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I Kings 1:1-53, Acts 4:1-37, Psalm 124:1-8, Proverbs 16:24
“At about that time, David’s son Adonijah (his mother was Haggith) decided to crown himself king in place of his aged father. So, he hired chariots and drivers and recruited fifty men to run down the streets before him as royal footmen. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time – not so much as a single scolding! He was a very handsome man and was Absalom’s younger brother.” I Kings 1:5-6
Let’s unpack this! If you remember, Absalom was trying to get the people away from his father because he wanted to be king. He had a deep hatred toward his father because David did not correct his half-brother Amnon when he raped and disgraced Absalom’s sister Tamar. As a result, Absalom sets Amnon up and he dies. Now we see Absalom’s younger brother, Adonijah, trying to usurp David and take the throne from his brothers before David is even dead.
David was a man after God’s heart. David was a worshiper. David struggled as a parent. Did he have too many wives, too many children? I don’t know their family dynamic, but I do see that He was not a disciplinarian. He did nothing to correct his children and tragedy followed. Children need boundaries. They are too young and inexperienced in life to make quality decisions. Discipline helps tutor them throughout their younger years. (I am not speaking to abuse, but to normal correction given as a means to guide a child.) A nurse has to give a shot to prevent flu. A doctor cuts on a patient in order to repair another part of the body. Just so, a parent has to be able to inflict some pain in order to bring healing in an area of the child’s life that if left unaddressed will cause greater pain in the future. Discipline helps a child to slow down and take stock of their actions. Correction teaches children about consequences. If David had just sat down with his children to speak to them about things they were doing or had he administered a little corporeal punishment, he may have spared his children heartache and premature death.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to develop boundaries in my own life. I pray to know how I can guide my children or any other children in my life in order to set them on a positive path. Help me not to turn my head when I need to see and do something. Lead us Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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