It's Almost Like the Godfather

540- Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 13:23-29, “And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 Then Absalom came to the king and said, "Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant." 25 But the king said to Absalom, "No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be a burden to you." Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him. 26 Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." And the king said to him, "Why should he go with you?" 27 But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, "Watch now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon!' then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant." 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each one got on his mule and fled. (2 Sam 13:23-29) Two full years have passed since the incident with Tamar, but Absalom has not forgotten. Absalom has done a good job of hiding his pure hatred of Amnon from others and life appears to have returned to normal. It is normal to shear sheep and normal to celebrate with a big party. So Absalom invites all his brothers including Amnon and his father David. To have the king attend sheep shearing would require some extra preparations and expenses so David begs off and even tries to get Prince Amnon out of attending, but Absalom insists and so Amnon and all his brothers attend. Absalom then instructs his servants to strike Amnon at the height of merriment and kill him. They do, and all of his brothers hop on their mules and flee for their own lives! This whole scenario sounds more like something we would see in the movie “The Godfather.” In fact, I don't think I'll ever view the movie the same again! My friend, don't let your life become like the movie “The Godfather.” Take these words to heart again: Eph 4:31, says, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.