Justin Appel
Dear Friends,
Today’s Old Testament lesson recounts the story of David’s son Absalom, who rebelled against his father, the king, and who was slain by Joab, a particularly loyal commander of David’s army.
It can be genuinely difficult to find meaning in a historical episode such as this, particularly when one considers other threads of the story: Joab’s part in murdering Abner—the cousin of King Saul—as well effecting the death of Uriah the Hittite, not to mention David’s murder of Joab later at the hand of Beniah, one of the king’s mighty men.
This is a story of political intrigue, of machinations, and violent consequences.
One element does seem to stand out, though, and that’s David’s compassion for his dead son—rebellious though he was.
I have read an interpretation that suggests the love and patience David retained for his troublesome son is not unlike the patience and long-suffering that God has for us, even as we display rebellious tendencies in our lives, as we embody Absalom’s pride, or worship false idols. God, the patient Father, continues to bear with us children.
David’s grief at the death of his son speaks eloquently of a human father’s love. We hear some of this feeling in the non-liturgical work by Orlando Gibbons, When David heard, one of the great musical laments of all time. The phrase, “would God I had died for thee” reminds us of the divine love that led Jesus to accept death in order to redeem his creatures from death.
Far from imposing external meaning in the passage, such an interpretation does justice to the deep story patterns embedded in the Scriptures. In the end, we understand David’s love because, in a real way, he reflects God’s love for us—a love that conquers time itself.
Yours in Christ,
—Justin