2 Samuel 13:30

2 Samuel 13:30 says, And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.  David received a message that Absalom had killed all his brothers.  This was not true, and often the things that we hear today are not true.  It is up to us as Christians to ensure that we are telling the truth and verify the truth of what we hear to the best of our ability.  Verse thirty-one adds, Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.  David began to deeply mourn what he heard had happened without first verifying it and his servants mourned with nim.  We should certainly never lead others into mourning over something that may not be totally true.  Yes, David would likely have still mourned over the death of Amnon, but his despair would not have been as severe.  Verse thirty-two continues, And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.  Jonadab at least brought David the truth, and that is what we need to do as followers of Christ.  Only Amnon had been killed by Absalom and this was done to avenge what Amnon had done to Tamar.  David himself really should have been the one to punish Amnon.  If we as Christians allow sin that we know of to go unpunished, someone else may take action to punish the one who committed the sin.  Verse thirty-three concludes, Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.  Jonadab told David to not be so deeply troubled, because only Amnon was dead.  This was still a reason to mourn, but not a reason to be so desolate.  We should not mourn for things that we hear about that have not happened, but only for those that have.  Verse thirty-four states, But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.  Absalom fled, but the rest of the people returned to David. If someone that we know has committed sin, they may flee from God's presence, but we as Christians must return to Him instead.  Verse thirty-five adds, And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.  Jonadab told David to look and he would see his sons returning to Him.  Through the whole situation with Amnon we never read about David seeking God's guidance in the situation, and if we are encountering a sinful situation today, if we do seek God's guidance immediately, it may lead to even greater problems.  Verse thirty-six continues, And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.  As soon as Jonadab had concluded speaking, all of David's sons, except Absalom and Amnon, came to him and they mourned together for Amnon.  Amnon may have been guilty of something worthy of death, but he was still a son and brother.  We should mourn the death of our our brothers and sisters in Christ today, but we should mourn the death of those who die without God's forgiveness even more and the only way to forgiveness is through accepting Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-seven says, But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.  Absalom went to the king of Talmai the son of the king of Geshur for help.  David mourned for his son, whether this was for Amnon’s death or Absalom’s absence is not clear, though it might have been both.   Verse thirty-eight adds, So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.  Absalom remained in Geshur for three years.  The king of Geshur did not send him back and David did not go to bring him back.  If someone commits a sin today, especially our fellow believers, we should not just ignore their sin, but we should actively seek to return them to a right relationship with God.  Then verse thirty-nine continues, And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.  David longed to restore his relationship with Absalom, and he was comforted with Amnon’s death.  Once a person dies, there is nothing more that we can do for them, so we must go on with life and be more concerned with those still alive than with those who are dead.