A family divided

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Greg Nixon answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

If they weren’t a true and historical account, these chapters wouldn’t seem out of place in a season of Game of Thrones. Despite the technological and social progress of the last 3,000 years, we see that people are still people – the same motivations, struggles and desires are common then and today.

I like that although in previous chapters David has expressed concern about the sons of Zeruiah being “too strong for [him]”, Joab is a faithful servant who is at least partially able to turn David’s heart back to Absalom through another story – similar to the story God told David through Nathan earlier. Even if all the thanks Joab got was for Absalom to set his field on fire!

We may not all be members of an earthly royal family (though praise God that through Jesus we are members of an eternal heavenly royal family), but the experience of Amnon to desire someone then despise them; of Absalom to practice cold and calculated revenge; of David to hold back, ignore and distance; of Absalom to usurp; and of David to run; are sadly all too familiar.

So whilst I don’t like all of what we read here, I like that in these few chapters there is a rich description of how our minds can work when “things don’t go our way”, and of what happens when we pursue selfish desires and retaliation. What’s the other way? To thank God for what He has given us, and to trust Him for justice: “it is mine to avenge, I will repay” (Romans 12v19, quoting Deuteronomy 32v35).

Through all this, whilst David is fleeing, he does seem to turn his heart back to God. Though much has been taken from him, he is confident of whatever future God will bring about (15v25-26, 15v31, 16v12).

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

That what God had promised to David would happen, was happening – albeit in a tragic and painful way. God keeps His promises, whether they be promises of disaster after Israel goes against His ways and warnings, or promises to show love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I think I’m going to be less surprised by some of the rubbish and mess in the world around us, but more confident that God is big enough to sort through it all, and redeem and restore it. Hopefully that will mean I live more freely, able to be turned more easily by Holy Spirit’s leading, rather than struggling with others – after all, our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6v12).

Who am I going to share this with?

My family.