Explicit evidence of God working behind the scenes, using even human error and sin to accomplish his purposes is found in 17:16. Because of Absalom’s sin and deceit the Lord uses the false counsel of Ahithophel to punish Absalom. The impact of David’s ill directed love of his son is open for all the people to see (18:5ff; 19:1-8) and brings shame and discouragement and ruin on the kingdom God had given to David to rule in righteousness.
And the pride and arrogance of Absalom is the very thing God uses to bring about his ruin. His long beautiful hair(14:25-27) that was so admired by all is what God used to destroy him. When we disobey God and when we love anything more than God and when we teach our children the same, it brings destruction and ruin.
Chapter 20 the intrigue continues, even though Absalom is now dead. Another rises up to challenge the king and to continue the divide of Israel. 20:1 describes this man, Sheba, as a scoundrel. All of this warfare and intrigue can get in the way of our seeing the continues story of salvation in all of this history. The story of the “wise woman” ( 20:16) in chapter 20, is more evidence of God using unlikely people to ensure his plan of salvation through gathering the people of Israel in order to bring about the promised Messiah. God indeed is an amazing God! He is powerful and compassionate, he is holy and merciful. He alone always does what is right and executes justice.
The lessons for us from these stories are many. The main one being when we know what God asks us to do, will we listen and obey? When we have to choose between what feels good (not punishing a child for wrong doing) or what is right (honoring God’s word) which will we choose? Will we believe, no matter what the circumstances, that God really does have control of all things and knows what is best for us and that following his instructions leads to life? Every day we are given opportunities to choose to follow God or something or someone else. What will be our choice?