October 4, 2024 - 2 Samuel 14:18-24

October 4, 2024 - 2 Samuel 14:18-24

 

18  Then the king answered the woman, “Do not hide from me anything I ask you.” And the woman said, “Let my lord the king speak.”  19  The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered and said, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, one cannot turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has said. It was your servant Joab who commanded me; it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your servant.  20  In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth.” 21  Then the king said to Joab, “Behold now, I grant this; go, bring back the young man Absalom.”  22  And Joab fell on his face to the ground and paid homage and blessed the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has granted the request of his servant.”  23  So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.  24  And the king said, “Let him dwell apart in his own house; he is not to come into my presence.” So Absalom lived apart in his own house and did not come into the king’s presence.

 

The king discovers Joab’s plan through the honesty of the woman and orders Joab to bring Absalom to him.  His promise to keep Absalom safe will be honored but Absalom will be set apart in his own home never to be in the presence of the king.

 

Joab was quick to respond and obeyed the king.  Do you think Joab’s heart is changing?  Is there a situation in your family where you need a heart change?  Ask God to reveal himself to you and guide you as you seek change, forgiveness and perhaps even reconciliation.

 

Is there a time when all your efforts to reconcile have been expended?  Earnestly seek God, his Word, an honest Christian friend or even Christian counseling as the Holy Spirit speaks in truth to your heart.