Context No. 2922 of 4322 · 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 18:1-5: in context

1David counted the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2David sent the people out, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, “I will also surely go out with you myself.” 3But the people said, “You shall not go out, for if we flee away, they will not care for us, neither if half of us die, will they care for us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city.” 4The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.” The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands. 5The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom.

David organizes his forces to meet Absalom's rebellion, dividing them under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He wants to march out with them himself, but the men insist he stay behind, for one king is worth ten thousand of them. And as the troops file out to battle, David gives the commanders a charge that everyone hears: deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.

Here is a father's heart in the middle of a war his own son has started. Absalom is leading an armed revolt to kill David and seize the throne, and still David's public command is not destroy him but deal gently with the young man. He cannot stop the war, but he pleads for mercy toward the very son who is trying to destroy him. It is a wounded love that keeps on loving the one who has wronged it, a faint shadow of the Father who loves rebels and longs to spare them.

Do I keep a heart of mercy toward those who have wronged me, even while I must resist what they are doing, wanting their good and not their ruin?

Sources

2 Samuel 18:5: "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom."
Luke 15:20: "But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran."
Matthew 5:44: "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."