And she answered, “Indeed I am a widow, my husband is dead. 6 Now your maidservant had two sons; and the two fought with each other in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him. 7 And now the whole family has risen up against your maidservant, and they said, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may execute him for the life of his brother whom he killed; and we will destroy the heir also.’ So they would extinguish my ember that is left, and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the earth.”
It seems likely that this story is simply a parable told by the woman to make a point to King David. She may have had such sons, but it’s more likely that she’s trying to help the king with issues in his own family. Still, there’s enough truth to this kind of story that it’s worth reflecting on today.
When brothers fight, much is at risk. Quarrels between brothers make the loss of both a real possibility for families—even when the conflict doesn’t rise close to the level of death. Many families today are divided and even broken by the fights between brothers. One rejects the other or learns to hate and soon both are estranged not only from one another, but the brokenness spreads to the entire family. Family events are uncomfortable or certain chairs are empty, and those who love them find their hurt spreading in ways many families never overcome.
If you have a brother (even a brother in Christ), never let quarrels escalate to brokenness. You are affecting more than just your fellow combatant. (By the way, this is true for sisters too.)
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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