But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
2 Samuel 15:30-31 (NIV)

Forgiveness may erase guilt, but it does not erase consequences.

When confronted with stealing Uriah’s wife and having the man killed to cover it up, David immediately confesses. The prophet Nathan immediately responds, “The LORD has taken away your sin.”

But David’s actions were a falling pebble that would slowly create an avalanche of tragic events. In today’s chapter, the avalanche tears David’s family, his reign, and his kingdom apart. David’s own son, Absalom, launches one of the most cunning political coups in history – and it mirrors David’s own sin — the pebble that started the avalanche.

David secretly took another man’s wife. Absalom secretly takes David’s kingdom.

David manipulated Uriah. Absalom manipulates Israel.

David abused royal authority. Absalom abuses public trust.

Like father, like son. The judgment mirrors the sin.

One of the things that I’ve observed along my own life journey is that facing the consequences of my own mistakes affords me an opportunity. When my own self-induced avalanches hit, I can excuse, blame, and obfuscate. From what I’ve observed that’s the most common human M.O. Or, I can step up, own my mistakes, face the consequences, and rustle up some character and integrity that was lacking when I originally blew it.

I found it fascinating that when Absalom springs his trap, the first thing that David does is take his closest allies and flee Jerusalem.

“Good,” I thought to myself in the quiet as I read. “David has always been at his best when he’s on the run.”

Sure enough, in the midst of the most pivotal crisis of his reign, flickers of the young man after God’s own heart begin to shine through. He doesn’t ride his horse like a king. He walks barefoot like a penitent — a humbled, vulnerable, and desperate man. It is one of the most stunning foreshadowings in the entire Great Story…

David leaves Jerusalem rejected.
Jesus leaves Jerusalem rejected.
David crosses the Kidron Valley.
Jesus crosses the Kidron Valley.
David ascends the Mount of Olives weeping.
Jesus ascends the Mount of Olives weeping.
David is betrayed by a trusted counselor.
Jesus is betrayed by Judas.
David is surrounded by faithful followers who don’t fully understand.
Jesus is surrounded by disciples who don’t fully understand.
David prays.
Jesus prays.

David reaches the summit of the Mount of Olives. He’s barefoot and crying. His kingdom appears finished. His family is shattered. His closest advisor has betrayed him.

What does he pray?

Not, “Destroy Absalom.”
Not, “Restore my throne back.”
Not, “Save me.”

He prays, “Lord…turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

It’s astonishingly small. One prayer. One small request.

If one wrong move started this avalanche, maybe what David needs is just one step in the right direction.

I’ve learned in the midst of my own avalanches that faith isn’t always asking God to solve everything at once. Sometimes faith is trusting Him with today’s impossible conversation, this afternoon’s decision, or the next faithful step. The psalmist tells me that God’s Word is a footlamp, not a floodlight. God rarely reveals to me the road ahead. More often, He gives me a little circle of light — just enough for making my next step the right one.

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