Friday 8th November
Read 2 Samuel 13:23-29
“Two years later, when Absalom’s sheep-shearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there. 24 Absalom went to the king and said, ‘Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?’
25 ‘No, my son,’ the king replied. ‘All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.’ Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave him his blessing.
26 Then Absalom said, ‘If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.’
The king asked him, ‘Why should he go with you?’ 27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.
28 Absalom ordered his men, ‘Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, “Strike Amnon down,” then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.’ 29 So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.” (NIVUK)
Two years. A lot can happen in two years. Yet nothing has. Amnon has not been punished.
Absalom has not forgotten though. He carefully crafts matters to place Amnon within his grasp. Spend time marvelling at the cunning way in which he manipulates his father into allowing Amnon to fall into his trap. He invites the king’s court to travel the 22km north to celebrate the shearing, knowing that his father would demur. He even urges him after his father says no, leaving David with little room to move when his real desire is revealed. David knows something is wrong and questions it. But backed into a corner he can’t help but send the crown prince in his place – but he sends all his sons as well. As insurance?
It matters not. Absalom was always going to murder his brother. David’s inaction in punishing Amnon left space for Absalom’s all-too-human punishment and execution. A tragedy two years in the making. Or the fulfilment of God’s word. Both are true.
