Rebellion against David was subdued when Joab killed Absalom. Ahimaaz volunteered to bring the good news of victory to David, but Joab dissuaded him, for he knew how David would respond to the news of Absalom’s death. He sent a Cushite instead. Later, Ahimaaz persisted, outran the Cushite, and delivered his message of victory. However, David’s immediate question to him was, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Then came a Cushite, who delivered the news of victory. Again, David asked the same question about Absalom. When the Cushite told what happened to Absalom, David was shaken and wept, lamenting over the death of Absalom (33).

Joab saw Absalom as an object of judgment, but David saw Absalom as his beloved son for whom he was willing to die. Absalom rebelled against David and even tried to kill David, his father. He didn’t deserve love; however, David’ lament over him showed his love as a father, a man after God’s own heart. In David, we see a shadow of God’s love for his children. David’s love for Absalom doesn’t make sense; it is neither reasonable nor just. God’s love for us is like this. We have turned to our own way and rebelled against God, but God demonstrated his love for us in this: While we are still sinners, Christ died for us (Ro 5:8).
Application: Father, thank you for your unconditional and life-giving love for me, a rebellious sinner.
One Word: Father’s love for me!