Forgiveness for all
2 Samuel 18:19 – Chapter 19
Today’s reading has several examples of David’s unending willingness to forgive, as he welcomes back one after another of the men who betrayed him in Absalom’s rebellion.
Nowhere do we see it more, though, than in his passionate reaction to Absalom’s death: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”
In fact, his grief over Absalom’s death is so intense that it deflates the morale of the warriors who have just saved him and his kingdom. Joab confronts David with that, saying, “You love those who hate you and hate those who love you.”
The first part of the statement is clearly true, when you look at the love David has shown toward Saul and Absalom and the others who betrayed him. As for hating those who love him, that appears to be more a matter of failing to consider the impact his forgiveness of his enemies will have on his friends.
Joab’s accusation, though brings to mind the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
David does, though, heed Joab’s request and gets up from his mourning to face his men as a king should. That action is reminiscent of the way he got up from his mourning after the death of the child Bathsheba bore—though clearly a passionate man, David is able to put duty before emotion.