“Then the woman said, ‘Let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.’”—2 Samuel 14:12 (NIV)

Have you ever given advice to someone you know you wouldn’t take? It’s easy to offer a solution when your life won’t be affected. It doing this, it makes you question if you’re a hypocrite or if your situation is more nuanced. It’s a wonderful thing to question, really, because it gets you thinking more intentionally about the decisions that form your actions.

In our devotional yesterday, a wise woman from Tekoa received a pardon from King David for her son. Today, she asks for one more moment with the king—one that will no longer have her seek his wisdom, but challenge his own actions. 

She brings up David’s own personal struggle regarding his son, Absalom, who murdered his brother for raping his sister. This act has kept David separated from his son for three years. David longs for Absalom’s return, but holds himself back from finding him. But the woman from Tekoa makes it clear that the estrangement isn’t only a familial matter, but it hurts the people of Israel, too. So, she questions why he would he pardon her son—a murderer he doesn’t know in a situation he knows little about—but not pardon his own son.

This woman makes her case by not only discussing what’s happening in the present moment, but also by pointing to the future. She reminds David that life is fleeting. To hold a grudge and refuse reconciliation is foolish when we think about how little time on earth we have. The time to act is now. It’s an argument that plays on the heartstrings of a father who loves his son.

She states God isn’t interested in taking life. Instead, He “devises means” for banished lives to live. In Leviticus, He created ways for sinners to come back to God through sacrifice. We may sometimes feel like Absalom—banished and bitter when we do something that grieves God. Still, He doesn’t intend to harm us; He instead desires to draw us close and reconcile. God, in His perfect wisdom, brings the sinner into repentance and reconciliation. It’s a beautiful foreshadowing of the New Testament gospel. 

The woman argues that as the king, David’s called to do the same. She ends with a sort of disclaimer and plea, as public outrage over Absalom’s banishment has left her terrified of the people’s response if he doesn’t return. With God’s anointing, King David should walk in wisdom and discernment. He shouldn’t sit by when God is with him.

Let this be our reminder to carefully consider our actions (or inactions). Our decisions may not only have a personal impact, but sometimes a communal one. 

Pause: Is there a difficult area in your life you’re avoiding?

Practice: After prayer and thought, take the first step towards action in this area.

Pray: My God, in an effort to keep life calm and in control, I sometimes choose to do nothing. Awaken me to Your Spirit, and help me move forward in confidence. My life and my actions are Yours. Amen.