2 Samuel 13:29-39: a reflection

29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled. 30While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!” 31Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.” 34But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him. 35Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.” 36As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voices and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly. 37But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. 38So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.

When Absalom kills his brother Amnon, a report reaches David that is worse than the truth: Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. David, believing the worst, is plunged into overwhelming grief, tearing his garments and lying on the ground, mourning as though all his sons were dead. But the report was not true; only Amnon had died. In time the other sons appear, alive, and David's grief, though real, had been made far worse by a report of the worst that was not the whole truth.

Notice how David was overwhelmed by a report of the worst before the truth was known. The report that reached him was worse than the reality; all his sons, it said, were dead, when only one had died. And David, believing this worst report, was plunged into a grief far greater than the truth warranted. Had he known the truth, his grief, though real, would have been less; but the report of the worst, taken as true before the facts were known, overwhelmed him. He grieved as though all were lost, when the reality, grievous as it was, was not so total as the report.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too can be overwhelmed by reports or fears of the worst before we know the truth. When trouble strikes, we can leap to the worst conclusion, believing a report or a fear that is worse than the reality, and be plunged into a grief or dread greater than the facts warrant; but David's worst-case report proved untrue, only one son having died. Do not be overwhelmed by reports or fears of the worst before you know the truth; the worst you fear may not be the reality, as David mourned all his sons dead when only one had died. When trouble comes, do not leap to the worst conclusion and be overwhelmed by it before the truth is known; wait for the truth, and do not let a report or fear of the worst plunge you into a grief greater than the facts warrant, as David was overwhelmed by a report that all his sons were dead, which was not the truth.

Lord, when Absalom kills his brother Amnon, a report reaches David that is worse than the truth: Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. David, believing the worst, is plunged into overwhelming grief, tearing his garments and lying on the ground, mourning as though all his sons were dead. But the report was not true; only Amnon had died. In time the other sons appear, alive, and David's grief had been made far worse by a report of the worst that was not the whole truth. Show me how David was overwhelmed by a report of the worst before the truth was known. The report that reached him was worse than the reality. And David, believing this worst report, was plunged into a grief far greater than the truth warranted. Had he known the truth, his grief, though real, would have been less. He grieved as though all were lost, when the reality was not so total. Take that to my heart, for I too can be overwhelmed by reports or fears of the worst before I know the truth. When trouble strikes, I can leap to the worst conclusion, believing a report or a fear that is worse than the reality, and be plunged into a grief or dread greater than the facts warrant; but David's worst-case report proved untrue. Keep me from being overwhelmed by reports or fears of the worst before I know the truth; the worst I fear may not be the reality. When trouble comes, keep me from leaping to the worst conclusion, Lord; help me wait for the truth, and not let a fear of the worst plunge me into a grief greater than the facts warrant.