Everyone Gets Drug into the Fight

 II Samuel 17:24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead. 27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

"Family Feud" would well describe what was going on in the house of David.  The tribes of Israel were set to follow Absalom, with all sorts of in-laws and out-laws pulled in to fight for each side.  Various clans of surrounding nations were called upon by David to join him to fight to regain the kingdom. People were away from their families and homes trying to get this over with. That's where things lead when we do not work hard to maintain health family communication and forgiveness.  One side might win the "battle", but overall, it will make things weaker and divided. Let's not drag everyone else into the fight.