2 Samuel 14:12-17
Verse 17 “And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king secure my inheritance, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. May the Lord your God be with you.’”
The woman which had been hired by Joab to help David understand the importance of reconciling with his son, Absalom had given her story and having it accepted by David asks if she can ask one more question. This of course wasn’t a question of her own inquisitive mind but of the well-planned speech of Joab.
The king’s willingness to listen to this woman tells us about David’s respect for people he came in contact with. As king he didn’t have to listen to her first request and yet he is willing to listen to a second request after granting her the first. He seemed to be touched by her sad story and he wanted to help her in any way he could. As we mentioned yesterday, the king likely felt some connection with her because of Absalom killing Amnon. His level of sympathy for her speaks of the gracious nature of God flowing through him.
What the king wasn’t expecting was the convicting nature of her second question. Joab knew David would have his heart softened by the first question preparing him for the heart of the visit. Using the words Joab had given her to say, the woman says, “Aren’t you hurting your inheritance and the whole nation’s inheritance? Isn’t this kingdom God’s kingdom and so shouldn’t your reign reflect that of the Father?” She was putting the whole picture into perspective for him. What really mattered wasn’t what Absalom had done, it was about David’s reaction to it.
This thought must have given David pause. His son hadn’t even felt safe to come back into the kingdom after killing his brother. David knew why he had done it and it wasn’t just murder for the sake of killing, it was to avenge his sister’s honor when no one else had. David hadn’t had to run from God when he took Bathsheba. When the wrong was pointed out to him he didn’t fear turning to God in repentance. David was learning he wasn’t like God the Father in his parenting.
Just as the woman had requested that any criticism fall on her and her son, not on the king and his kingdom, she is now trying to help the king understand that he should do what he can so that the fallout of his relationship with his son doesn’t reflect on the name of the Lord. As king, David had a special responsibility through his example to help the nation of Israel know God was a God of reconciliation.
Making It Personal
When have you worked at reconciliation with someone? What was your reason for seeking reconciliation? Has someone desired reconciliation with you?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever wanted to be friends again with someone who you used to be friends with but who has been upset with you? What can you do to be friends with them again? Has anyone wanted to be friends with you again?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for wanting to be reconciled with us. Give us hearts which seek reconciliation with others, especially those in the Christian family. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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