King David
“O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18:33
The life of David was by no means an easy one. After defeating Goliath, David had to flee from King Saul. He became jealous of David and wanted to kill him. Later, when David was king, his son Absalom convinced the people that he would be a better king than his father. David had to flee Jerusalem with his family to escape Absalom’s invasion.
How did David react when these two adversaries were killed? When Saul died, we read that David and his men “mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul.” (2 Samuel 1:12) When David received word that Absalom was killed, he wept and mourned, wishing he had died in place of his rebellious son. What love this king had, even for his enemies.
The love we see in David’s life is eternally amplified in the life of Jesus, the king of love. Not only did He teach us to love our enemies and pray for them, but Jesus Himself practiced what He preached. Jesus wept over the people of Jerusalem that had rejected Him as their Savior King and would soon call for Him to be crucified. Violently abused and unjustly condemned, nailed hand and foot to the cross, Jesus prayed for His torturers, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Let there be no doubt that Jesus loved His enemies, including you! While David wished that he had died instead of his rebellious son, Jesus actually did die in your place. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus truly is the King of Love. Rejoice in His love for you and let it shine forth in your love for those around you.
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me, even though I am an unlovable sinner disobeys the will of Your Father. Work Your forgiving love in My heart by Your Spirit, that I may rejoice in Your forgiveness and love others as You have loved me. Amen.
For further devotional reading, read Psalm 3 and make the words of the King your own.