In the previous blog “David’s Transition from Lust to Murder”, we saw how he got himself into that position in the first place. This post is somewhat of a part II about the issues at hand.
In the first part of 2 Samuel 12, Nathan confronted David about what he had done. Nathan told him a story about a rich and poor man. The rich man had many sheep and cattle and the poor man had one ewe lamb. The rich man was entertaining a traveler and decided to take the poor man’s one ewe lamb instead of one of his own animals. On hearing the story David was angry and said that the rich man should die and pay for the lamb four time over.
Nathan revealed that the story was really about David. David took Uriah’s only wife and had sex with her, and after Uriah was murdered, he took her as one of his wives- having had many wives and concubines prior. Just has David had pronounce judgment on the rich man in the story, he had his own consequences to face for what he had done.
The consequences that David had to face is summarized in verse 10 and 11 of chapter 12: there would be war in his house, calamity was promised from out of his own household and his wives would be taken from him and someone close to him would sleep with them in broad daylight. Another consequence is that the son born to David and Bathsheba would die.
Here listed are some of the things that happened and references to them:
- The first child born to David and Bathsheba died (2 Samuel 12 vs 15-19)
- Amnon (son of David) raped his sister Tamar (Absalom sister) (2 Samuel 13 vs 1-21)
- Absalom (son of David) killed Amnon (2 Samuels 13 vs 22- 39)
- Absalom rebelled against David. He stole the heart of the people and made them favorable towards him and then declared himself king (2 Samuels 15 vs 1-12)
- David had to flee from Jerusalem (the fleeing king) (2 Samuels 15 vs 13)
- Absalom slept with David’s concubine on the palace roof in view of everyone (2 Samuels 16 vs 21- 22)
- Absalom waged war against David and his men (2 Samuels 17 and 18)
During the war, Absalom was killed, and David mourned for him (2 Samuels 18 and 19). David was finally able to come back to Jerusalem and was then restored as king.
In 2 Samuels 12 vs 13 and 14, David acknowledged that he had sinned against the Lord and his sin was taken away from him by the Lord. He was also assured that he would live, despite his initial proclamation that the ‘rich man’ should die.
PERSONAL LESSONS
After Uriah died and David took Bathsheba has his wife, perhaps he thought that the whole matter was all behind him. But David was soon confronted about what had happened. God made it clear to David through the Prophet Nathan that He was aware of what took place, and he was not pleased. Many times, when we engage in certain activity, we may have a false sense of security because men may not have seen, but God sees and knows everything. He is omniscient and omnipresent sees us at our every move. There is absolutely nothing that we can hide from God, he sees and know everything. One way or another things that we have done always come to the surface. Sometimes it may be the Holy Spirit reminding us of what we had done, and it is a call to attention to set our house in order. But if it is that we do not listen to the Holy Spirit it may extend to a public reprimand or exposure.
Our choices/actions have consequences, and this was no different for David. He had a lot to bear, of which is covered extensively from 2 Samuels chapter 12 to 18. The same is true for us today, that whatsoever we do have consequences. They may not be as far reaching as those that David was subjected to, but there are consequences, nonetheless. Many times, it may be a lack of peace of mind. Not being able to go about your days with ease.
If there is anything that I want everyone who reads to take away from this is that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1 vs 9, NIV). When David was confronted about what he had done- he did not make any excuses, but he admitted that he had sinned against God. It is with this admission that the Lord forgave him.
Has humans, many times when we are confronted with our sins, instead of owning up to them, we make excuses or try to rationalize it away. Whatever the issue is we should not be afraid to call them by name before God. And when we have named those issue, we should sincerely ask for forgiveness. If we remain unrepentant, we are in that moment separated from God, not being able to have true fellowship with him.
In conclusion we see that David had indeed done wrong in the sight of God. At the end of it all, he was able to own up to his fault and the Lord forgave him. The punishment that he would have meted out to himself was not what God gave him, instead his life was spared, but he did have some calamities to face.
David was called a man after God’s own heart, not because he was perfect. What is demonstrated in this situation is that he genuinely asked God for forgiveness when confronted instead of trying to deny or make excuses for what he had done.
I encourage you to read over the 2 Samuels 11 and 12 and the same time Psalm 51- which is one of confession and repentance about the whole situation that has been discussed.
Also, please share your thoughts in the comments below I look forward to hearing from you.
Dear Lord,
I thank you for your love and mercy. Lord I recognize that there has been time when I have gone against your will. I pray that in those moments, I will not hide from you, but humbly come before you and confess my sins. I pray that I will not come with a pretentious attitude before you, because you Lord already knows our innermost being. I am grateful Lord that you do not treat us has our sins deserve. Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ who went on the cross and tore the veil that separated us from you. He went on the cross so that we would no longer need the blood of lambs, but his precious blood would be able to cleanse our sin. Thank you once more for your mercy, love, and grace that you continue to bestow upon us daily in Jesus’ name.
AMEN.