Pride goeth before the fall…

2 Sam 16-18 “God is the Avenger, not us….” In Proverbs 20:11 we read: “Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right,” and the contrast is also true.  Everyone knew about Absalom—it seems, except his father. David failed as a parent and did not raise him to have a godly heart. David lived by this principle: I will not touch the Lord’s anointed. But, given the opportunity, Absalom sought to shame David. He planned his demise and the takeover of his kingdom through pride, rape, and murder of his brother Amnon. A child left to himself will never find peace.

 Absalom gloated in his long hair, but in the end, it was that very prideful thing that brought him to his death. In all of this, David never cursed his wicked son nor gave anyone permission to take his life because he knew “the life of the flesh is in the blood…” [Lev 17:11] No matter what a man has done, only God has the right to take the life of a man. To do so is murder, and had he followed the advice of others, he would be like a man laden with the guilt of human blood… [Prov 28:17]

God had pronounced consequences for David’s sin, one of which was to be shamed publicly. In the end and Absalom fulfilled that prophecy. Yet, David mourned for Absalom, and we should do as well. There is no glory in the death of anyone, anywhere, anytime. Remember this truth: God is the avenger, not us.