2 Samuel 14:25–33

Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight. There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.

So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king’s presence. Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come. Then he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. Then Joab arose and went to Absalom at his house and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent word to you, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.’” Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.

Is Absalom a piece of work or what? What is going on with this guy?

He’s a royal spoiled brat; that’s what. No punishment is too small for him to whine about. He’s lucky to be alive after what he did, yet he wants no loss of privileges at all.

And God forbid you ignore one of his whiney messages. Arson is a pretty strange way of telling someone, “You’ve got mail.”

But the real kicker is that Absalom did this against Joab. Did he forget how it was Joab who rescued him from exile?

He didn’t forget; he just doesn’t care. How did Absalom get like this? Was something important missing in his upbringing?

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
            he will give delight to your heart. — Proverbs 29:17

Our sinful nature makes solid parenting essential. David’s polygamous family was not the best environment to grow up in. Absalom’s status as a “pretty boy” probably didn’t help either.

David’s cold disapproval of Absalom is evidence of his parenting style. He’s busy and it shows. He lets Absalom return to the kingdom but makes a point of saying that he won’t give him the time of day. There’s no evidence that David ever gave him the time of day.

When David called Absalom back from exile, instead of shunning him, he should have spanked him.

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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. Saturdays' by Matt Richardson. Subscribe here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

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Scripture taken from the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.