2 Samuel 13:23-39 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Samuel 13:23-39. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
2 Samuel 13:23-35 (NIV)
23 Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there.
24 Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his officials please join me?”
25 “No, my son,” the king replied. “All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go, but gave him his blessing.
26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.” The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?”
27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.
28 Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Have not I given you this order? Be strong and brave.”
29 So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.
30 While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.”
31 The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
32 But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s expressed intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.
33 My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”
34 Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, “I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill.”
35 Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons are here; it has happened just as your servant said.”
On verses 23-35: Sometimes you’ll hear people say, “Time heals all wounds.” It doesn’t. We see that in Absalom’s case. Two years had passed since Amnon raped Absalom’s sister Tamar. During those two years, Absalom’s bitterness toward Amnon did not subside; rather Absalom held onto the grudge which eventually led him to mastermind Amnon’s murder. Inviting all the king’s sons to a dinner, Absalom orders his men to strike Amnon down when he is drunk and defenseless. After two years of holding a grudge and having the express intention of killing Amnon (v32), Absalom’s plan is realized.
What can we learn from this? Time alone doesn’t heal all wounds. In fact, some wounds get worse over time when not dealt with in a healthy and effective way. Left unchecked, bitterness can kill.
2 Samuel 13:36-39 (NIV)
36 As he finished speaking, the king’s sons came in, wailing loudly. The king, too, and all his servants wept very bitterly.
37 Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned for his son every day.
38 After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years.
39 And the spirit of the king longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.
On verses 36-39: David mourns for his son Amnon (v36). But Amnon is not the only son David lost during this time. Absalom himself flees to the King of Geshur and would stay in exile for 3 years (v38). After David was consoled over Amnon’s death, David longed to go to Absalom (v39).
What can we learn from this?
First, just as Absalom’s sin caused him to run away from his father and be separated from him, so our sin causes us to run away from God our heavenly Father and be separated from Him.
Second, despite the heinous crime Absalom committed and the devastation and loss Absalom caused, David still loved Absalom and did not want to be separated from him. Similarly, even though all of us have sinned greatly, God still loves us and His heart still longs to be with us.
Amnon was David’s firstborn son and presumably the heir to David’s throne. Amnon’s name means “faithful and trustworthy”, although Amnon’s actions toward Tamar were anything but. Amnon’s death would cause Absalom to be separated from his father.
In contrast, Jesus is known as the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15) and the heir to the Father’s throne. His name means “Saviour” and he truly lives up to His name. The death of David’s firstborn Amnon caused Absalom to be separated from his father. In contrast, the death of Jesus, the firstborn over all creation, has allowed us to be reunited with our heavenly Father.
Father, though time does not heal all wounds, thank You that there is healing in Jesus Christ Your Son. I pray for those reading today’s GAME sharing, that we would bring our hurts to You and find healing where You are. Thank You also that whereas Amnon’s death separated a father and a son, the death of Your Son Jesus meant that we could be reunited with You. I pray for all those in my life who do have not yet been reconciled to You. Like David’s heart longed to go to Absalom, so Your heart longs to go to them. I pray they would respond in faith to Jesus, His death and resurrection, and be reunited with You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
opyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
