David’s Love for Absalom

Bible Text: 2 Samuel 18 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2 Samuel, 2001

December 9, 2001                                                                                     Northwest Bible Church

 

2 Samuel 18

DAVID’S LOVE FOR ABSALOM

 

 

 

INTRO

 

 

 

THE CHARACTER OF DAVID’S LOVE FOR ABSALOM.

 

 

Steadfast love. “Deal gently for my sake with the young man” (2 Samuel 18:5).

 

1) ______________.   Although abused by his son, hated by his son, rebelled against by his son, yet David still loved Absalom.

 

A parent’s love for their child is a deep love indeed.

 

Matthew Henry,  “Absalom would have David only killed, David                                                      would have Absalom only spared.”

 

Such a love is but a glimpse into the love of our heavenly Father.

 

2) ________________.

 

a) Overly protective.

 

 

b) Openly counter-productive.

 

(1) The effect on his men.

 

(2) The effect on his kingdom.

 

 

Concerned  love.   “Is it well with the young man Absalom?”  (2 Samuel 18:29).

 

1) _____________ well-being.

 

 

2) _____________ well-being.

 

3 John 4  –   I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children

walking in the truth.

 

Only God can make our children godly.

 

3) It is not well when:

– when they do not know the Lord

– more concerned with outer appearance than with the heart.

– when enmity fills heart towards parent

– when one becomes associated with bad company

– when one has a vicious heart and seeks to injure and harm others

 

 

 

Grieving love.   “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!  Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”  (2 Samuel 18:33; 19:4).

 

David is weeping, pacing back and forth across his chamber room.  WHY?  Because Absalom is dead. His heart is broken and his grief is so deep he falls apart emotionally.   He is beside himself with grief.

 

Surely we understand this.  But there are three things that made David’s grief especially bitter:

 

1) David’s __________.

 

a) Guilt over his sin.

 

 

b) Guilt over his neglect.

 

 

2) Absalom’s _____________.     Absalom was lost.   He was the incorrigible son;  a murderer;  hated his father  – – –   all worthy of death.

 

His burial is in a deep pit covered by a very great heap of stones (v. 17).  This is the mark of a cursed man, cf. Achan (Josh. 7:26) and others.

 

 

3) Excessive ______________.  He is acting like his world has come to an end.

 

Such emotionalism can only be controlled by a sober understanding of truth, faith in God, trust in the Lord’s will, reliance upon God for strength.

 

It took Joab using a TOUGH LOVE approach to awaken David to his folly (19:1-5).

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

David’s love is like our love, IMPERFECT at best.

 

Our model for parental love is not David but God’s love in Jesus Christ.