WHAT FLAME ARE YOU IGNITING?(3)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY*

*WHAT FLAME ARE YOU IGNITING?(3)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

2 Samuel 18:33 *And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!*

*Insight and Highlight.*

David, a sad father and flawed fatherhood, mourned over his son, Absalom, while a nation rejoices. David was an example of Absalom's unchecked favoritism, a deep-seated failure marked by absent parenting and a failure to address his son's rebellion. 

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Perhaps one of the most spoilt children in the scriptures was Absalom.

Though Absalom's revolt is a fall out of God's punishment over David's household, 2 Sam 12, but we ought to also remember that Solomon was also a son.

David fanned the flame that gave Absalom water of gall and wormwood, one of

bitter calamity and sorrow, ref Jer 9:15; 23:15, Lam 3:15, 19, that opened up his punishment.

Absalom's tale was one of a father-child relationship void of the father's chastening and a son that was reckless and lacked caution.

His pathethic and sad story serves as a lesson to parents about their children's unchecked ambitions.

Absalom's story is one of pride and greed, about a man who tried to overthrow the plan of God.

God is more important than our children, so as He is more important than all things, ref Col.1:17.

Absalom was probably a favorite of his father but was not well governed and became a spoiled child.

After killing his brother Amnon, 2 Sam 13:23-39, he fled to Talmai, king of Geshur, for refuge, 2 Sam 13:37. David, instead of pursuing action against him, longed for him. He missed his rebellious son.

The spoilt boy, free from legal restraint, came back to Israel and straight away began to show an ambition for popularity.

A boy of beauty, 2 Sam 14:25, and with

regal honour had chariots and horses, was very lousy, a master of fermenting trouble with no respect to any class.

His cunning, desperate search for relevance was how he courted people with kissing and flattering them. He succeeded in stealing away the hearts of many of the people, 2 Sam 15:5. 

He appointed himself as a saviour of Israel under the ailing giant, his father David, who was counting the severe consequences of his sin with Bathsheba.

Absalom sought and found support in Ahithophel, and with the support of the wisest counselor at that time, it became most apparent, but for God, that Absalom would be king.

David, a warrior king who had never been known to run away from battle, ran away from him son.

He saw no other alternative than to find safety in flight from Absalom, and at once, he forsook his throne in Jerusalem and the whole of Israel. A king and his servants weeping walking away, David barefooted from his son and his head covered in shame, 2 Sam 15:13-30.

The flame he lighted burned close to the throne.

Absalom had the majority. While his father was running away in shame, he was at the capital, the seat and center of kingship and dominion, and the Ark of God laid there.

In all of these, David was at arm's length from his son and was at witt's end, but he still loved Absalom.

It may be right to say that David would rather die than to have Absalom die. Or David would rather have Absalom to be king rather than have him die.

David loved God, God loved him, and he asked God to frustrate Ahithophel. God obliged, 2 Sam 15:31-37.

Unrelenting, spoilt, and arrogant,

Absalom became a royal fugitive and willingly rode into his death as *"....an ox goes to the slaughter..."* ref Prov 7:22. 

Absalom, riding on a mule, met his death

He was caught by his hair on an oak tree branch, and while his mule was going on, he was left hanging by his hair, 2 Sam 18:9-15. The Bible says Absalom was hanging between *".....the heaven and the earth;....."* 2 Sam 18:9

When parents protect their children in ungodly behaviour, they are not showing them real kindness. In fact and of the truth, such parents do not love their children.

David mourned his rebellious son, Absalom, to the detriment of people who wanted sanity and peace for him as king and the nation as a whole.

While we expect his grief as any parent would, but it must be stressed and without doubt, David fanned a nation's tragedy in Absalom. It started from his home, and it became a national calamity.

When you train your child, you are protecting yourself, your child, family, community, nation, and the world at large.

Pro 29:17 *Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.*

*Remorse corner.*

Ignite the flame in your child to be a nation's honour.

*Call to Word action.*

Becareful you are not igniting a flame in your child that will turn into a nation's tragedy.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

What are you feeding your child with? What have you given them to drink? Water of life or water of gall and wormwood? Do not neglect correcting them.

*Prayer.*

Lord, let my child be a nation's pride and honour in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.