David and Sons: A Cautionary Tale
By Bill Valine
Many families in this country have a proud heritage of military service that has been passed down from grandfather to father, and from father to son. This was true in biblical times, as well. But of King David’s nineteen sons mentioned in 1 Chronicles 3:1-9, not one served in the Army. This seems remarkable, given the fact that David came from a family with a strong military tradition.
David himself was a warrior under King Saul at a very young age, and was surrounded by relatives who were also men of war, beginning with his three brothers, Eliab, Abinadab, and Machishua (1 Samuel 17:13). Five nephews and one great nephew were soldiers: Amasa, the son of David’s sister, Abigail (2 Samuel 17:25); Jonathan, the son of his brother Shamma (2 Samuel 21:21); Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, sons of his sister, Zeruiah (2 Samuel 2:8); and Asahel’s son, Zebediah (1 Chronicles 17:7).
David, like many parents, had a strong desire to protect his children from the dangers he had faced in his own life. He wanted to keep them out of harm’s way as much as possible – far away from injury or death. Saul’s sons, on the other hand, were all involved on the front lines with their father. Chapter 31 of 1 Samuel gives the account of Saul and his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, all dying in the same battle on the same day as they faced their enemies shoulder to shoulder. Saul’s sons stood with him to the death, united by their father’s cause.
David’s family, while shielded from danger, was filled with intrigue and betrayal. His son Amnon violated his half-sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-19) and was killed by her brother Absalom, who later seized the kingdom from his father David (2 Samuel 13:28,29;15:10). David’s nephew Joab killed his uncle, Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14) and restored the kingdom, but later David’s son Adonijah declared himself king in David’s old age (1 Kings 1:5). He was executed by David’s son Solomon (half-brother to Adonijah and heir to the throne - 1 Kings 2:24,25), who later indulged his lusts and had his heart drawn away from God by his pagan wives (1 Kings 11:1-6).
We see evidence here that shielding our children from the dangers and stresses of life is seldom the best course – one that may actually weaken the family and injure the very children we are trying to protect. In John 16:33, Jesus told His disciples that as long as we are alive we face danger and risk. He said, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Don’t shield your children from the ridicule and distress of an unbelieving world. Teach them to live strong for Jesus, to charge into every battle they face, and to overcome the world. Stand together as a family of warriors united in God’s kingdom cause.