Daily Devotional for Monday, January 22

The Resolution

“So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan,” 2 Samuel 19:15.

The Greek historian Herodotus observed, “In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.” What a tragic but true statement about the war waged between King David and his men and his son Absalom and his followers. Now the final battle was over, and the victory was won. Instead of David enjoying the spoils of war or the accolades that come with victory, he was left to mourn the death of his beloved son Absalom. As Nathan had prophesied to David in response to his sin with Bath-sheba, the Lord had promised to “raise up evil against thee out of thine own house” (2 Samuel 12:11). David was watching this adversity unfold in front of his eyes. His sons Amnon and Absalom were both dead. His daughter Tamar had been assaulted. Most men can look with pride at their families. David looked at his family, and he mourned.

Thankfully, the people did not spend as much time in mourning as David did. They understood Absalom was dead, and they were ready to move on. “And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back” (verse 10). They likely did not understand the depth of sorrow David felt, and they were ready for the kingdom to be restored. Absalom’s rebellion had cost him his life. Thousands of Israelites had also lost their lives because of Absalom’s selfishness. No doubt David frequently remembered what the Lord had promised about the struggles his family would face. I wonder if he ever truly counted the cost of his sins. It is convicting to me that David’s sin resulted in so many people dying.

JUST A THOUGHT
Thomas Jefferson once said, “The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.” Likewise, even the most satisfying sin comes at a heavy cost. Sin is never worth what we pay for it.

Chris Floyd