No one sees or thinks clearly when and where love is involved.
This is why we all need the eyes and mind of someone else to correctly appraise a situation that involves our loved ones. Joab filled this role for David when he confronted Absalom’s rebellion.
This means we are none the wise where we are thus involved. The best of us must seek and use wise counsel. This is true concerning our children. It is also true concerning our intended spouses and almost everyone else we are favourably disposed towards.
For this same reason, it is wise to not only listen to the commendations of our friends and loved ones. We need our enemies a lot more here. They may indeed exaggerate our faults and shortcomings, but their criticism can be more helpful and closer to the truth.
King David, in our passage which is Second Samuel chapter 19, is seen at his weakest ever. The king could not help but weep helplessly in the open. For this, the whole nation is greatly discouraged. Those who just fought bravely to resecure the kingdom are put in low spirits.
In our day, leaders are prevented from being unduly emotional in public. Absalom receives the love and emotion he did not deserve. The truth is, no one deserves love. It is one of the best gifts of life that comes for free.
It is perfectly normal for a parent to be wholesomely emotional about their children. Love overlooks a multitude of shortcomings.
Today many advocate love that does not make you vulnerable. That is unnatural and a recipe for disaster that is far worse.
This is why those that the devil holds by the throat are preaching “self love” as the first condition for loving others.
