John Adams, King David and Fatherhood …

A few thoughts that have been working around in my brain lately …

I recently finished reading “John Adams” by David McCullough. (Review will hopefully follow shortly.) While reading, I received an in depth view of our founding fathers that I never had before. Mainly based on letters written by the people themselves, “John Adams” let me see the personalities, beliefs and characters of several men and woman who were instrumental in forming our country. There are so many lessons that we can learn from the lives of these people that I am amazed!

From the time of his marriage (if not before) Mr. Adams spent much of his time away from home. As a lawyer, he had to “go on the circuit” and consequently spent much of his time in Boston each year while his wife lived in his hometown of Braintree. When trouble broke out with Britain, he was elected as a representative of Massachusetts in Congress. He was one of the most respected members and most persuasive speakers in Congress but as a result, he spent most of the year in Philadelphia, while his wife stayed home with their four young children. When Congress decided to send three ambassadors to France, John Adams was one. Shortly after his return, he was again sent to France and then England. His time spent in Europe covered several years. John Adams was always ready to sacrifice himself for the good of his country. He loved his wife, children and farm dearly, but he often left them in view of the public good. He believed he was doing that which was right. He was a dutiful man and a sincere Christian. But one thing that we can perhaps learn from him is the influence of a father’s presence among his children, particularly his sons.

From the time that his children were very young, Mr. Adams was seldom able to be around. He constantly wrote to his family and especially to his eldest son, John Quincy. Through correspondence, he instructed the lad in much of his learning, telling him what books to study, etc… that would be beneficial to his education. When Mr. Adams took his first trip to France, John Quincy went with him. His daughter and two younger sons Charles and Thomas stayed at home with their mother. Though placed in a boarding school, John Quincy was constantly with his father, taking walks with him and talking to him. Due to the difficulty of correspondence across the ocean, the younger boys rarely even heard from their father. When Mr. Adams returned to America, it had been over a year (perhaps two). After a very short stay, he again left for France, this time taking with him John Quincy and Charles. After a time, Charles was sent home, while John Quincy remained across the ocean and though not always with his father, spending much of his time with him, being taught by him or corresponding with him. When Mrs. Adams finally joined her husband in France, only their daughter Nabby joined her, the two boys remaining in America to prepare for college. By the time Mr. Adams returned to America, his two younger boys were both in college and nearly adults.

In the years that followed, John Quincy proved to be a comfort to his parents and to follow in his father’s morals and footsteps. He was a dutiful, honest, Christian man, always honoring his parents whom he dearly loved.

Charles, ruined his own life, abandoned his wife and two daughters and ended up dying of illness at a young age.

Thomas, did not turn out to much, became the “bully of the family” and took to drinking heavily.

I have also been reading First and Second Samuel. King David was a very righteous man – a man after God’s own heart. While reading, I have been reflecting on the character of David, even more than I have previously. From a very young age, David was much away from home, fighting the Philistines and other enemies of Israel. Even before he killed Goliath, he was King Saul’s armor bearer. After he became King, his time was inevitably spent in passing judgments and he still went out to fight many battles and wars. He had several wives and by these, many children. As a result of David’s constant duties and many children, he most likely had little time to spend with his sons, except for perhaps Solomon, whom he knew was to be the next king.

Amnon, sinned against his sister and was then murdered for it.

Absalom, murdered his brother Amnon, “stole the hearts” of the people of Israel and then tried to steal the kingdom from his father and murder him.

Adonijah tried to steal the kingdom from his brother and was later executed for other crimes.

Solomon became a wise king and ruler, though he later bowed to false gods and tried to murder another man. (Though I believe that he did repent.)

Looking at the lives of these two godly men, whom I admire, I mourn to see the destruction in their sons. In his old age, reflecting upon his children, John Adams wrote: “Children must not be wholly forgotten in the midst of public duties.” There seems to be a pattern … perhaps this is an illustration showing how important it is, for a father to spend time with his sons … I don’t know. I have yet to find the answer but I find it heartbreaking that these godly men, should not have godly sons to follow in their footsteps. I pray that my brother, and one day (LORD willing) my sons will follow in the footsteps of godly fathers and that through them, the light of Christ might be shown to this world and glory be brought to our blessed King!

To the KING be all the glory!