United we stand

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you–O Absalom, my son, my son!” Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. 2 Samuel 18:33 – 19:3

King David is shaken and mourning for his son Absalom who died in battle trying to kill David. David’s men who should have returned home as jubilant, triumphant victors, instead steal into the city as if in the shame of defeat. In a civil war, a divided country naturally comes apart at the seams. So it was with Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Absalom’s death results in David being restored to king of both Israel and Judah. Back in unity and following God, some of the most glorious years of Israel’s history lie ahead.