And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead. And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him. And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee. (2 Sam. 14:4-8)
Joab sent a widow to tell a tale of woe reminiscent of David’s situation with Absalom and Amnon whom Absalom slew in revenge for Tamar. Absalom had fled to Geshur, the land of his maternal grandfather, and David had not made any attempt to restore his son or to settle his family problems, but had simply let Absalom go away from Israel. Joab stirred David’s heart with the fanciful tale of the widow and her sons, so that David recalled Absalom to Israel through Joab. David recognized the hand of Joab and had Absalom come home, but banished him to his own house and resolved not to meet face to face until Absalom forced Joab’s hand to arrange a meeting with David his father.
Though the loss of Amnon at Absalom’s hand upset David, he did not seek Absalom’s life knowing what precipitated Absalom’s actions. David was content that Absalom was banished to Geshur as he mourned Amnon’s actions and death. Joab saw that David was also mourning Absalom but would not move to have him return because of his act of vengeance against Amnon. Joab’s words through the widow reminded David that Absalom was also hurting and also a son of David, and while mourning Amnon was natural, Absalom was alive and there was no reason to reject him and treat him as dead as well. David finally came around and had Absalom return, but would not meet with him but rather had him banished to his own house. Absalom burned Joab’s field in order to get his attention when Joab would not respond to Absalom and force him to arrange a face to face meeting with David.
The accounts of those in the Scriptures are given to us for our example. When we see their actions and attitudes, as well as the results which follow, we often see ourselves in some manner. The truth of Scriptures reveals our hearts and reminds us that we are as guilty of sin as they were. Though Christians today, born again through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to teach and to guide, we still occasionally sin. Because we are forgiven, we are no longer separated from God by our sin, but we must repent of our sin to restore the fellowship we enjoy with God. Through the Spirit of God within us and His teaching us all Truth, we can learn and grow in Him and become more like Him as He speaks to us from His Word. Unlike Absalom, we are not banished from the king’s presence, to live this new life in Christ apart from God, but can boldly approach our heavenly Father and speak to Him in prayer. He speaks to us in many ways, never contradicting what He has already said through His Word, to accomplish His will through those who hear and listen to His voice. Those who are His hear His voice and obey His command to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach His Word, until whosoever will repent and believe has responded to God’s love and grace.
Until God is done with us He has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Though the loss of Amnon at Absalom’s hand upset David, he did not seek Absalom’s life knowing what precipitated Absalom’s actions. David was content that Absalom was banished to Geshur as he mourned Amnon’s actions and death. Joab saw that David was also mourning Absalom but would not move to have him return because of his act of vengeance against Amnon. Joab’s words through the widow reminded David that Absalom was also hurting and also a son of David, and while mourning Amnon was natural, Absalom was alive and there was no reason to reject him and treat him as dead as well. David finally came around and had Absalom return, but would not meet with him but rather had him banished to his own house. Absalom burned Joab’s field in order to get his attention when Joab would not respond to Absalom and force him to arrange a face to face meeting with David.
The accounts of those in the Scriptures are given to us for our example. When we see their actions and attitudes, as well as the results which follow, we often see ourselves in some manner. The truth of Scriptures reveals our hearts and reminds us that we are as guilty of sin as they were. Though Christians today, born again through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to teach and to guide, we still occasionally sin. Because we are forgiven, we are no longer separated from God by our sin, but we must repent of our sin to restore the fellowship we enjoy with God. Through the Spirit of God within us and His teaching us all Truth, we can learn and grow in Him and become more like Him as He speaks to us from His Word. Unlike Absalom, we are not banished from the king’s presence, to live this new life in Christ apart from God, but can boldly approach our heavenly Father and speak to Him in prayer. He speaks to us in many ways, never contradicting what He has already said through His Word, to accomplish His will through those who hear and listen to His voice. Those who are His hear His voice and obey His command to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach His Word, until whosoever will repent and believe has responded to God’s love and grace.
Until God is done with us He has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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