In 2 Samuel Chapter 19 David weeps for Absalom, despite a great victory in battle, and all the soldiers are ashamed of their win. Joab has to rebuke David to snap his emotions and restore proper leadership. While weeping for your lost ones is noble, David allowed his emotions to overcome his leadership. Christ does weep for his lost ones, but remains fully in control, fully objective.

Christ is endlessly patient but knows when to end his patience. One the way back to Jerusalem, David meets Shimei who is very sorry for treating David shamefully when it looked like he would lose his throne. Shimei is almost certainly not truly repentant. But he recognises that he is at the mercy of David and tries to put things right. He is a picture of the average sinner who comes to Christ.

Most of us are not truly remorseful of our sins, but we do wa ...