JOY "Absalom's Rebellion" April 17, 2013

4-17-2013

Absalom’s Rebellion

2^nd Samuel 15:1-17:29

I          Absalom Sets the Stage   15:1-12

II        David Flees Jerusalem    15:13 – 16-14

III       Absalom is Duped            16: 15- 17:29

The Portia spider is a master predator whose chief weapon is deception. To begin with---its appearance is deceptive----it looks like a piece of dried leaf or foliage that has just happened to blow into a web. It doesn’t have its own web---it uses the webs of other spiders to lure them to their deaths. 

And it’s method of attacking other species of spiders, is to use a variety of methods, to lure the host spider, back into it’s own web, where the Portia spider is patiently waiting, looking like a piece of debris. 

And the amazing thing is----- that the Portia spider can actually tailor its deception to entice specific prey. 

For instance----with one type of spider, that maintains its home inside a rolled-up leaf, the Portia spider dances on the outside of the leaf, imitating that spider’s mating ritual.

And for another one, it crawls onto the web and taps the silken threads in a manner that mimics the vibrations of a mosquito caught in the web. The host spider, then marches itself up, thinking dinner is served, and winds up becoming the dinner. 

Robert Jackson, an expert in the study of spiders says that, “A Portia can find a signal for just about any spider by trial and error. It makes different signals until the victim spider finally responds appropriately----then it keeps making the signal that works, until it accomplishes its goal.” 

And just like the Portia spider, Absalom’s weapon of choice was also deception…

I        Absalom Sets the Stage    15:1-12

From David’s perspective, the kiss he gave to Absalom, was a sign of complete reconciliation, and complete restoration, of Absalom’s position, as the king’s son-------but the fact that David, his own father, had waited 2 full years, after bringing him back to Jerusalem before he even spoke to him, much less forgave him, must have rankled in Absalom’s soul, and must have allowed bitterness to grow in his heart. And that bitter resentment, is what prompted Absalom to rebel against his father. 

And,on the surface, even though it looked like father and son were in one accord----Absalom was secretly plotting to take over the throne, even if that meant taking David’s life, in the process. Absalom spent 4 years, quietly and deceitfully, setting the stage, and laying the plans for his rebellion. 

His strategy included… 1. Drawing attention to himself with pomp and ceremony---even if it was the exact opposite of what God had told the Israelites to do, it made for a good show---he rode around in a 

Horsse- drawn chariot, with 50 people running ahead of him, as his protectors. 2. Criticism, of his father’s system and administration of justice. 3. Making it seem like he could and would do, a much better job with his, pie-in-the-sky, boastful, campaign promises. And… 4. Personal charm and flattery-----he wouldn’t let people bow down to him as was the customary protocol, from the people to their prince---he kissed them like they were best friends… and won them over with his easy and empty mannerisms.

Deceitfully, Absalom sought and received permission from David to go to Hebron, which was the heart of David’s dynasty-----it’s where David was declared the king and it is also where Absalom was born-----so that he could make a sacrifice and pay back a vow, that he had made to the Lord-----which he certainly did, although it wasn’t a godly one, like he led David to believe----it was to announce his intentions to seize the reigns of power from David, and to set himself up as the next king, and Hebron was the city he had chosen, as his base of operations. 

Ahithophel, Bathsheba’s grandfather and one of David’s most trusted advisors, went with Absalom, along with 200 other people, who had no idea what Absalom was planning. 

He deceived them too, he was clever------he had led them into an impossible situation-----if they tried to go back to Jerusalem, Absalom would have killed them-----and if they stayed, David would have seen them as traitors-----so they thought that they had no choice but to stay and serve Absalom…. As the plans for the coup were finalized in Hebron, more and more people jumped on the bandwagon.

