2 Samuel 18:33

New International Version (NIV)

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!”

For Meditation

David did everything to protect him. After all, Absalom was his son, and he loved him. Even when Absalom killed his own half-brother, Amnon, and fled Jerusalem, David’s spirit longed for Absalom and so he easily acquiesced to Joab’s intervention and brought him back. When Absalom conspired against him, David left Jerusalem without a fight. But now, Absalom has come after his own father with the army of Israel, and David has no recourse but to fight back. As his fighting men marched out against Absalom, David made a final plea for the life of his beloved prince charming, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake”. However, Joab had had enough of Absalom, and so he killed him.

1. Can you hear David’s heart, as it cries out for Absalom (2 Sam. 18:33)?
2. Do you hear the expression of the full extent of David’s love for his rebellious son (33b)?
3. Can you discern David’s hope for Absalom to repent and be reconciled to him?
4. Do you see in David’s story, a perfect picture of God’s love for the world (Jn. 3:16) and the sacrifice He made for us in Christ Jesus (Rm. 5:8)?
5. Do you sense in it, how much God longs for the sinner to repent (2 Pt. 3:9) and be reconciled to Him (2 Cor. 5:20)? Why then should anyone persist in their rebellion and perish like Absalom?

Maybe you’re praying for a beloved child who is living in rebellion like Absalom. I pray you will be assured that God loves that child much more, and that His heart is after them to save.

So: May we all see the urgency of the gospel message and carry it swiftly to everyone who will listen; and may our fervent prayers open the heart of the sinner to the gospel message (Titus 2:11), so that they may not perish like Absalom.

The heart that grieves for the lost soul is like the heart of God for the world.

Shalom