The Old Testament writers were masters of “show, don’t tell.” Consider the tale of the woman from Tekoa.

King David’s son Absalom has been banished for killing his brother. (The motive is a whole other story. See the rape of Tamar.) David’s chief of staff Joab wants to reconcile David and Absalom and restore peace of mind to the people so he employs the services of a wise woman. He instructs her to pretend she is in mourning and to seek the king’s help.

The wise woman bows before King David and plays his heartstrings. Claiming to be a widow whose family is in upheaval because one of her sons has killed his brother, she says her family is calling for the execution of her remaining son. This will leave her childless and penniless.

When David agrees to intervene she drops the pretense and confronts him with these words:

“Why don’t you do as much for the people of God as you have promised to do for me?” David agrees.

What does this story say about David’s character?

1. He is approachable
2. He is compassionate
3. He is mighty before his people
4. He is humble before God
5. He is flexible

Of course David is best known for two other stories: he killed Goliath to free his people and he bedded Bathsheba and killed her husband to cover his crime.

Add these character traits to the list:

1. He is courageous
2. He’s an opportunist
3. He’s a weasel

God’s punished David by creating discord in his family. Isn’t that the worst punishment of all?

The wise woman from Tekoa offered this perspective:

Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.

What does that say about God’s character?

References: 2 Samuel 14:1-24, 11:2-12:12 (NLT)