The King Was Grieved For His Son

2 Samuel 19:1-2, “And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.”

The event preceding this passage of Scripture is the war that takes place between David and his son Absalom. As I’m sure you know, Absalom’s life ended when his hair got him stuck in a tree and he was struck with darts. Many people thought that King David would be happy and relieved that his “enemy” was no more, but that was not the case. We see this in the two verses before this chapter.

2 Samuel 18:32-33, “And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Though Absolam fought against the King, his father, David was still sorrowful and heartbroken from how it ended. The application I want to take from piggybacks off of yesterday’s post. We can choose to live our life our own way if we want to. However, we will be just like Absolam and bring sorrow to our Father. Like Absolam broke David’s heart, we break the heart of God when we choose to do things our own way.

David weeped and mourned for Absolam and even stated that he wished he could’ve died for him. Well, unlike David was able to do for his son, we have a Father who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. Because of this alone, He is worthy of our best each and every day. Too many people want to get mad at God for what He does or doesn’t do, but they don’t stop to realize that He has already done for us far more than we deserve. If we choose to turn our back on the Lord, not only are we giving occasion to enemy (yesterday’s post), but we are bringing sorrow to our Father and breaking his heart.

The choice for us is quite simple. We can do our own thing, but the Bible clearly states in James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” The other choice would be to live for God and reap the blessings and joy of living an obedient life. The choice is simple, but it is one that each and everyone of us MUST make. Will you cause grievance for your King or will He be pleased with your life?