The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 21 August 2025: The Wages Of Sin Is Death
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TOPIC: The Wages Of Sin Is Death
READ: 2 Samuel 13:21-36 (NKJV)
- But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
- And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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?”
- But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
- 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.”
- 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.
- And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left!”
- So the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
- Then Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, “Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
- “Now therefore, let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead.”
- Then Absalom fled. And the young man who was keeping watch lifted his eyes and looked, and there, many people were coming from the road on the hillside behind him.
- And Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is.”
- So it was, as soon as he had finished speaking, that the king’s sons indeed came, and they lifted up their voice and wept. Also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly.
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s text, we observe the consequences of Amnon’s deliberate wickedness against his own blood sister, Tamar. When Amnon enticed Tamar, she didn’t consent. She said, “No, my brother, do not force me; for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this wanton folly” (2 Samuel 13:12). This is a big lesson for our young girls today. After Amnon defiled her, Absalom determined from that day to revenge and destroy Amnon. His opportunity came on the day Absalom had sheepshearers and his brothers were invited. By Absalom’s command, when Amnon’s heart was merry with wine, Absalom’s servants killed him. King David’s sons fled and when the bad news reached David, there was bitter weeping.
All sins are very deadly: Sin is a disgrace – the soul that sins must die unless the sinner repents. This sin cost Amnon his life! It is only righteousness that exalts a person; upon righteousness a person is established. Beloved, flee from adultery, idolatry, fornication, covetousness, lies, unforgiveness, malice, hatred, enmity, and lust. Jesus is the only way out from sins. He is still the last sacrifice for sins. As we call upon the name of God, let us depart from iniquity, for the wages of sins remain death (Revelation 21:8).
PRAYER: Lord, in Your mercy, help me to depart from sin, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
