JOTS FROM OLD JAKE
Why did I coup?
Monday, Oct. 01, 2007 - 7:33 p.m.
David was a loving man as well as being loyal to his authority. He new he was to be king but never took the bull by the horns, so to speak, but waited on the Lord to put him in the position. He did slip several times but still came back and asked for forgiveness. He was not perfect in all ways� he did commit adultery and a related murder, but the Lord forgave after he took him to the wood shed. He lost his son that was born out of this adulterous relationship. One of his sons raped his daughter and he did nothing about it. Then his son, Absalom took matters in his own hands and slew the perpetrator.
After a time David forgave Absalom. Not completely though he allowed him return from exile but refused to have him over celebrations. Absalom after being treated like trash by his dad developed a rebellious spirit and since he was the only living first born would expect to inherit the throne. With his rebellious sprite in control he started rumors in the kingdom that David wasn�t doing a good job and that he, Absalom would change things around so that everyone would get a fair shake� and make everything much better. (Kind of sounds like some of our modern day �pollute-tions�� doesn�t it?) He got enough people to buy into his propaganda and built up quite an army. He attempted a coup against David, which David�s men to fight against him.
Making a long story short Absalom was killed. This ended the war immediately.
David although he really never forgot what Absalom had done, he never wanted this to end with his death. He lamented intensely because of it.
2 Samuel 18:33 (KJV) And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
I wonder if the reason he was so perplexed from the death of Absalom was because although he made some statement of forgiveness he really never made amends with him personally. Another thought: is possibly David�s guilt because of his parenting skills or lack there of.
When his first son was sick and on the death bead he put on sackcloth and fasted until the child died. When the child died he went back to business as though it hadn�t happened. When questioned he said that he knew that he would be with him later. This in mind, maybe he didn�t have the confidence that he would be with Absalom in the hereafter.
This might lead to the point that we should not grieve the people we feel sure will be with us in the end� but for those who have a questionable destination in route.
VERSE FOR THIS ENTRY!
Psalms 121:7-8 (NIV) The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
ULTERIOR WORDS OF WISDOM� OR/NOT!
�Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction!�
~Blaise Pascal~
May you be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit!
