We find mention of two brothers within the story of David, both sons of David’s older brother Shimea.

The first, Jonathan, served in the army and like his uncle before him, fought face to face with a giant. There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down. 

The other brother, Jonadab, worked as as advisor to the king’s court. David’s son Amnon sought Jonadab’s advice for a burning issue. Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimea, David’s brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. Shockingly, the conniving cousin urged Amnon to commit incest with his sister Tamar, setting off years of pain and recriminations.

Two brothers, one a fighter and the other a schemer. The first chose a route of service and sacrifice. The other an avenue of comfort and intrigue. When did their paths diverge?

We don’t know the details. But I have a sense that each made a series of small decisions throughout their young lives that led to vastly different outcomes. We see this story played out again and again.

Pay attention to choices. Seemingly innocuous decisions lead to results beyond our imagination. Also, don’t be reticent to speak into the lives of those in your orbit who seem to be aiming at the wrong target. A well-spoken word often turns a young person from getting to giving, and in so doing changes the trajectory of their life.

2 Samuel 13:3 & 1 Chronicles 20:7

Photo by Annie Spratt