Triumph & TurmoilSample

Like Father, Like Son

The connection between chapters 11—12 of 2 Samuel (the account of David and Bathsheba, and Nathan’s confrontation of David over the sin) and chapters 13—18 should not be minimized. It is one of the masterful sweeps of literature that the Bible does spectacularly.

We move from the sexual deviance and violence of the father to the sexual deviance and violence of the sons. These two stories are meant to be intertwined, the second read in light of the first.

We are given a picture, not just of the kind of men these characters were, but of how sin can be inherited. David succumbed to his lust and murdered to try to cover it. His son Amnon acted on his own lust, raping his half-sister (David’s daughter) (2 Samuel 13:1-22) and sparking the violence of David’s other son, Absalom, who murdered Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23-39). That is followed by Absalom’s violent attempt to overthrow David as king (2 Samuel 14), ending in Absalom’s death.

This is a family in turmoil.

David’s choices and their consequences have dripped through into the next generation. The peace that he enjoyed from his enemies was more than offset by the strife and struggle within his own household. David was failing as king and father (the text does not record that he did anything about Amnon’s rape, and it is perhaps this inaction that spurred both Absalom’s murder of Amnon as well as his attempt to take the throne by force).

These events are all still in the context of God’s history-turning promise to David: that He would establish his house, and his descendant would rule forever. While we know now that this refers to Jesus, David likely did not. David had to live in tension and wonder how God’s promise would be kept when his sons kept being killed.

These chapters give us two important lessons.

First, our sins do not affect only ourselves. What we do impacts those around us, including our children. The kind of men and fathers we are deeply matters to who our children will become.

But second, our sin does not dictate who God is. God remains God even in the face of our wanton and deep sinfulness, and He is always at work in spite of ourselves.

Prayer: God, thank You that there is forgiveness for sins. Thank You that my mistakes are not the end of the story. Forgive me for how my sins have impacted those around me, family and friends alike. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection: How have you seen your choices reflected in the lives of those around you? Are you leaving a legacy you can be proud of, or one in which others will learn from its negative example?