“Two years later, when Avshalom had sheep-shearers in Ba‘al-Hatzor, near Efrayim, Avshalom invited all the king’s sons.”-2 Samuel 13:23
Two years had passed since Amnon had raped Tamar, and she had fled to her brother, Avshalom’s home.
I imagine Avshalom’s hatred towards Amnon intensified during this time.
How could it not?
There, living inside his home, was a constant reminder of Amnon’s horrific deeds.
On top of that, he must have been deeply tormented by his sister’s tragic situation…
How her life had been destroyed overnight by the deeds of one man.
No doubt, during this time, Avshalom began plotting how he could avenge his sister’s rape.
He was also politically astute.
Avshalom knew he could use Amnon’s crime to his advantage to take the throne and succeed his father, David.
The scene shifts to the sheep-shearing season.
Now, when you hear about sheep-shearing, what image comes to mind?
I picture laborers doing back-breaking work out in the fields.
In other words, no fun at all.
Well, it turns out, it was the exact opposite.
Sheep-shearing in ancient Israel was PARTY TIME!
Family and friends would get together…
Booze was served…
And a variety of delicious foods were prepared for the occasion.
Avshalom realized this was the PERFECT opportunity to set a trap for his brother Amnon…
And finally get the revenge he had been dreaming about for years.
So he invited David and all the king’s sons to the sheep-shearing festival.
The event also would’ve been a grand family reunion of sorts.
David declined, of course.
It wasn’t the place for a king to attend such events.
Avshalom knew this would happen.
So things were going according to plan.
However, he was surprised when his father said…
“No, my son, let’s not all go — we don’t want to be a burden to you.”
David also declined to allow his other sons to go.
Why?
I think David was concerned when Avshalom specifically mentioned Amnon’s name.
However, the sweet-talking Absalom would not be denied.
He finally got David to agree to allow all of the brothers to go…
And that included Amnon.
Unfortunately, this would be the last party Amnon would ever attend.
Alrighty, let’s stop here for the takeaway.
The takeaway goes back to King David’s many character flaws.
He never judged or punished Amnon for his horrific crime of raping his sister.
And he didn’t have the foresight to perceive that Avshalom was setting a trap for Amnon.
On top of that, it was dangerous as all hell to allow all of his sons to be gathered in one location.
If an enemy wanted to end the king’s dynasty…
This would’ve been the perfect opportunity to send in a military force and completely wipe out all the male heirs of the royal family.
As the king of Israel, David should’ve been smarter than that.
But again, we’re witnessing a ruler on the decline…
A man who had let fleshly temptations get the better of him…
A man who had a soft spot for his sons when he should have exercised firm discipline…
And tragically, a man who was about to pay dearly for his carelessness many times over.
Let’s take this as a cautionary tale to be vigilant…
And realize that our evil inclination always lies ready to pounce…
And derail us from the holy path the Lord so desires us to walk in Him.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“So I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify
the desires of the flesh.”
-Galatians 5:16
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