Today's treasure: 2 Samuel 14:14
Reflect on previous lesson. Two years had passed since Amnon's crime against Tamar.
What do you think might have been going ob during those years in the minds of Tamar, Amnon, Absalom, David?
What evidence could you offer to support the idea that Absalom was counting on his father's unwillingness to attend his celebration?
Did you note the false first report David received and that Jonadab was the one who told the king not to be concerned? How do you suppose Jonadab knew that only Amnon was dead?
How was Jonadab identified in 2 Samuel 13:3?
Based on verse 32, why do you think the 'shrewd' Jonadab might have played both sides of the conflict between Amnon and Absalom?
When they returned, what was the condition of David's sons?
Two years passed. Bitterness multiplied in Absalom's heart. That's the nature of bitterness, it never stays in its cage. Absalom must have watched and waited to see if his father would call Amnon to account for his crime. His father didn't.
Absalom waited for an opportunity. He devised an elaborate scheme to summon Amnon to his house. The time of sheep shearing was a festive occasion with huge family celebration. Absalom seized the opportunity, counting on his father to continue in distancing himself from family obligations and celebrations. When David refused to come, Absalom requested Amnon's presence in his place, assuming no one would be suspicious. Customarily, the oldest son represented his father in the father's absence.
David may have been suspicious since he questioned Absalom's choice, but he may have concluded no grounds existed to refuse Amnon the right to attend the celebration. David sent Amnon and the rest of his sons--never to see his eldest again. You may have noticed Absalom did not take the sword to Amnon himself, but, like his father, involved subordinates in the crime.
Jonadab reared his ugly head in another scandalous scheme. He would never have known Absalom's plans had he not become his confidant. The tragedy ends with one son dead, one son missing, and a father grief stricken. David had two responses toward Absalom after Amnon's death: he mourned for him and longed for him. Remember when David became furious over Amnon's sin but did nothing? He had the appropriate feelings but inappropriate actions. Once again David felt the right thing and did the wrong thing
2 Samuel 14:1-33
Why do you think Joab devised a method somewhat like a parable to get through to David?
Cousin Joab refused to come when Absalom finally got his attention by setting his field on fire.
We've seen some of the complications of family dynamics. What in the world was David doing? His heart was too complex for us to risk conjecture, yet one thing was obvious. Again he refused to take action regarding his family.
Have you ever experienced the frustration of someone close to you refusing to take responsibility?
Joab had obviously witnessed David's irresponsibility toward Absalom for as long as he intended. He devised a plan to capture David's attention. Through a concocted story of a woman and her prodigal son, Joab convinced David to summon Absalom.
We sometimes resist seeing the sin in our own lives. When the preacher uses an illustration of someone else's sin, we're often ready to judge just like David. Then the blade of conviction slices our hearts and the Holy Spirit says, "you are that person." Twice the method worked to penetrate David's heart. More than twice God has used this approach to penetrate mine.
David granted Joab's request and let him summon Absalom. Joab joyfully hastened to bring the young man home, no doubt picturing emotional reunion of father and son--only to be met with these words from the king: "He must go to his own house; he must not see my face" (v. 24)
David did not respond like the father in Christ's parable--the father who searched the horizon daily for his son to come home.
Some things in life aer do-overs. God sometimes gives us a second chance to do something right. Some chances never come back around. The chance for David and Absalom to be completely reunited in their hearts would not come again. By this time David finally received Absalom, his son's heart was cold. Do you find yourself like me, wishing God had told you more about David and Absalom's reunion? I believe God didn't tell us more because there was nothing more to tell. Nothing else happened. The actions of David and his son were generated by custom, not emotion. Fearing his son would do something more than set Joab's field on fire, David summoned Absalom to appease him, not accept him. Absalom sought his father's face to force David to look him in the eye, not to beg forgiveness like the prodigal.
God is never in the wrong when He and one of His children are separated, yet He devises ways so that the banished person may not remain estranged from Him. Never underestimate the significance of timing when it comes to mending. You may not get another chance.
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