And when they got to Hebron, Absalom’s plan looked like it was going to be successful----- the conspiracy might have increased in strength there, because Absalom may have found supporters who were mad at David, for having moved the capitol city from there, to Jerusalem, in the first place------ and another reason why, might have been because David had instituted a centralized form of government, which some of the tribes may have resented, because it took away their freedom to govern themselves ------and it forced them to have pay taxes, so that the government could function properly----- it looked like Absalom knew all about the discontent-----and that the country was ripe for rebellion---- and he did everything he could to stir the pot, by sending out messengers all over Israel to rise up and take back what they wanted-----and it doesn’t look like David suspected a thing…

Absalom’s political strategy was to steal the hearts of the people with his good looks and his grand entrances, and his apparent concern for the people and their interests, and with friendly embraces----and there were many people who were fooled and they switched their allegiance------but it was all a lie---Absalom was looking out for himself and he didn’t care who he used in the process-----we have to be careful who we give our allegiance to---we need to evaluate our leaders, to make sure that their charisma isn’t a mask ,that is covering up arrogance and pride and greed and deception and a hunger for power, at all costs-----we need to make sure that under a leader’s style and charm-----they are faithful to the Lord, and that they can handle people wisely and they can make good decisions and they can admit their mistakes and will seek forgiveness, repentance and reconciliation, with the Lord and with each other.

II       David Flees Jerusalem      15:13-16-14

When David learned about Absalom’s revolt he fled from Jerusalem. At first glance, it makes us wonder why David, the mighty warrior, didn’t just crush the rebellion----but I think Absalom, had set the stage too well, and too far, and the people’s unrest, was was already, too widespread, so that it wouldn’t have been suppressed very easily. 

And I think that David, who, we know, was close to the Lord, discerned correctly, that the rebellion was also a part of the consequences, that he had to deal with, from the fallout, from his sins, involving Bathsheba and Uriah. 

And he didn’t want any of his people to suffer, because of his sin, and he didn’t want to see Jerusalem damaged or destroyed as a result of it either. 

Maybe he was seeking to avert civil war, and unnecessary bloodshed, by stepping aside. I think he believed that if God wanted to restore him, He would, in His time and if He didn’t, then David was willing to go, in any way that God saw fit.  (Some of the Psalms that David wrote during this time are believed to be 39, 41, 56, 61 and 63, and you can clearly see his heart in them.) 

I also think that David loved his son, and he wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, that things could still be worked out between them------and also, if God had chosen Absalom, then David wasn’t going to stand in the way---he remembered that God had chosen him to replace Saul when the time was right, too…  

But, there does seem to be an element of hope, in David’s behavior, that he would come back, because he left 10 of his concubines there, to take care of the palace for him. Had David not escaped from Jerusalem, the ensuing fight, might have killed him, as well as many of the inhabitants of the city. Some fights that we think are necessary can be costly and destructive, unnecessarily, to others around us. We need to pick our battles---sometimes we may have to back down or away and save the fight for another day----even if doing it, hurts our pride or disappoints us or presents our intentions in a cowardly light or makes our motivation seem suspect. It takes courage to stand and fight, but it takes just as much courage, to back down for the sake of someone else. 

David’s servants and his royal guard demonstrated their loyalty by following him into exile---and included in that contingent of followers, were 600 soldiers from the Philistine territory, of Gath, who evidently were loyal, mercenary soldiers, who were willing to fight alongside David. Although Israel was supposed to destroy their wicked enemies, they were supposed to welcome foreigners, who came on friendly terms, so that they could be introduced to the Israelite God and show them the importance of obeying Him----- so it wasn’t strange for David to have foreign followers.  

Ittai, the Gittite was especially noted for his loyalty in this passage of scripture----David told him to stay in Jerusalem, not because he was encouraging him to serve Absalom, as king, but because he was encouraging him, to serve whomever, God appointed, as the ruler over Israel-----Ittai, must have loved the Lord God, with a rare love, for David to trust him like that. Later on David appointed him, to a commander position, as a reward, for his loyalty to him.

