Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

16 May 2024

Reading From II Samuel 16-18

“The king asked the Cushite, ‘Is the young man Absalom safe?’

The Cushite replied, ‘May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.’

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: ‘O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!’”

–II Samuel 18:32-33

     King David’s son Absalom had risen up in rebellion against his own father.  It is remarkable to me how strong David’s love for his son was.  Even while Absalom was attempting to kill David and usurp the throne, David still loved and cared about him.  In learning about Amnon and Tamar, I find that although David was furious about what his son had done to his daughter, I cannot find where the king actually did anything about it.  King David should have been the first one to be sure that his daughter was cared for and his son was brought to justice.  Instead, Absalom took matters into his own hands and murdered his brother Amnon.

     There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of discipline among the children of David.  Proverbs 3:12 gives the excellent parenting advice, “The Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”  It is important to correct kids immediately and consistently.  Otherwise, they will test the boundaries to see how far a mom or dad can be pushed and they will pick up on any inconsistencies which will lead to a lack of trust in the family.  Controlled, wise discipline shows love.  The opposite is true for those who do not discipline their children.  Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”  Abuse is never appropriate, but loving discipline is vital.

     After Absalom and taken vengeance on Amnon for raping Tamar, he fled and lived with his grandfather.  David wanted to be reconciled with his son, but the king did not pursue him.  To pursue restoration would have meant having to confront his son and both would have had to admit his own mistakes.  Instead, David avoided confrontation and Absalom stewed in his own bitterness.  This bitterness grew until Absalom gathered forces to rebel against the king which ended in death for the prince.  His brother Adonijah would also stage a coup a few years later and Scripture reveals, “His father had never rebuked him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?’ He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.”[1]  This lack of discipline ended in disaster. 

“God, I pray that You would show me the way forward in my life.  Keep my feet from stumbling as much as possible.  When I do make a mistake, I pray that I will accept correction with a humble heart.  Make me teachable and mold me into the man You want me to be.  Give me the courage and wisdom to discipline my children with love and consistency.  May they grow up to be devoted followers of You, Lord.  Amen.”

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

–Ephesians 6:4

All your children will be taught by the Lord,
    and great will be their peace.

–Isaiah 54:13

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[1] I Kings 1:6