David - Part VI

Vacuums Get Filled

Life is a patient teacher, and many of its lessons are repeated throughout the ages. The story of the life of David offers many lessons, and many of the ones from the last 20+ years of his life are consequences of the vacuum that David created by his poor judgement and lack of activity.

By the time of David’s and Bathsheba’s union, some of David’s children were grown. Among these were Amnon (his oldest son), Absalom (his third oldest son) and Tamar (his daughter). (Note: We never hear about David’s second oldest son, Daniel.) Absalom and Tamar were brother and sister, and Amnon was their half-brother. Tamar was beautiful, and Amnon lusted after her, leading him to devise a scheme to lure her into his chambers and have her. The encounter ended in rape, and even worse, with Amnon disgracing Tamar by putting her out. Absalom learned of what happened and took Tamar in, asking her to not speak of this, and not to worry about it (letting her know he would deal with it). I think the following passage speaks to the complete dysfunction of David’s household.

2 Samuel 13:21-22 When King David heard what had happened, he was very angry. And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about this, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister.

Although David was angry, he took no action. But Absalom was not willing to let it go.

2 Samuel 13:23-29 -  Two years later, when Absalom’s sheep were being sheared at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, Absalom invited all the king’s sons to come to a feast. ²⁴ He went to the king and said, “My sheep-shearers are now at work. Would the king and his servants please come to celebrate the occasion with me?”

The king replied, “No, my son. If we all came, we would be too much of a burden on you.” Absalom pressed him, but the king would not come, though he gave Absalom his blessing.

“Well, then,” Absalom said, “if you can’t come, how about sending my brother Amnon with us?”

“Why Amnon?” the king asked. But Absalom kept on pressing the king until he finally agreed to let all his sons attend, including Amnon. So Absalom prepared a feast fit for a king.

Absalom told his men, “Wait until Amnon gets drunk; then at my signal, kill him! Don’t be afraid. I’m the one who has given the command. Take courage and do it!” So at Absalom’s signal they murdered Amnon. Then the other sons of the king jumped on their mules and fled.

Absalom fled too, heading to the land of the Philistines, which was the ancestral home of his mother (his grandfather was the king of Geshur). At this point, David became despondent, and fell into a pattern of inactivity. Interestingly, he did not grieve for his son Amnon, but spent his time grieving for Absalom. During this time, his kingdom was crumbling around him, and Joab (David’s friend and the commander of David’s army) became desperate to help. So, he devised a plan to (2 Samuel 14) to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem so that David will stop grieving his absence. But David was not willing to allow Absalom to reenter the palace.

2 Samuel 14:25-33 - Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot. He cut his hair only once a year, and then only because it was so heavy. When he weighed it out, it came to five pounds! He had three sons and one daughter. His daughter’s name was Tamar, and she was very beautiful.

Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years, but he never got to see the king. Then Absalom sent for Joab to ask him to intercede for him, but Joab refused to come. Absalom sent for him a second time, but again Joab refused to come. So Absalom said to his servants, “Go and set fire to Joab’s barley field, the field next to mine.” So they set his field on fire, as Absalom had commanded.

Then Joab came to Absalom at his house and demanded, “Why did your servants set my field on fire?”

And Absalom replied, “Because I wanted you to ask the king why he brought me back from Geshur if he didn’t intend to see me. I might as well have stayed there. Let me see the king; if he finds me guilty of anything, then let him kill me.”

So Joab told the king what Absalom had said. Then at last David summoned Absalom, who came and bowed low before the king, and the king kissed him.

Now, Absalom had more in his mind than reconciling with his father. He had his eyes on the kingdom, and since David was not acting like a leader, Absalom decided he would fill the void (see 2 Samuel 15). So, he bought a chariot and horses, and hired men to run with him, and he portrayed himself as a man who would be king. He stationed himself outside the city gate, and met people who wished to see David to have their matters judged. And, slowly, as David continued to do nothing, Absalom began to win over the people. When it was clear that his support had become substantial, and many people had lost faith in David, Absalom went to Hebron, raised an army, and marched on Jerusalem to overthrow his father and become king.

David and his faithful learn that Absalom is coming, and they flee the city. Then Absalom gathers his advisers and plots a course of action to pursue David and his followers, with the intention of killing David. But, one of David’s faithful is actually posing as an adviser to Absalom (2 Samuel 17), and causes just enough delay for David and his followers to find safety, regroup, and gain strength. Ultimately, this leads to Absalom’s defeat and death (2 Samuel 18), and grieving from David and nearly costs him the kingdom for good.

2 Samuel 19:1-8 - Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness. They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle. The king covered his face with his hands and kept on crying, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves. You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.”

So the king went out and took his seat at the town gate, and as the news spread throughout the town that he was there, everyone went to him.

Afterwards, there was considerable division in Israel, and David had a lot of work to do to reunite the kingdom. Unfortunately, he showed poor judgement in his handling of things, and ultimately caused further rebellion within Israel from a man named Sheba and his followers. Eventually, David’s kingdom was restored, but he was never the same.

David become further removed in his old age, forgets his promise to Bathsheba, and ultimately causes the death of his fourth son Adonijah at the hands of his young son Solomon (1 Kings 1).

David was clearly paralyzed by his sin. His actions in the latter part of his life point to considerable depression, and collateral damage to those around him was considerable. And yet, David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22). People are often perplexed by that statement. But God meets us where we are, knowing our human side, and turns our mistakes into victories. Like us, David failed again and again. Like us, the Lord loved David, and David loved the Lord. Read Psalm 31:9-24. I believe David wrote this in his last years, and revealed his true self.

Psalm 31: 9-24 - Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.
    Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away.
I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness.
Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.
I am scorned by all my enemies
    and despised by my neighbors—
    even my friends are afraid to come near me.
When they see me on the street,
    they run the other way.
I am ignored as if I were dead,
    as if I were a broken pot.
I have heard the many rumors about me,
    and I am surrounded by terror.
My enemies conspire against me,
    plotting to take my life.

But I am trusting you, O Lord,
    saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands.
    Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Let your favor shine on your servant.
    In your unfailing love, rescue me.
Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord,
    for I call out to you for help.
Let the wicked be disgraced;
    let them lie silent in the grave.^[a]
Silence their lying lips—
    those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

How great is the goodness
    you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
    blessing them before the watching world.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
    safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
    far from accusing tongues.

Praise the Lord,
    for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
    He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
In panic I cried out,
    “I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
    and answered my call for help.

Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
    For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
    but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
So be strong and courageous,
    all you who put your hope in the Lord!