Each occasion of shearing in Scripture is connected with something bad that God used to bring about His purpose and secure His pleasure. Here is a tragic one we usually avoid telling children in Sunday School.

For Absalom, it is party time—the time for shearing his sheep. He uses the occasion to take revenge on his step-brother Amnon. Amnon had transgressed in the matter of Absalom’s sister and King David had taken no action against him. Absalom kills Amnon, flees into exile, is restored to Jerusalem, and embarks on a scheme to overthrow David’s kingdom. This is a story where you can hardly find a single good thing. But God uses the entire episode for blessing. He uses it to deal with wicked Amnon. He uses it to deal with wicked Absalom. He uses it to deal with His beloved but flawed servant David.

The first two—Amnon and Absalom—are dealt with judicially. David is dealt with governmentally—God rules over his life. David reaps what he had sown; nevertheless, there is blessing in the end.

God’s purpose regarding David and his seed cannot fail. His pleasure in David, despite every temptation of Satan to which he succumbed, despite every personal lapse into sin, cannot be lost. It is the same for us as believers. Although we reap the things we have sown, although our Father chastens us, although at the time it seems to be a matter of grief, it is so that we may be partakers of His holiness and may receive the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:10–11).