We begin to see the serious effects that David’s sin has on his sons. Such effects are a part of David’s punishment but result from the natural consequences of his parenting style which we can assume to be that of neglect and distance. When we read the Psalms we see David as a passionate and sensitive man one who, we would assume, would be a good father and husband. Yet he was a leader and warrior who was seldom at home. From what we see in these chapters we can assume that he rarely spent time with his children developing relationships and trust. If he had spent time with them we can be sure that neither Absalom nor Amnon would have behaved as they did.
This is not to imply that they learned nothing from David. Amnon certainly imitated his father by lusting after a woman he could not have, his half-sister Tamar, and raping her. As first born and the heir to the throne, he developed a fantastic ego in which he denied himself nothing. Absalom imitated his father by using violence to satisfy his sense of justice. He had no authority to do so and behaved with wicked deceit to satisfy personal vengeance.
What we learn from these two bad boys is that we ought to be more attentive and compassionate in dealing with our kids. Fathers and mothers who spend too much time away from their kids with work or personal leisure will find their kids indulging their personal lusts in imitation of their parents. We should spend quality time with our children so they grow to love, trust and obey us and so they will share their feelings and doubts. In church, we must do the same for those children whom the Lord sends into our care. Show them the unconditional love of Jesus and they will respond to His call.
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