2 Samuel 15: 1-6  

 

Absalom was the third born son of David. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. He was the son and the grandson of kings. He was praised above all others in Israel for his good looks. And he knew how to use them, charming all Israel not only by his appearance, but with his endearing words. Yet, Absalom, whose name means, “My father is peace” (“Ab” = “father” + “shalom” = “peace”), brought rebellion to his father’s house.

 

Ironically, it wasn’t his father’s peace, but his passivity that opened the door to Absalom’s treason. After David had passively stayed home from war with Ammon, he fell into sin with a married woman, committing adultery and having her husband murdered to cover it up. The prophet Nathan delivered God’s judgment that even though the Lord had forgiven him, the “sword would never depart” from his house (2 Sam.12:10). The sins of the father would become the sins of the sons.

 

David’s firstborn, Amnon, committed adultery with his half-sister, Tamar, the full-sister of Absalom. Although David was angry, he did nothing...... 

 

So, Absalom took matters into his own hands and conspired to have Amnon killed. After he fled to his mother’s family for a while, David later invited him back home, yet did not meet with him to address what had happened. Over time, Absalom took advantage of David’s passivity and began to woo the people to see him as their new king.

 

David heard about Absalom’s behavior, riding about in a horse drawn chariot with 50 men running before him, sitting as a judge in the city gates, offering to be a better king to anyone who would listen. But David took no action. So, Absalom “stole the hearts” of Israel and went to Hebron to declare himself king. So David fled from Jerusalem to hide from his own son.

 

Absalom was named to be the son of his father’s peace. Yet in reality, he was the son of his father’s passivity. And passive fathers often produce rebellious sons.

 

There are great leadership lessons to learn from the story of David and Absalom. We need to strive to be proactive in our leadership, addressing issues with wisdom and courage!

Prayer Points:

 

1. Father, grant us the wisdom and courage to lead proactively, addressing issues with discernment and strength, so that we may foster unity and prevent rebellion in our families and communities.

 

2. Ask God to heal and restore you for any passivity or neglect that may have caused you/is causing you a loss. 

 

3. Father, give us the strength to confront sin and wrongdoing with love and justice. 

 

4. Father, help us to be instruments of Your peace, bridging divides and fostering harmony.