Scripture Reading(s)
2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15
11:26 When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him.
11:27 When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD,
12:1 and the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor.
12:2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds;
12:3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him.
12:4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.”
12:5 Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die;
12:6 he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”
12:7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul;
12:8 I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more.
12:9 Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.
12:10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.
12:13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan said to David,”Now the LORD has put away your sin; you shall not die.
12:14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child that is born to you shall die.”
12:15 Then Nathan went to his house. The LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became very ill.
Reflections
David was a complex character in the Bible. He is described as a man after God’s heart, yet he made huge mistakes and committed horrible sins. So was he a man after God’s heart or was he a terrible sinner? Both.
What make’s Davis unique is not that he was a sinner, it’s that he was always quick to repent and he meant it. He did not do anything half way. He sinned and repented and endured the punishment of the Lord yet he still praised God in all situations. In dark days and light days David praised the Lord. He also lead all others to praise the Lord.
Like David we will make blunders. We will commit sins that make us ashamed and will tarnish God’s name. But we must seek forgiveness and get back on our feet and carry on. No sin should keep us from seeking the Lord as long as we are truly repentant. God will ALWAYS forgive us and renew our spirit and heart.
It is amazing how when David is fully confronted with his sin, he has no idea that he is in the wrong and is in need of forgiveness. The story that Nathan tells David is meant to convict him and open up his eyes to the tragic sin he committed. It is heartbreaking to see that upon hearing the story of an injustice act being done, David is not able to make the connection to his own life and instead casts harsh judgement on another.
When one is confronted with their sin, the response should lead to repentance and an admission that we are in need of Gods forgiving Grace. Sin has a tendency to sometimes even convince us that what we did was not that bad and that we can perhaps even get away with it. Up until this point, David had been able to cover up his tracts. He had forgotten about the one who sees and knows all. The Bible speaks clearly on if we do not confess our sins they will be brought to light (Numbers 32:23).
However, despite David’s sin, he did face harsh punishment yet Gods Grace is always stronger and ready to trump any sin that we commit when we choose to repent. Our sin does not define our lives and who we are. This is meant to teach us that God is the one who guides, convicts and offers forgiveness. This punishment that David faced was not done out of malice or hatred from God. It was driven by love and the desire to see David learn to love God over sin. Hebrews 12:6 says “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Like a parent who lovingly disciplines their child to protect them from further harm, so does our Heavenly Father. All that God does is motivated by love. Let us choose God over sin each day, moment by moment.