2 Samuel 13:23-29 – The danger of anger

Although the Bible said that Absalom hated Amnon for humiliating his sister, it did not describe what took place within him. It would not be over imagining to reckon that he would be plotting to avenge his aggrieved sister. It would also not be too much to imagine him seething in silent anger. So 2 Samuel 13:23-29 hinted that after two years, Absalom was ready to carry out his revenge on Amnon. It is not wrong to say that his plot took two years in the making. It is not too much also to think that during those times, he harbored the thought that Amnon needed to be severely chastised for the heinous crime he had committed. And perhaps in those two years, he was hoping that David, his father, would do something. But to his disappointment, apart from being angry David did nothing. He was probably seething in silent anger for two years till his resentment and bitterness toward Amnon were greatly exacerbated.  

In his plot, he first invited his father and his brothers to celebrate the sheepshearing ceremony with him at Baal-hazor. Being considerate, David declined. He did not want Absalom to incur more expense than it was needed just to get him and his entourage there. The quick-thinking Absalom, then requested that Amnon be sent to represent him at the ceremony. The unsuspecting father was clueless about what he intended to do. So he acceded to the request and granted permission for Amnon to attend the ceremony together with his other sons. So Amnon together with all the king's other sons attended Absalom’s sheepshearing ceremony at Baal-hazor in Ephraim.   

Absalom’s subversion to kill Amnon had all been set. He told his men in no uncertain terms to be ready and to kill Amnon when his heart was merry. So when Amnon had become drunk, Absalom’s men carried out his order and slew Amnon. When that took place, all of David’s other sons fled in terror each on his mule. It must have been quite a commotion. The way Absalom had Amnon assassinated would cause more troubles, but he couldn’t care. He was bent on taking revenge for the sister. Vengeance by its very nature is calculated to be cruel, so he had Amnon assassinated in cold blood. But for us New Testament believers, it pays to know that we are commanded to leave the vengeance to God. Romans 12:19 clearly states “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.’”

The passage today also shows us what anger, when not properly handled, can become uncontrollable and detrimental. It can cause a person to be cold-hearted and cruel. Hear a word from Jesus, our Lord concerning anger. In Matthew 5:22 He admonishes us to control our anger. He said, “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” In  Ephesians 4:26, the Apostle Paul’s counsel is, “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Lastly in James 1:20, we are reminded that anger cannot do the righteous works of God. It is true that anger is just one letter short of danger. Control it before it wreaks havoc in our lives. So, beware!