Absalom Sets A Trap For Amnon: What Is The Legacy You'll Leave Behind? Series

King David allowed two sins into his life when he committed sexuality immorality by taking Bathsheba to be his wife. Then he committed murder when he ordered Uriah the husband of Bathsheba to be left to die in battle.

In my family, certain sins have persisted over the generations. My grandpa smoked most of his life, quit later in life, my dad quit after smoking, and I smoked, and later quit as well.

There are certain sins that can persist in the family line once they come about. King David had committed sexual sin, and then we saw his eldest son Amnon do the same when he violated his sister Tamar.

Now we’re going to see another incident in which sins that David committed crop up among his children.

Sin has consequences. And not always just for you. What about the people around us? What about our children? Will they notice our example and follow it? The example we set can be destructive.

The opposite is also true. If we set an example of righteousness, then it may yet continue through our family line into the future.

During the Korean war my grandpa didn’t go with the other guys to the strip clubs or bars, he would stay in the trenches. He was a married man. He later would share the gospel with my mom and me and we would get saved. He was establishing in his family a lineage of faith.

Many things are connected in ways we don't fully realize. So many things are connected in our lives with the past. Almost everything in fact in our society, not just our individual lives, is linked with hundreds and thousands of years of history and historical precedents. God works that way. His system works that way. The sin of Adam and Eve has affected every single person on planet Earth ever since.

My decisions of my ancestors affect my life today. The decisions of my grandfather and dad affect my life. My dad worked at the salvation army, now I work for the salvation army as well. Many things are connected in ways we don’t fully realize.

God sees the big picture. So we can trust Him. Our part is to trust and obey. We can be victims of history. Or we can change the story, by striking out in faith.

But let’s dive into 2nd Samuel 13, second half of the chapter, starting at verse 23-24:

23 Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there. 24 Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?”

Absalom apparently had many sheep, and it was customary to celebrate, have a feast, a celebration, at the time of the shearing of the sheep. It’s similar to how in the USA we celebrate thanksgiving after harvest time in November.

Absalom invites King David and his family to attend the celebration.

Next in verses 25-27:

25 “No, my son,” the king replied. “All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave him his blessing.

26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.”

The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.

So we start to see what Absalom is up to. Absalom has hated Amnon since Amnon violated his sister Tamar. He wants to make sure Amnon is at the feast.

King David is suspicious at first, but being that all his sons will be there, he assumes then Amnon would be safe. Safety in numbers, right?

Next he carries out his plan, in verses 28-29: Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” 29 So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.

King David had once ordered his men to get rid of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. Now, Absalom follows in his father’s footsteps, and orders his men to kill Amnon.

At the height of the celebration, Amnon is struck down in front of Absalom’s brothers. They all flee the area.

In verses 30-31: While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.” 31 The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn.