March 24

“And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept.” 2 Samuel 18:33

Although Absalom was a rebel, he was still a son. When Saul died at the Philistines’ hands, David mourned the death of one who had been his lawful king; but when Absalom was slain by Joab, David was inconsolable, though now it was a traitor that he mourned. The battle had been fought, treason had to be punished; yet David’s father-heart was filled with sorrow at his son’s death. Judgment had been necessary, but the tears flowed.

Judgment that is unmixed with tears discloses in us a grave deficiency of Christian love. If there is condemnation but no distress, then there is a sad lack in the family of God. It is wrong to condone evil, but it is even worse to harbor a vindictive spirit against the wrongdoer. We are told rather to forgive every one his brother from our hearts.