The 2 Samuel reading listed above is pretty sad....dysfunctional families at their best! David's son Absalom had a beautiful sister, Tamar, that her half-brother Amnon raped. Here was how king David and Absalom handled it:
2 Samuel 13:21 When King David heard what had happened, he was very angry.22 And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about this, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister.
So instead of confronting what happened head on, they both pretty much 'ignored' it, hoping it would work itself out. Well, it didn't work itself out..Absalom ended up killing Amnon and stirring up a rebellion against David. The short story is that Absalom ended up being killed against David's wishes, even though he was trying to overthrow and kill king David. That's pretty much where Chapter 18 ends...the king mourning the loss of his son Absalom, which demoralized his army.
What is the lesson in all of this for us? Don't sweep things under the rug, but work them out. If not, they will come back to haunt you.
And now for a Psalm that I will cling to as I continue to ask God for healing for my back:
Psalm 40
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.
6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—
you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:
8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart.”
9 I have told all your people about your justice.
I have not been afraid to speak out,
as you, O Lord, well know.
10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles surround me—
too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
I have lost all courage.
13 Please, Lord, rescue me!
Come quickly, Lord, and help me.
16 But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord is thinking about me right now.
You are my helper and my savior.
O my God, do not delay.
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