Today’s passage: 2 Samuel 14
Helpful thoughts:
- This chapter is troubling. It’s hard to tell at times what is going right and what is going wrong… Manipulation and selfish interest are being sought in the name of mercy and reconciliation.
- While there are many similarities in the woman’s fictitious story, there were embellishments when compared to David’s situation. One being that Absalom was not David’s only way to carry on the family name.
- Absalom showed his lack of repentance by setting Joab’s field on fire to force action.
- Absalom demanded either restoration or death. Godly sorrow does not produce demands (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
- Joab had stuck his neck out previously for Absalom and now had skin in the game. Absalom selfishly took advantage of that.
- David extended forgiveness and reconciliation to Absalom perhaps not knowing that he wasn’t truly repentant (Luke 17:3).
Questions to consider:
- What happens to relationships when everyone is seeking to protect and serve themselves? How about when we seek to protect and serve one another?
- How are restoration and reconciliation connected to forgiveness? If a person refuses to admit wrong-doing and is unwilling to make right what was wrong (Wherever possible), should they be reconciled and restored? Why is it right to have a heart of forgiveness (A readiness to extend forgiveness), but to wait until restoration and reconciliation are sought to grant it? When does God forgive us and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)?
- Are there sins you need to turn from and confess? Are there others who have confessed to you that you need to forgive? How should/can God’s forgiveness of you encourage you to be ready to forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35)?