After they crossed over the brook of Kidron, east of Jerusalem, David noticed that the priests, Abiathar and Zadok were bringing the Ark out of the city, with them-----and He knew that that was the wrong thing, so he commanded for them to take it back----- which signified 3 things-----1. He refused to see the Ark as a good-luck charm, 2. He was resolved to keep the center of worship in the nation’s capitol, where it belonged----whether or not, God intended, for him, to remain, as Israel’s king,  and 3. David trusted that God was in control of the whole situation. This a beautiful testimony, to me, of David’s belief in God’s sovereignty, regardless of the situation or the circumstances.  (Its amazing what we can do, when we take our focus off of our circumstances and put them on the Lord, and trust His hand, to work everything out.)

David instructed Abiathar and Zadok, to stay in Jerusalem, and to act as spies for him, so that he could know what was going on in the capitol, during Absalom’s revolt----he was still the king, until God said he wasn’t. The priest’s sons, were the conduits, that information flowed through, to David, about what was happening in Jerusalem. And David appointed his faithful servant, and friend, Hushai to obtain that information for him, and to pass it on to the priests, as best he could----- and he also charged Hushai, with doing, anything he could, to thwart the advice and counsel that Absalom was given, by Ahithophel. 

Hushai didn’t lie about his involvement----he just let Absalom and Ahithophel make their own conjectures and come to their own conclusions.  

Spying is a form of deceit, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and in that time of war, David needed to be clever and cunning, and to walk softly, keeping his eyes and his ears open-----waiting and listening, to see what the Lord would have him do. I can’t see that David stepped out of line, anywhere, in this passage. 

By continuing to move forward and by continuing to rule from afar, and by knowing what was happening, because of placing people, in key places, David was putting feet to his faith. David is clearly submissive to God’s leadership---- but---- he still does all that’s within his power, to act prudently. This is the way our faith is supposed to be ----we are supposed to be actively submissive…

David’s meekness and his submission to the Lord, was apparent, as he fled from Absalom’s betrayal----but he wasn’t vengeful or retaliatory----he trusted his fate was in God hands------he went forward, in humility, weeping for everybody involved. (I’m reminded of “blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” that Jesus taught in Matt. 5:4.)

David had practically turned cartwheels, in worship, as he had accompanied the Ark into Jerusalem, for the first time---and even though his body language was very different, as he trudged away from Jerusalem-----he was just as driven to worship the Lord and to honor Him for His faithfulness.  He took the time to stop, on the Mount of Olives, on his way out of town, to worship and pray.

Then, continuing on his way, after worship----David met Ziba, crippled Mephibosheth’s, servant, bringing him a large store of supplies------but while the provisions were a wonderful blessing, Ziba lied to David about Mephibosheth’s  loyalty----making David believe that Mephibosheth had crossed over to Absalom’s camp---- It elevated Ziba in David’s eyes and earned him more property and posessions, which was probably Ziba’s intent-------but it would have hurt David, that Jonathan’s son had betrayed him, in a time, when his emotions, were already at such a low ebb. 

David shouldn’t have trusted what Ziba told him, without checking into it, or without being skeptical and asking more probing questions that would have uncovered the lie-----we should be careful not to accept someone’s condemnation of another person, especially when the accuser might profit from the downfall of the other person. We should never just take a person’s word for it, when it involves someone’s reputation. 

When David came to Bahurim, near the edge of the wilderness of Judah, he was met by a man named Shimei, who was a distant relative of Saul’s.  Shimei kept up a steady tirade, against David, for his past sins----especially what the man perceived to be the ones against Saul. 

Although his curses were unjustified, because David had had no part in Saul’s death, David made his followers quietly tolerate the abuse, and he wouldn’t let his nephew Abishai harm Shimei-----David tolerated the tirade, because he thought it still might be part of God’s judgment against him for his sins, and he didn’t want to interfere with God’s work. (Maintaining our composure in the face of unjustified criticism can be a very trying and very demoralizing experience and an emotional drain----but we can’t control what people say, and we can’t control someone else’s behavior------we can only control our own-----so if we can’t stop criticism, we just need to ignore it, and remember that God knows what we’re enduring and He will vindicate us, if we are in the right and He will pull us up short so that we can repent, if we’re in the wrong-----and He will give us the strength and the desire, to pray for that person)

After the encounter with Shimei, David continued to move eastward toward Manahaim and Absalom went back to Jerusalem. Hushai ingratiated himself to Absalom, with a carefully worded speech---- and Ahithophel advised Absalom to sleep with David’s concubines, which was the custom, of a conquering king, in order to make a clear statement, that he was assuming power. It was the greatest possible  insult, that he could fling at David. 

