Waiting for justice (2 Samuel 13:12-39)
Read 📖
Today’s reading is 2 Samuel 13:12-39
‘But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad’
2 Samuel 13:22a (ESV)
Reflect ❤️
How do we respond when we are wrong? How do we respond when those who are supposed to uphold justice fail to do so? How do we deal with painful, personal injustice?
We continue through one of the darkest sections of the Bible. We have seen adultery, murder, sexual violence, betrayal, injustice, and deafening silence. The house of David is in disarray and spiralling further into ruin. David’s sin has made him passive, blind to the schemes of Amnon and Absalom, and he is no longer the right man for the job.
The narrative picks up two years after the rape of Tamar, and Absalom has spoken neither good nor bad to his brother Amnon, silence has turned to hatred into bitterness, and he has devised a plan to take justice into his own hands. David too has also been silent, failing to carry out his duties as king (2 Samuel 8:15) or as a father (Proverbs 13:24). The plan is to murder Amnon during the Sheepshearers celebration, a festive occasion where herd owners would gather and mark the end of the year. So, he approaches King David with a plot; invite the King, possibly hoping he would decline, then urge him to at least let Amnon attend. The king seemed suspicious at first but Absalom urged the king to let Amnon and all the sons attend, and so the King granted his request (vv 24-27).
Once the killing of Amnon had been carried out, Absalom flees to Geshur and the report of Amnon’s death reaches David. Jonadab, who was involved in the initial act against Tamar, clarifies who has been killed but also says something interesting: For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar (v 32). David was passive, his silence and failure to administer justice according to the law (Torah) allowed sin and bitterness to grow.
But let us reflect again on those opening questions. Maybe we have a situation in mind that puts us right into the injustice of this chapter. Do we trust in God or do we take actions into our own hands?
As I write this, we have just received the trial date for the person accused in my brother’s death. It is an interesting moment to stand in as a follower of Christ. On one hand, I long for earthly justice, while knowing there is a possibility that it may never come in the way we hope. On the other hand, I know my hope should never ultimately be in an earthly system, it must always be in Christ.
I firmly believe that justice belongs to the Lord and victory belongs to Christ. That is to say, there will be eternal justice, whether in this age or in the age to come. But there is also the possibility of salvation for the accused, if they are found in Christ. We cannot have one without the other. God’s justice is real. God’s mercy is real.
By taking justice into his own hands and administering vengeance himself, Absalom’s plan plunged the house of David further into destruction. He set the ball rolling towards his rebellion, the disunity of the kingdom, and eventually his death.
Absalom’s response of hatred after the rape of Tamar is not directly rebuked in the text. There are times where anger in response to evil is entirely appropriate actually necessary. But when there are situations that grieve us, anger us, let us also be careful when they tempt us towards bitterness.
Silence in both David's and Absalom’s circumstances proved disastrous. David's silence towards Amnon was his failing to act as king. Absalom’s silence may well have been where his hatred spiralled into murder. While we cannot know for sure what would have happened if Absalom had brought his hatred and bitterness into the light, we can see the devastation it can cause when allowed to fester.
Pray 🙏
Paul reminds us in Romans 12:18-19:
‘If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.’ (NIV)
While our passage is one of the darkest sections of the Bible, there is One who will always bring light into darkness: our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the light that the darkness cannot overcome. In John 16:33, Jesus says:
“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus does not hide the fact that we will face tribulation, but there is a difference. Absalom saw the tribulation, but he also saw a king who was silent and passive. We see, feel, and live through tribulation, but we serve a King who has acted in power. Jesus alone brings peace, comfort, restoration, and above all, justice.
Like Absalom, are there feelings you are holding onto that you need to bring to the Lord? Or maybe like both David and Absalom, there is a situation you have been silent on? Reflect on this great hymn as we pray…
‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.’