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Larry Miller

Philosopher, Pundit, Purveyor of Hope

Good Man, Not So Good Father

This is a sad story about one of God's most favored people. Many people know the story of how David's son Absolom attempted to usurp the throne and replace his father as King of Israel. However, there is much more to the story and, while Absolom should not be excused, it is helpful to look deeper into the things that brought him to that decision.

The story begins when his brother Ammon raped their sister Tamar. Absolom was rightly angered and did his best to take care of his sister whose life was shattered by the attack. He did not do anything immediately, but his anger burned.

After a time he led his brother to believe things were alright between them. Ammon trusted him and when they were alone, Absolom took revenge and stabbed him to death. These were violent times and, while there were no legal consequences when the king's son took a life, but Absolom still thought it best to leave the area.

After several years, David wanted his son, whom he loved, to come home, so he sent for him and he was brought back to Jerusalem. Absolom was given a home and he lived like the prince he was. However, for two years, David could not bring himself to face the young man.

This hurt Absolom deeply and the Bible tells us that during this time his heart became bitter. David was a man after God's own heart we are told, but he was still a man with human failures. He was unable to see what is rejection was doing to the son who longed for his love an approval. David loved Absolom, but could not bring himself to show it... and the seeds of rebellion were planted.

Eventually Absolom gathered people around himself and declared himself to be king in his father's place. Without going into the details that can be found in the book of Samuel, David sent his army out to stop the rebellion but gave careful instructions that his son was not to be harmed.

Joab, David's military leader, was more of a political realist and he killed Absolom, believing he was doing the king a service. However when David received word of his son's death, he wept for days and replaced Joab with another.

Would David's acceptance of his son kept the rebellion from forming and prevented his early death? To say would only be conjecture, but David's human frailties, in spite of the unconditional acceptance he received from his Creator certainly stoked the flames of rebellion that led to the tragic results.

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