2 Samuel | Sometimes You Have To Burn Someone’s Field For Attention

Previously, Absalom sought his revenge and murdered Amnon. This relieved King David because David was upset at Amnon’s actions toward Tamar. However, Absalom, fearing what would happen, fled.

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel – Ch. 14 

Absalom Returns To Jerusalem

David’s servant is aware David was concerned about Absalom, so he fetches a wise woman to pretend to be a mourner. The woman was told to approach King David. She was told when she saw him to tell him a story. This story is closely symbolic of Absalom and Amon. One brother kills the other in a field. The whole family rose up and want to execute the brother who murdered, so the “widow” woman would have no heir left.

She tells David this story and he tells her to go to her house and he would send orders on what to do.

She answers him asking for iniquity to be on her household and for the king to be blameless (v.9). David responds that should someone say something to her, that person is to report to him. 

She requests that the avenger of blood not be able to destroy anymore. David says not one hair of the son’s hair will fall to the ground (v.11).

She continues to talk more, and eventually, David finds out she was told to say everything from his servant, Joab. David is not mad about it, in fact, he decides to send Joab out to return Absalom. Joab is happy to know that he found favor with David (v.22).

Absalom is brought back to Jerusalem. David says for him to return to his own house but not to have him see David’s face.

David Forgives Absalom

(v.25) Absalom apparently was a good looking man. He had no physical blemish in him.

He had three sons, and one daughter naming her Tamar, after her aunt I’m sure. His daughter was also a beautiful woman.

(v.28) Two years had gone by and he hadn’t seen David in person. He requested for Joab to see him, and this did not happen. Absalom tried two other times with no avail.

Finally, he became desperate.

Joab had a field near him, and Absalom told his servants to set that field on fire. (v.31) This definitely did get the attention of Joab. He appeared at the house of Absalom and wanted to know what was going on. Absalom explained he tried to get his attention prior, but it did not work. He was returned to his home city, yet could not see David. He demanded that if David felt iniquity was still in him to have him executed. 

David is told this, and he calls for Absalom.

Absalom bowed himself on his face to the ground before David, then David kissed him as a way of showing forgiveness.

What To Take Away– It’s important that we resolve issues as quickly as possible. We do not want grudges to grow. We do not want people to feel so isolated that they cannot come to us. Being Christlike means to forgive quickly. God will forgive us as we forgive. It’s possible the person who wronged us may make a mistake later, and yes, sometimes, we may need to cut out certain people in our life. But that doesn’t mean we hold grudges or hold our forgiveness against them.

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Comment Below:

What did you think of Joab’s plan?

Monthly Scripture – (NLT) 1 Timothy 1:19, “Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their conscience and as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.” 

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