2 Samuel

2 Samuel 18: A father mourns his son

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Absalom’s death and David’s grief, let us come before the LORD together. Ask Him to comfort those who grieve, and to show us that He delivers His people.

I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities.

Psalm 31:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You deliver Your king, and show us Jesus, who bore the sins of His people. Comfort those in our family who grieve. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David divides his army under Joab, Abishai and Ittai, and he asks them to deal gently with Absalom. The battle is in the forest of Ephraim, and the forest devours more men than the sword. Absalom’s head catches in a great oak as his mule runs on, and he hangs there. Joab thrusts three darts into him, and his men bury him under a heap of stones. Ahimaaz runs ahead with news that the LORD has avenged the king, and David weeps at the gate, crying out for his son.

As you read 2 Samuel 18, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD delivers His king from his enemies, yet sin brings a father deep grief.

David divides his army under Joab, Abishai and Ittai, and he asks them to deal gently with Absalom (verses 1 to 5). The battle is in the forest of Ephraim, and the forest devours more men than the sword (verses 6 and 8). Absalom’s head catches in an oak, and Joab’s men kill him and bury him under stones (verses 9 to 17). The messengers say the LORD has avenged the king of his enemies (verses 19, 28 and 31). The king asks only about his son (verses 29 and 32). When he hears, he cries, “My son Absalom!” and wishes he had died instead (verse 33). The victory was real, and so was the father’s grief. Christ bore the sins of His people in His body on the tree (1 Peter 2 verse 24).

How does 2 Samuel 18 show us that the LORD delivers His king from his enemies, yet sin brings a father deep grief?

David asks his men to deal gently with Absalom.

David divides his army under Joab, Abishai and Ittai (verse 2). He tells them to deal gently with Absalom for his sake (verse 5). His men go out to fight in the forest of Ephraim (verse 6).

Absalom dies, and David grieves for his son.

Absalom’s head catches in an oak, and he is left hanging (verse 9). Joab thrusts three darts into him, and his men bury him under stones (verses 14 and 17). David cries, “My son Absalom!” and he wishes he had died in his son’s place (verse 33).

The messengers praise the LORD, and Christ bore the sins of His people.

The messengers say that the LORD has avenged the king (verses 19 and 31). They call the victory the LORD’s, but David’s heart is broken (verses 28 and 33). Christ bore the sins of His people in His body on the tree (1 Peter 2 verse 24).

Memorise

My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!

2 Samuel 18:33

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how does my sin hurt others, and who can take it away?

David won the battle, but he wept for his son. The messengers said the victory was the LORD’s, yet the king’s heart was broken. Absalom’s rebellion broke his father’s heart, and that is what sin does. Jesus has won the victory over sin and death.

Christ bore the sins of His people in His body on the tree. His death paid their whole debt, and then He was buried. God raised Jesus from the dead, and He lives.

So come to Him, and turn from your sin. Trust Jesus, the One who carried the sins of His people. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gave David the victory, and that sin brought David deep grief. Parents, please explain in your own words what Absalom did against his father, and why David wept (verses 5 and 33). Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He delivers His people and comforts those who grieve, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy.

Psalm 72:13

Lord God, thank You that You comfort those who grieve, and that Jesus bore the sins of His people. Draw each person here to turn from sin and trust the Saviour. Help us to bring our grief to You this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.