Influence of God's GloryIsampula

Every Leader Has Enemies

The prophet Nathan told David, “the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own” (2 Samuel 12:10). 2 Samuel 13–14 records a fulfillment of that prophecy. David’s son Amnon fell in love with his half-sister, Tamar. Then Amnon tricked David into sending Tamar to him by saying he was ill. When Tamar arrived to care for her half-brother, Amnon violated her. Two years later Tamar’s brother, Absalom, commanded his men to kill Amnon. After his half-brother was killed, Absalom fled the area with his men. He remained in exile for three years and during that time, he was making plans.

1. God’s hand of protection, and his blessing, were on King David, and yet he experienced great grief. Jesus’ family tried to interfere with his ministry as well (Mark 3:20–21). We often hear the phrase “family first” used to encourage that priority. What do these passages remind us to consider, while making our family a high priority?