Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feastday of St. Agatha, a martyr of Sicily. Legend has it that she suffered sexual assaults and indignity in her martyrdom. I am sure the merciful Lord would make her a patron saint and protector of sexual workers many of whom are victims of the exploitative patriarchal systems ancient and modern. Imagine a world in which the norm was for women to become wives and mothers. Then, Christianity would a dangerous cult when her female believers refused to get married, but secretly married to their Jesus! This kind of teaching was anti-social and subversive to the status quo. Little wonder, many early Christians had suffered martyrdom.
St. Agatha, pray for your oppressed sisters that their sufferings may quicken the coming of God's glorious Kingdom. Pray for the Pilgrim Church on earth that her journey here and now will purify her to become the Perfect Bride of Christ. Amen.
Now, let's return to the story of Absalom. He was the third son born to David in Hebron. His mother was Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur in the north (2 Samuel 3:3b). Naturally, after killing Amnon who had raped Tamar his sister, Absalom fled to Talmai, his maternal grandfather (2 Samuel 13:37).With royal blood flowing in his vein, little wonder Absalom was a beautiful and charming young man, without blemish. He had legendary long hair which he cut once a year (2 Samuel 14:25-26). After his reconciliation with David, he conducted himself with royal air. "After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him" (2 Samuel 15:1). I do not know the royal institution at David's time. But if Absalom had exceeded the usual practice in vanity, this would reveal his ambition to usurp the throne. Then Absalom spent 4 years to win the hearts of all the men of Israel. David must have been aware of this. Yet, whether it was out of his love of Absalom or his intention to weaken the Israel tribes, David allowed this conspiracy to grow unabated, without nipping it in the bud. The first story in 【左傳】鄭伯克段於鄢 may throw lights on the teaching responsibility of David toward Absalom.
The first piece of advice Ahithophel gave Absalom was for him to openly violate the 10 concubines David had left behind to take care of the household. Absalom followed and did it "in the sight of all Israel" (2 Samuel 16:21-22). St. Agatha, what would you feel about this? One and a half century of women emancipation has dumbed our senses of the cruelty to which women had been subjected for thousands of years. Women had long been a part of men's possession and property. Committing adultery was no more than occupying your neighbour's house without consent. Pay a sum and the matter would be settled! In war time, rapes are frequent. Impregnating the women of your enemies has even become a strategic action. Women continue to become victims of patriarchal systems. These days, local female celebrities have been victimized by the circulation of nudity pictures of theirs on the Internet. Their private parts are exposed in the sight of all while the males (the police and the Internet community) continue to enjoy playing their games to outwit each other. History has a peculiar way to repeat itself.
The second piece of advice Ahithophel gave was his war plan. He intended to call up 12000 men to focus on David alone while he was weary and discouraged. Hushai foiled his plan. He advised Absalom to call up all the Israel tribes and that Absalom should go to battle in person (2 Samuel 17:11). This met the vanity of Absalom. The author of Samuel told us that it was the Lord who intended to bring evil on Absalom (2 Samuel 17:14). However, when David prepared to go to war, his commanders advised him to stay behind in the city of Mahanaim from where he would send help (2 Samuel 18:3). Before marching out for war, David ordered his 3 commanders to "deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 18:5). That day, David's servants killed 20000 Israelites (2 Samuel 18:7). In the end, Joab and his men killed Absalom while he was hanging midair with his hair entangled in a big oak tree (2 Samuel 18:9-15). It was Joab who brought reconciliation between David and Absalom and it was Joab who finished Absalom. What irony fate is!
How did David mourn for his sons? The first son Bathsheba bore David died 7 days after birth. In these 7 days, David fasted and besought the Lord. After its death, David resumed eating. He comforted Bathsheba and she gave birth to Solomon (2 Samuel 12:15-24)! After Amnon was killed, David mourned for his son day after day (2 Samuel 13:37b), but it was not clear whether it was Amnon or Absalom that David mourned for. After Absalom was killed, David cried with a loud voice, "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 19:4). But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me (2 Samuel 12:23). It is no use to mourn after their deaths. Rather, teach them to fear the Lord so that they might lead a life without any regret.
My God, heavy indeed is the responsibility of a father and You honour me with 4 children. I have taught hundreds of young men and women. But that does not make me a good enough father. I was brought up by a domineering mother and in reaction to this, I have been following the example of the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. O my Heaven Father, guide me through that I may bear the fatherly responsibility properly so that my children may prosper, may not invite evils from You. May they become Your handy instruments to channel Your loving grace to all men. Amen.
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