The King Was Deeply Moved

⏱️ 4 minutes.

The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” — 2 Samuel 18:33

Here we see David’s response after receiving the news that his son Absalom had died. This reaction is striking and unexpected. At this point in David’s life, Absalom was not merely a wayward son—he was his enemy. He had driven David out of Jerusalem, committed grievous acts, declared himself king, and was actively pursuing his father to kill him.

Yet, despite all this, Absalom’s wrongdoing did not diminish David’s love for him. When David sent his men into battle under Joab, he gave them explicit instructions to deal gently with his son.

In light of everything Absalom had done, David’s response is deeply surprising. Instead of relief or even vindication, he is overcome with grief. The Bible tells us he wept bitterly, crying out, “My son, my son, my son.” He even goes so far as to wish that he had died in Absalom’s place.

On many occasions, we might assume that the “right” response in such a situation would be to celebrate the defeat of an enemy. But what was expected to be a victory celebration quickly turned into mourning for David.

In this, we catch a glimpse of the heart of God toward those who harden their hearts and persist in disobedience.

Say to them, ‘As I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.’ — Ezekiel 33:11

God does not delight in judgment for its own sake. His desire is that the wicked would turn and live.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. — 1 Timothy 2:3–4

The heart of God is not cruel or tyrannical, as though He takes pleasure in destroying His enemies. Rather, it grieves Him when people reject Him and choose death over life.

We see this heart most clearly in the person of Jesus Christ.

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it. — Luke 19:41

As Jesus looked upon Jerusalem—seeing a people led astray and resistant to God—He was moved to tears. This is the heart of God: not only full of justice, but also rich in compassion and grace.

When we consider our own condition, this becomes even more profound.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. — Psalm 14:1–3

Like Absalom toward David, we too have been rebellious toward God. We have sinned against Him, resisted Him, and lived as His enemies.

And yet, because of His great love and mercy, God did not leave us in that state.

He came to us in the person of Jesus Christ—taking on the form of a servant, living a perfect life, and going to the cross to die for all who would believe in Him.

This is the heart of God.

As we reflect on David’s grief over Absalom, let us be reminded of our heavenly Father’s heart—a heart that desires not the destruction of the wicked, but their salvation.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. — Matthew 28:19–20

This is also the heart of God expressed in His mission to the world. As we go out, let us not see people merely as enemies of God, but as those whom God desires to redeem.

Let us be quick to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, knowing that our God desires that all would be saved.

May it be that, as we consider David’s grief over his son Absalom, we would come to see more clearly the compassionate and gracious heart of our God.