Do The Right Thing, Don't Make Exceptions

Because look what happens when you do.

2 Samuel 14:21-24(NKJV)

21And the king said to Joab, “All right, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, bring back the young man Absalom.”

22Then Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed himself, and thanked the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.” 

23So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 

24And the king said, “Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king’s face.

To bring you up to speed, Absalom whose father is King David, killed one of David's sons by a different mother, and many would say justifiably so because the other son had raped Absalom's daughter.  But the fact was the Absalom plotted and deceived in order to kill the other son and so Absalom was banished from the Kingdom.

But here is where King David made a mistake.  He knew banishing Absalom was the correct thing to do but he also missed his son.  He let others talk him in to allowing Absalom to return.

Now some would say he was showing mercy but let's see how it turned out. 

2 Samuel 15:1-6(NKJV)

1After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 

2Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 

3Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 

4Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 

5And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 

6In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 15:10-13(NKJV)

10Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” 

11And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. 

12Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.

13Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

And as a result King David had to flee from the son he had shown mercy to.

Here is the lesson that I take from this.  There was a system of rules and laws in place that governed the killing of another man.  There were cities of refuge where you could go for safety but you had to stay there until the next Jubilee.  King David knew all that but he over rode the law and made an exception.  In other words he substituted his judgment for God's law and look how that turned out.