They set up a tent on the roof and Absalom took care of business, which fulfilled Nathan’s prediction, that because of David’s sins, someone close to him, would lie with David’s wives, in broad daylight, in view of all Israel. 

God’s word is true----when he promises something, whether its judgment or blessing, it will come to pass.

III       Absalom is Duped    16:15-17-29

Ahithophel counseled Absalom that he should pursue and kill David and his followers, as soon as possible----to remove any possibility of their  reclaiming the throne. He suggested that David’s death, would probably insure, that David’s followers would be willing to align themselves with Absalom. David’s prayer was answered, when Absalom, took (loyal-to-David, Hushai’s, advice) over Ahithophel’s… Hushai first criticized the advice that Ahithophel had given, and then, with eloquence and flattery, he warned Absalom, against attacking David, right away, since he was such a mighty warrior and such an expert at warfare. He advised Absalom,  to wait, and to take the time to organize the army, by gathering the troops, from all over Israel, first, and then, to lead them into battle, personally, himself. 

David was quickly informed of what was going to happen, by the priest’s sons, who narrowly escaped being apprehended by Absalom’s servants. 

But when Ahithophel saw that his counsel to Absalom, hadn’t been followed, and had even been subtly ridiculed, he took his own life----two factors probably contributed to his suicide----1.) he was humiliated by the rejection of his advice, and 2. He could probably foresee Absalom’s defeat, and he knew, that he would be accountable to David ,for his disloyalty, when David resumed the throne. 

The delay that Hushai recommended, gave David and his men the chance to make to prepare themselves for battle. When they got the word about Absalom’s plans, they crossed over the Jordan River, to Mahanaim, which was already well-fortified, since it had served as Ish-bosheth’s former capitol. David found refuge and support there, from some wealthy sympathizers in the region, which left him and his followers, well-fed and well rested--------and he was able to gather provisions and reorganize his forces, and he waited for Absalom and his army to show up, so that he could see what God intended to happen. 

God met the needs of David and his followers in unexpected ways and He will meet ours that way, too. We are promised in Philipians 4:19, that He will----because it says, “and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” 

We just have to trust Him, not the circumstances…

There was once a young man, who with his dad, farmed a little piece of land. Several times a year, they would load up an old ox-drawn cart with vegetables and go into the nearest city to sell their produce. Except for their name and the patch of ground, they farmed, the old man and his son, had little in common. The old man believed in taking it easy. The boy was usually in a hurry. One morning, bright and early, they hitched up the ox to the loaded cart and started on the long journey. The son figure that if they walked faster, kept going all day and night, they’d make the market by early the next morning. So he kept prodding the ox with a stick, urging the beast to move along.

“Take it easy son, said the father, “and you’ll last longer.”

“But if we get to market before the others, we’ll have a better chance of getting good prices,” argued the son.

No reply, the dad just pulled his hat down over his eyes and fell asleep on the seat.  Itchy and irritated, the young man kept goading the ox to walk faster. His stubborn pace refused to change. 

Four hours and four miles later down the road, they came to a little house. The father woke up and said, “Here’s your uncle’s place. Let’s stop in and say hello. But we’ve lost an hour already”, complained the son. “Then a few more minutes won’t matter. My brother and I live so close, yet we see each other seldom.” the father answered slowly. 

The boy fidgeted and fumed while the two old men laughed and talked away for almost an hour. When they got out on the road again, the man took his turn leading the ox. As they approached a fork in the road, the father led the ox to the right. The left is the shorter way, “said the son. “I know it”, said the father, “but this way is much prettier.” Have you no respect for time?” the young man asked impatiently. “Oh, I respect it very much! That’s why I like to use it to look at beauty and enjoy each moment to the fullest.”

