David mourns inconsolably. His sorrow is felt among the people and a sense of grief fills the city, a situation that could potentially harm David’s position. David cannot find comfort following his son’s death. Joab, the commander of his armies, approaches David and explains the situation to him. He rebukes him for mourning the death of a rebel son while ungratefully ignoring those who fought alongside him and risked their lives for his sake. We must know when to set aside our sorrow and grief and move past our losses. Crises can become a source of revelation, because they allow for new opportunities to arise. David follows Joab’s advice and goes out to the people.
“And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son” (2 Samuel 18:33)
“And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well” (2 Samuel 19:5-6)
Stability is achieved when we remain constant in our spiritual work, regardless of the volatility and disorder surrounding us.
