Introduction

When King David learned that yet another of his sons had died, even though he had been a rebellious and unloyal one, it broke his heart. He could not be comforted with the thought that he had regained his kingdom. All he could do was to cry in his broken anguish

"O my son Absalom, my Son, my Son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

- 2 Samuel 18:33

These words have echoed down the centuries ever since they were uttered and they are one of the most distressing scenes in all literature. David’s deep anguish arises not only out of the death of his son, but out of his own failure as a father. Many a father in today’s world can identify with this. Successful in our own vocations and work world, we find it more difficult to be a "successful" pare…