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 his mule through some trees, he got tangled in the branches and hung there helplessly while the mule kept going. One of David’s soldiers found Absalom and told Joab. Then Joab and some of his men went to Absalom and killed him.

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

When David heard this, he went to his room and wept. “Absalom, my son Absalom,” he cried. “If only I could have died instead of you.”

What is the greatest love of all?

Is it unusual for a father to love his son? No, of course not. Fathers naturally love their children. But what if the son hates his father? What if the son gathers an army to fight against him? Surely, if a father still loves his 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). David’s love for Absalom reminds us of the love God has for us. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).

The greatest love someone can show is to give their life to save another person. Jesus did that for you when He died on the cross. If you want to know what the greatest love is, this is what the Bible says about God’s love: very few people would be willing to die even for a good person. But God showed His great love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners (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

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