October 19, 2024 - 2 Samuel 19:1-8
October 19, 2024 - 2 Samuel 19:1-8
19 It was told Joab, “Behold, the king is
weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 So the victory
that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that
day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 And the
people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when
they flee in battle. 4 The king covered his
face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom,
my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to
the king and said, “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your
servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your
daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 6 because
you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it
clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know
that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be
pleased. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and
speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not
go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you
than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.” 8 Then
the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all
told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before
the king.
Now Israel had fled every man to his own home.
Here we see a father’s deep grief and yet we see Joab
give David a mouthful. Joab wanted David to understand that these people had
fought for David and risked their life in battle. He did not sense an attitude
of gratitude in David. Joab encouraged David to go out and speak kindly to the
Israelites.
How easy it would be to not be grateful to your people
when your heart is choked in grief. May we always be grateful for what God has
done for us, even in the darkest of times. Easy to say and so hard to do. All
we can do is cry out to our Savior. May we never forget that He is always with
us.
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