Died In Your Place
David deeply loved his son, Absalom. His
love for his son is considered one of the greatest examples of fatherly love in
the Old Testament. And, one of the greatest examples of the grief that love can
sometimes produce. David’s love for his rebellious son teaches all of us about
God’s love for us when we, in our human sinfulness, rebel against Him.
Absalom was described as the “handsomest
man in Israel” and was known for his luscious and thick head of hair. (2 Samuel
14) Other than being David’s son and growing up in the household of a father
who was a “man after God’s heart,” not many positive things are recorded in
Scripture about him. In fact, most of the Biblical record describes the evil
things he did. He murdered his brother Amnon, committed fornication in public
to torment his father, and rebelliously set up his own kingdom with the goal of
overthrowing David as king.
In this final chapter of Absalom’s life,
David sent out military troops to attack and defeat Absalom’s rebellious
uprising. His command to his military leaders shows us the love and concern David
still felt for his son: “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.”
David wanted the uprising to be put down, but out of love for his son, he ordered
that Absalom not be harmed. David longed to be reconciled to the son he loved.
David’s care for his son is an example
of our Heavenly Father’s love toward us. Although we are infected with a sinful
nature, and commit sins that offend our Father deeply, and although we don’t deserve
His love and forgiveness, He loves us and longs for us to be reconciled to Him.
Romans 5:12 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” You may be far from God today. Perhaps you
have offended Him by your rebellion and backsliding. But be certain of this –
He still loves you and wants to restore you to a right relationship with Himself.
Tragically, despite David’s command to
protect his son, Absalom was killed during the battle. When David learned of
his son’s death, his heart broke. You can feel the depth of his grief when he
realizes that the son he loved so deeply is never coming back. David is so
grieved that he actually wishes that he had died in Absalom’s place. As a
Father loves his child, David would have preferred to die himself, rather than have
his son die in an unreconciled state.
Tragically, David could not die for
Absalom’s sins. There is only One Man in history who could die for others’ sins
– Jesus Christ, Himself. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave His
only begotten Son for the sole purpose of taking our sins upon Himself and
opening the door to be reconciled to Him. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and
live for righteousness.” (1 Peter
2:24) Your Heavenly Father loves you so much and longs for you to return to
Him. “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his
appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God!” Come to Him now – He is waiting! (2 Corinthians
5:20)
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