What can we learn about patience from Absalom's actions in 2 Samuel 14:29? Scripture Snapshot “Then Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. So he sent a second time, but Joab still would not come.” (2 Samuel 14:29) Setting the Scene • Absalom has lived two years in Jerusalem under semi-house-arrest, never invited into King David’s presence (14:28). • Eager to be fully restored, he summons Joab—David’s military commander and his own on-again, off-again ally. • Joab refuses, twice. Absalom’s frustration immediately boils over (see v. 30, where he sets Joab’s field on fire). Absalom’s Impatience Exposed • He insists on his own timetable after only two unanswered attempts. • He treats influential relationships as tools to leverage rather than people to respect. • His refusal to wait drives him to manipulate circumstances by force. • The pattern echoes earlier impulsive choices—premeditated revenge on Amnon (13:28-29)—showing impatience was already a habit. The Cost of Impatience • Strained relationships: burning Joab’s field wins an audience but forfeits trust. • Escalation: impatience here foreshadows the full-blown rebellion of chapter 15. • Spiritual fallout: he never seeks the Lord; his focus is entirely horizontal. • Personal ruin: impatience sows seeds that ultimately lead to Absalom’s death (18:9-15). Patience as God Describes It • “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14) • “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…” (Galatians 5:22) • “Whoever is slow to anger is of great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29) • “The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and patience is better than pride.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8) • “Therefore, brothers, be patient until the Lord’s coming.” (James 5:7) Lessons for Our Lives • Patience trusts God’s timing; impatience tries to pry open doors God has not yet unlocked. • Waiting refines character; forcing events exposes pride and a lack of self-control. • Genuine patience treats people as image-bearers, not pawns for our plans. • Short-term success gained through impatience often seeds long-term loss. • Spiritual fruit is cultivated, not seized; the Spirit produces patience as we surrender daily (Galatians 5:22-23). Putting Patience into Practice This Week • Pause before pressing: if a “second request” is ignored, pray rather than push. • Guard speech and actions when delays frustrate you; slow responses honor God (Proverbs 14:29). • Review motives: Are you seeking God’s glory or personal leverage? • Replace manipulation with intercession—bring the matter repeatedly to the Lord, not to those you wish to coerce. • Celebrate every small victory in waiting; patience grows by continual, Spirit-led choice. |
    |