Godly fathers-ungodly sons-22
We studied how Amnon raped his half sister and then discarded her like old clothes. Absalom took her in and plotted and planned his revenge as his father David did nothing.
2 Samuel 13:23 Now it came about after two full years that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 13:24 Absalom came to the king and said, "Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant."
Absalom is carefully setting his trap for Amnon while not directly calling any attention to Amnon. Two years have passed and as far as we know David has remained silent.
13:25 But the king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you." Although he urged him, he would not go, but blessed him. 13:26 Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." And the king said to him, "Why should he go with you?" 13:27 But when Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
Absalom did not give in easily and kept pressuring David to send all his sons to participate in this ‘celebration’. What else do the sons of a King have to do anyway? It would seem that Amnon had put it all behind him and thought Absalom had also. Time does not heal all wounds. Wounds that are not attended to do just get infected and worsened.
13:28 now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant." 13:29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose and each mounted his mule and fled.
Did no one question Absalom’s orders? Where his servants just doing their master’s bidding while they killed a son of the King? Had the Law never been taught to them?
2Sa 13:30 Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, "Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left."
13:31 Then the king arose, tore his clothes and lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. 13:32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, responded, "Do not let my lord suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead; because by the intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar.
13:33 "Now therefore, do not let my lord the king take the report to heart, namely, 'all the king's sons are dead,' for only Amnon is dead."
Here we see Jonadab again. He was the evil friend who gave Amnon the plan to rape Tamar.
13:3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd man.
It would appear that Jonadab changed sides or loyalties. He now reminded David of Amnon’s sin against Tamar, against Absalom, and even against David. It would almost appear that he knew about Absalom’s plan. Here we read that this had been Absalom’s intent since that day two years ago.
What have we learned?
Beware of from whom we get our advice.
David’s silence only fueled Absalom’ plans for revenge.
How could David’s sons have so little regard for others?
Where did God come into their lives as none sought God’s answers to their problems?
As we will read next week, Absalom was David’s favorite and again David did not say or do anything.
More next Saturday.