2 Samuel 14:2-3 So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning…. Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” …
This chapter is full of pretense and manipulation. No one is upfront and honest about who’s pulling the strings and what the motives are. The whole chapter leaves me with a bad feeling.
2 Samuel 14:19 The king asked, “Isn’t the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered, … “Yes, it was your servant Joab who instructed me to do this….”
So what can I learn from this tangled web that David and his family and advisors continue to weave? 1. Honesty really is the best policy. Be honest and upfront about your reasons and motives. 2. Get your heart right with God first. Then get right with others. (That will help you steer clear of #3.) 3. Don’t try to manipulate others. They will see through it and the relationship will probably be damaged on the process.
2 Samuel 14:29 Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So he sent a second time, but he refused to come.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this clear example of how the right thing (attempted forgiveness and reconciliation) done in the wrong way will never turn out right. Help us to be open, honest, and upfront with those who have wronged us and those we have wronged. Help us to forgive each other and ourselves and to be reconciled before You. Draw us closer. Amen.
2 Samuel 14:30 Then he said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servant’s set the field on fire.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.