David

May 29

2 Samuel 18:1-2, 9, 32-33

The king’s son dies

Absalom, who wanted to be king, was in a battle against the soldiers of his father’s army. While Absalom was riding on a horse through some trees, his head got stuck in the branches, and he hung there helplessly while his horse kept on going. Joab, one of David’s men found Absalom and killed him with a spear.

Someone went to King David and said; “Praise the Lord, your son who was fighting against you has been killed.”

David went to his room and wept. “Absalom, my son Absalom,“ he cried. “If only I could have died in your place.”

What is the greatest love of all?

Is it unusual for a father to love his son? No, it is natural for a father to love his children. But what if the son hates his father? What if the son gets an army to fight against his father? Surely, if a father loves a son even then, his love must be very great. David loved his rebellious son so much that when he heard about Absalom’s death, he cried, “If only I could have died in your place” (verse 33). We know that David had the love of God in his heart because Jesus said: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13.

The greatest love anyone can show is to give his life for someone else. Jesus did that when he gave His life for you. If you want to know what the greatest love is, then see what the Bible says about God’s love. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:7-8.

Verse for today

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10