for Aug. 13: 2 Samuel 18. 5-9, 15, 31-33

Then in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, [David] said, "Joab! Abishai! Ittai! For my sake, be sure that Absalom comes back unharmed." David stood beside the town gate as his army marched past in groups of a hundred and in groups of a thousand. The war with Israel took place in Ephraim Forest.

Battles were being fought all over the forest, and David's soldiers were winning. Twenty thousand soldiers were killed that day, and more of them died from the dangers of the forest than from the fighting itself. Absalom was riding his mule under a huge tree when his head caught in the branches. The mule ran off and left Absalom hanging in midair.

...Ten of Joab's bodyguards came over and finished him off...

The Ethiopian came and said, "Your Majesty, today I have good news! The LORD has rescued you from all your enemies!"

"Is my son Absalom all right?" David asked.

The Ethiopian replied, "I wish that all Your Majesty's enemies and everyone who tries to harm you would end up like him!"

David started trembling. Then he went up to the room above the city gate to cry. As he went, he kept saying, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I could have died instead of you! Absalom, my son, my son!"

* * *

How do you respond to this scripture? What feelings, thoughts, and prompts to personal action arise? Share them as Comments or in an email, if you like.