Thursday June 9th, 2011 If only

 Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 18:33
 Read 2 Samuel 18: 1-18


  Why do you think David might have wanted to lead the battle himself?
 Why didn't David's men want him to go to battle?
What were David's specific instructions to Joab (v. 5)?
 what strange accident happened to Absalom?


  At one time Absalom was a handsome and compassionate man.  He loved his sister deeply, grieving the shame Amnon heaped on her.  He made a place for her in his own home.  He named his daughter in her honor.  He tried to do the right things for Tamar, but ended up doing all the wrong things for himself.
  Absalom wasn't the first nor the last person to confront the cold, hard fact life isn't fair.  God is fair though.  He will ultimately settle all scores and make wrongs right.  
  The real issue is how we will respond to the difficult and painful events that happen in life.  
  Absalom didn't feel any better after Amnon was in the grave, nor when David let him return to Jerusalem without punishment, or after he was summoned to the king's quarters and reunited with his sister.  He ultimately possessed as little self control as the brother he despised and his lack of self control killed him.
  
  Another figure to come to mind is Samson that lived outside of the restraints of self control all of his adult life.
  We can only shake ourselves free so many times.  If we keep flirting with disaster, we're going to get trapped.  Unrestraints will catch up with us.
  The picture of his death was the picture of his life:  the noose of bitterness chocking the captive's cry.  In the end, those close enough to hear him choking no longer cared.  
  
  The people of Israel often set up stones as a memorial of a never to be forgotten event.  The piles of stones taught lessons either good or bad.  The rocks over the bodies of Achan and Absalom did not just keep animals away; they served as a traitor's reminder. 
  Through bitterness Absalom's heart became as hard and cold as the pillar he raised.  Even though David committed many sins and was unfair to others, his heart did not grow cold.