Daily Encouragementنموونە

So Joab exhorted King David at a critical moment in a tragic hour. Absalom’s rebellion had been overthrown and the way was open for David to return to Jerusalem. However, David’s tear-filled eyes were blind to the victory as he mourned for his son: “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” And . . . that day was turned into mourning. . . . The men stole into the city . . . as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle” (2 Sam. 19:2-4). the situation was serious, and had David persisted in his attitude the result might have been disastrous.

David’s family troubles were in no small measure due to his own sin and failure. His tears for Absalom doubtless expressed not just love and grief but also bitter remorse. And he was not the last among the godly to shed such tears. However, the lesson is clear: God-appointed leaders must not allow personal tragedy and failure to deter them from fulfilling their responsibilities to the people of God and to his ongoing purpose.

At such times it is not easy to get up and take one’s place, but it must be done. “When the men were told, ‘the king is sitting in the gateway,’ they all came before him” (2 Sam. 19:8).