ABSALOM SERIES: THE RETURN HOME

2 Samuel 14 continues the story of Absalom, who spent the last three years with his maternal grandfather Talmai the king of Geshur, due to the assassination he orchestrated of his brother Amnon. Additionally, during these years, King David had accepted the death of Amnon and begun to miss his son Absalom. Knowing this, King David’s nephew Joab who was also captain of the army, devised a plan to bring Absalom home.

Joab got a wise woman from Tekoah and coached her in presenting a fictitious story to King David about the demands of her relatives to punish her son for slaying his brother. If the man were penalized with death, the widow would be left without support, and her family would be minus an heir. After hearing the story, along with the woman’s persistent urging, King David empathized with the slayer and granted him protection. Then, the woman relates this story to King David’s situation with Absalom and asks the king to be merciful to Absalom as he had been to her son. The king realized that Joab orchestrated this dialogue, which the women admitted to him, and the king then instructs the grateful Joab to go and fetch Absalom home. Absalom returned to his home; however, he was not permitted to have an audience with the king

In the middle of chapter fourteen, there is a pause in the events to describe the beauty of Absalom. Apparently, he was without blemish, had terrific features, and a full head of hair that was cut yearly. Included in this information was the fact that Absalom had three sons (it is believed these sons died at a young age for no further reference is made of them) and one beautiful daughter, whose name was Tamar.

The story resumes in verse twenty-eight, revealing for two whole years, Absalom lived in Jerusalem without being allowed to see his father. Tiring this treatment, Absalom sent for Joab several times, but he refused to come. Hence, Absalom had his servants set Joab’s barley field on fire, to which Joab responded. Joab met with Absalom who requested him to take this message to his father, “Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me” (2 Samuel 14:32-33). Joab met with the king and gave him the message from Absalom. King David consented to meet with Absalom, who bowed himself before the king upon meeting. The chapter ends with these five words, “and the king kissed Absalom.”

Much of this chapter spoke about the events that led to Absalom’s return home, and since I just gave a summary as I did for the previous chapter, I recommended that you read it for more details. Now here are some truths (spiritual nuggets) that I gained from this chapter:

• When possible, seek family reconciliation.
• Confront issues.
• Some stories presented to you as truth may be fabricated.
• People often present information to you, but they have hidden agendas in doing so.
• When you are inconsistent in your actions, people will take note of it
• When confronted, tell the truth.
• Often people are attracted to a person’s beauty and overlook their character.
• Under duress, people’s true character will be revealed.
• Time exposes one’s true character
• Don’t be fooled by what you see; people can hide their true feelings about you.
• All obeisance is not sincere
• Forgiveness comes with a price.

Also, as I did in my last blog, I want to share some key characteristics of those who exhibit an Absalom spirit:

• They become mad when intimacy is lacking.
• They want to be close to those in leadership.
• They are ill-equipped to resolve issues.
• When provoked, hostile tendencies are subject to surface.

Finally,  my prayer for all of us is that the Spirit of Absalom will not be found in us.