A father’s heart

Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus:"O my son Absalom- my son, my son Absalom- if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!" – 2 Samuel 18v33

Isn’t it strange that every time one of David’s enemies dies he mourns? Here is foe is his own son, Absalom, who is leading a revolt against him.

Absalom is an interesting character. He is noted for his beautiful long flowing hair that, when he cut it once a year, weighed almost seven pounds. It might have been lovely, but it caused him trouble. One day, while out riding his hair got caught in the branch of a tree and jerked off his mount. While he was hanging there Joab came along and shot him with three arrows, killing him.

When the messenger arrived David was consumer with making sure that Absalom was okay. When the messenger told him that Absalom was dead David grieved over him. The civil war was over, the threat to his throne was vanquished, but David mourned.

Absalom was, after all, David’s son. No matter what he had done or how much trouble he had caused his was still ‘flesh of his flesh.’

What I admire about David in these situations that he does not allow his heart to be moved by circumstance and pragmatism. Over and over he was more concerned about the loss of people he cared about than the military consequences and his victories.

Maybe this is part of the reason he is called a man after God’s own heart.