Not a Father Like David: Principles for Parenting

We’ve been studying the life of King David and if we’ve learned anything about him so far, it’s that he was far from perfect, yet God was able to use him.

Now through relationships in his life we’ve looked at issues such as

-how to have a heart like God

-how to take on giants

-how to be a friend

-and how to affair proof your marriage.

Our last look at what we can learn from David covers chapters 13-18 of 2 Samuel. And rather than reading 6 chapters aloud, I’m going to try to summarize them and to tell you the story. I encourage you to read chapters 13-18 before Sunday (or at least afterwards). It’s quite a story of sex, murder, lies, and anguish. If it were a movie it would definitely be rated “R.”

This weekend, as we celebrate dads, we’re going to look at parenting through how he responded to a rebellious child. What we’ll see is no temper tantrum in the mall. This was no 3 day suspension from school. David’s son, Absolam, ignited a rebellion that led to battles, bloodshed, and death.

It will be a great lesson for all who have children in their lives, regardless of whose children they are.