2 Samuel 13 & 14 – Amnon, Absalom, and David

Dear God, this story isn’t as much about sin as it is about how we handle our anger. There are people making mistakes all over the place here.

1. Amnon raped his sister and destroyed her life.
2. David, for whatever reason, did nothing about it.
3. Absalom, for whatever reason (perhaps he knew David wouldn’t allow it), never called out Amnon for what he did, but instead spent two years planning his murder.
4. David had no idea how to handle any of this and only made things worse at every turn.

One of the lessons for me, I believe, is that there needs to be an acknowledgment of sin when I commit it, a wise, appropriate confrontation of sin when I witness it, and an emotional letting go of my anger after the sin is confronted. That doesn’t mean that something like what Amnon did shouldn’t be punished. It means that what everyone did here was the absolute worst thing they could have done.

My wife and I were talking this morning about someone with whom we are both angry. She is having a harder time with her anger than I am, but that is just in this case. I have a harder time than she does with others. But what will either of us do with our anger? Will it consume us until we plot revenge, or will be confront and release?

Father, there are some huge lessons in here for us. This story will continue with Absalom’s rebellion and attempt to overthrow David. More pain is in all of their futures, including Israel’s. Help my wife and me to not let these cancers of anger and hatred grow. Remove them through the power of your blood and your grace.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen