Fault Has Limits

“And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.” (2Sa 14:21 AV)

Joab came to David and had a discussion about the banishment of Absalom.  Absalom, because of his unauthorized judgement upon his half-brother, Amnon, had to flee to his grandfather’s house in Gezur.  Absalom had Amnon killed because he raped Tamar.  David, after two years, had not dealt with it.  Why is chose not to we can only surmise.  Perhaps he felt unqualified after his affair with Bathsheba.  Perhaps he was giving Amnon some time to reconsider marrying Tamar so as not to disgrace them both.  Whatever the case, David felt responsible for Absalom’s situation.  Perhaps a bit too responsible.

David did suffer from a lack of moral credibility.  He had an affair with Bathsheba that now came back as a fault which Absalom perhaps used to justify his own actions.  Then there was the fact that David was the one who sent Tamar to Amnon in the first place.  He was naïve at the intentions of Amnon.  Not judging Amnon in the first place was a fault.  At least one that Absalom took as a fault.  We know that David was comforted that justice came to Amnon.  What David did do was to take all the blame for Absalom’s rebellion.  Absalom acted in an arena of which he was not allowed.  If he wanted justice, he should have asked for it rather than to take it in hand himself.  David blamed his lack of judgement as the reason for Absalom’s situation.  Perhaps he took way too much of the blame.

As leaders, we are not perfect.  Whether a parent, pastor, or politician, we are not without our faults.  Perhaps we give some cause for the rebellion of those under us.  What one must remember is these faults may be and excuse of the rebellious, but it is not a reason.  They are rebels not because of our failures.  Rather, they are rebels because it is in their heart to be so.  Yet, every rebel wishes to justify his rebellion on the faults of those whom are over them.  The funny thing is, when they become authority figures, those under them will do the same.  Sure, perhaps we could have made better judgments.  Sure, perhaps we could have been more faithful or consistent.  Sure, perhaps we could have shown more love.  Ultimately, however, the choice belongs to the individual.  Would things have turned out differently?  Probably not.  For if it was not one fault, it would have been another that would give the rebel and excuse for his behavior.  Take upon oneself only that fault that rightly belongs to you.  Not that which belongs to another.