2 Samuel 19:1-3 Excessive Mourning!

 ”And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.“ II Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. The victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people: This was not good. David’s loyal and sacrificing supporters won that day for the glory of God and the good of Israel. Then they felt bad about the victory because David was overcome with excessive weeping and mourning for Absalom.

i. There is such a thing as excessive mourning – mourning that is basically rooted in unbelief and self-indulgence. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul warned Christians: I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.Some Christians sorrow at times of death or tragedy like those who have no hope in God and this is wrong to do.

ii. “If your dear ones are dead you cannot restore them to life by your unbelief; and if they still survive, it will be a pity to be downcast and unbelieving when there is no occasion for it. ‘Your strength is to sit still.’ Remember that you are a Christian, and a Christian is expected to be more self-possessed than those who have no God to fly to.” (Spurgeon)

b. The people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed: David’s excessive sorrow made his loyal friends and supporters feel ashamed that they had won a great victory. (Guzik)

Excessive Mourning!

When David’s and Bathsheba’s illegitimate child died David got up, cleaned himself off and ate. When questioned about his response to the death he responded that he knew he would see his child again, in heaven.

I wonder if David’s excessive mourning was because he knew he wouldn’t ever see Absalom again? With everything written about Absalom, nothing says anything about his faith in the Lord and his actions clearly indicates the opposite.

Do you fly to God during times of mourning?

Blessings