Bible Reading Blog
“The Father's Love”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 18
“Joab took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak.” (2 Samuel 18.14)
Absalom, caught in a tree by the pride of head [2 Samuel 14.26; 18.9], is served a violent death. This seemed to Joab a fitting ending to this rebellion. A fierce supporter of David, Joab showed no mercy to the enemies of the king (see also 2 Samuel 3.26-30; 20.8-13). With Absalom dead, David’s right to lead was now reestablished (2 Samuel 19.9-10). Messengers ran to bring David the good news; but he would not rejoice on this day. This victory came at a great cost that grieved the heart of David.
“…the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18.33)
Despite Absalom’s rebellion, David did not seek his harm (2 Samuel 18.5). David’s response to this news caused some to be angry (19.5-7), but he could not rejoice in this loss. Absalom was not merely an enemy; he was his son. The love of this father was so great, he would have given himself in Absalom’s place.
The emotional struggle David felt tugs at the heart of most parents. Even if our children reject our counsel, go behind our back and become our enemies, we would still desire to see their good. Why? Because they are our children, and we love them.
As imperfectly as David and we demonstrate this, it points to a powerful truth about God’s nature as “the Father of all” (Ephesians 4.6). “For God so loved the world that he gave…” (John 3.16). “…God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us… while we were enemies…” (Romans 5.8, 10). God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” (Exodus 34.6; Psalm 86.15), “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3.9). Although right and just in his actions, God does not rejoice at the downfall of his creation (Ezekiel 18.23, 32; 33.11; 2 Timothy 2.4).
The rebellion of our sin grieves God, but in his perfect mercy and love, he so desired our well-being that he was willing to suffer in our place (Isaiah 53.5). “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us…” (1 John 3.16). Thank God his heart is not for harm but for good, even to his enemies who we once were (Ephesians 5.10; Colossians 1.21). But His Sovereign love must not simply be accepted; it must also compel us (2 Corinthians 5.14). Having become his children, how much more should we give thanks and reflect this love to others for whom Christ died?
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are... Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3.1-ff)
