2 Samuel 19-22
Getting On With Our Lives

David was understandably broken with the death of his rebellious son, Absalom, in 2 Samuel 18. As the war broke out between Absalom's forces and those loyal to him, he had hoped the young man could be saved. But, that was not to be, and he wept when he learned of Absalom's death.

David's sorrow ran deep, and it seems affected his ability to lead as we come to chapter 19. What's more, his sorrow began to bring the people, who should have been rejoicing from the victory, down. Joab noticed the problem and had this to say, "You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased. Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now" (19:5-7). David, taking his advice, went and was seen by the people, and they came before him.

Joab was a less than honorable man, and his rebuke was harsh and unfeeling in tone, but there was wisdom in his words, and David knew it. In holding on to his loss, he was lessening the heroic sacrifices of his people. Nothing could be done for Absalom at this point, and the people needed a king. He had to grieve, but he also had to move on, and be thankful for what he still had left.

Misfortunes and disappointments are an regrettable part of our lives. They come in various circumstances and at differing times. Sometimes, they can be debilitating— crippling us. Our lives come to a standstill. Such is normal— it takes time to process changes in life. There is a time for weeping, but, as Joab's advice suggests, there is also a time to move on. Our grief must be for a season. Christ wept over those who would not come to Him (Matthew 23:32), but He later rejoiced over those who would (Hebrews 12:1-2). How lost we would all be if He allowed His sorrow to derail Him from His divine task! One of the reasons why remaining in grief is so dangerous is because when we focus on our hardships, we – to some degree—slight the blessings we still have in our lives. Just as David overlooked the bravery of those who fought for him and failed to see their loyalty as a fortunate thing, we become so caught up in our sorrows we fail to appreciate what is still right at the moment. All we think about is what is wrong. We fail to relax in our promised salvation, in our relationship with God, in our loved ones who are with us, in our health that we do have, in beautiful days, God's provision as they are, etc. And, just a David was in danger of taking himself out of service, we are in danger of doing the same.

What we need in such moments is a gentler reminder than David got, but one just as pointed. We need to weep, but we need to appreciate what we still have and move on with our lives. Others are counting on us to be who we need to be—not the least of which is the God who blesses us.