A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY
II Samuel 13:1, 21
"After this Absolom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her .... But when King David heard all these things, he was very angry."
David's family was a textbook case of a dysfunctional family. Chapter 13 is a sordid story of rape, incest, and murder. It sounds like the plot of a soap opera on TV, and I don't want to dwell on the story. Part of the problem stems from the fact that David had married so many wives in violation of God's plan for marriage, and the children had issues because they were half-brothers and sisters. After Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, Absolom took revenge for his sister by murdering Amnon. What strikes me is David's role in the drama. Where is David? Other than getting angry, he is absent. He took no leadership in reprimanding Amon. And when Absolom killed his brother Amnon and then fled to live with his grandfather on his mom's side [note: Absolom was the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, II Samuel 3:3], instead of bringing Absolom to justice, David's response was to mourn for Absolom and to desire to go to him (vss. 37, 39). David was a hands-off father who refused to discipline his sons. No wonder his house was a mess. David had abdicated his role as a father. We see the same thing in America today – absentee dads. It is not an easy task, but it is necessary. Looking back, I can see times when I was not faithful to my responsibilities of leadership. Lord, forgive me for not always fulfilling the task as the father you called me to be. God, give us men who will take their God-given position as leaders in their families.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God has given fathers the responsibility of leadership to bring order into their families, but many fathers have abdicated their position.
[end]
Have a "functional" day. Love you.
II Samuel 13:1, 21
"After this Absolom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her .... But when King David heard all these things, he was very angry."
David's family was a textbook case of a dysfunctional family. Chapter 13 is a sordid story of rape, incest, and murder. It sounds like the plot of a soap opera on TV, and I don't want to dwell on the story. Part of the problem stems from the fact that David had married so many wives in violation of God's plan for marriage, and the children had issues because they were half-brothers and sisters. After Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, Absolom took revenge for his sister by murdering Amnon. What strikes me is David's role in the drama. Where is David? Other than getting angry, he is absent. He took no leadership in reprimanding Amon. And when Absolom killed his brother Amnon and then fled to live with his grandfather on his mom's side [note: Absolom was the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, II Samuel 3:3], instead of bringing Absolom to justice, David's response was to mourn for Absolom and to desire to go to him (vss. 37, 39). David was a hands-off father who refused to discipline his sons. No wonder his house was a mess. David had abdicated his role as a father. We see the same thing in America today – absentee dads. It is not an easy task, but it is necessary. Looking back, I can see times when I was not faithful to my responsibilities of leadership. Lord, forgive me for not always fulfilling the task as the father you called me to be. God, give us men who will take their God-given position as leaders in their families.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God has given fathers the responsibility of leadership to bring order into their families, but many fathers have abdicated their position.
[end]
Have a "functional" day. Love you.
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