The winding path led through graceful meadows, wildflowers and along a rippling stream----all of which the young man missed as he churned within, preoccupied and boiling with anxiety. He didn’t even notice how lovely the sunset was that day.

Twilight found them in what looked like a huge, colorful garden. The old man breathed in the aroma, listening to the bubbling brook, and pulled the ox to a halt,  “let’s sleep here,” he sighed. 

“This is the last trip I’m taking with you,” snapped the son. “you’re more interested in watching sunsets and smelling flowers than you are in making money.”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me in a long time”, smiled the old man. A couple of minutes later, he was snoring.  The boy glanced back at the stars, but he was restless and the night dragged slowly.  

Before sunrise the young man hurriedly shook his father awake. They hitched up and went on. About a mile down the road, they happened on another farmer---a total stranger----trying to pull his cart out of a ditch.

“Let’s give him a hand”, whispered the old man.  “And lose more time,” exploded the son. 

“Relax son, you might be in a ditch yourself, someday.” We need to help others in need, don’t forget that.” The boy looked away in anger. 

It was almost 8:00 that morning by the time the other cart was back on the road. Suddenly, a great flash of light lit the sky. What sounded like thunder, followed and beyond the hills, the sky grew dark.  “Looks like a big rain in the city,” said the father. “If we had hurried, we’d almost be sold out by now,” grumbled the boy. “Take it easy and you’ll last longer. And you’ll enjoy life so much more,” counseled the kind old gentleman. 

It was late afternoon by the time they got to the hill overlooking the city. They stopped and stared down at it for a long, long time. Neither of them said a word.  Finally, the young man put his hand on his father’s shoulder, and said, “I see what you mean, Dad.” 

They turned their cart around and began to roll slowly away from what had once been the city of Hiroshima…

God will show up and He will meet our needs in unexpected ways, in unexpected places-----we just have to learn to trust Him...

JOY "Troubles in David's House" April 10, 2013

2013-4-10

Troubles in David’s House

2^nd Samuel 13:1-14:33

I      Like Father, Like Son   13:1-39

II     Absalom, Absalom    14: 1-33

Carmine “The Snake” Persico, was born in 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a soldier, in the Genovese crime family, a notorious mafia gang. When he was still, just a boy, Carmine’s father encouraged him to become involved in a life of crime, by helping him to lead a group of thugs, who were committed to terrorizing their neighborhood ----By the time Carmine was 17, he was put on trial for murder, but his brother confessed that he was the actual murderer, before Carmine could be convicted. 

In his early 20’s, he had earned his way into the position of, “divisional leader”, in the Colombo crime family. His responsibilities, were exactly, what we think mafia- hit-men’s responsibilities, are---murder, extortion and fear. 

Carmine’s nickname was “Immortal” because, throughout his whole career, he survived 20 gunshot wounds, from the hands of rivals, in his own family, and in the other crime families. His face even bore a distinctive scar as the result of one of those wounds. Over time and through a series of gangland murders, Carmine eventually became the godfather of the Colombo family. 

In 1986, he was finally convicted of murder and racketeering, and was sentenced to 139 years in prison.

What makes this story, like the one in 2^nd Samuel, is the fact, that when Carmine was 21, he fathered a son, named Alphonse, who was nicknamed “Little Allie Boy “ and who, with Carmine encouraging him, to follow in his footsteps, was raised in the very center of the blood-drenched, mafia life-style. 

Alphonse became deeply involved in the Colombo family’s underworld  activities, and as a result, he went to trial with Carmine, in 1986, and was convicted of racketeering. 

But, while Carmine continued to serve out his sentence, in prison, Alphonse was released in 1993 and after only 6 years, became the acting head of the family. 

In 1999, though, he was convicted of illegal gun possession, loan sharking and money laundering. 

And in 2004, the federal prosecutors were able to make an old murder charge stick-----and his sentence was changed, to life in prison------

so, currently, both father and son, are living out their lives, in federal penitentiaries. Carmine is 79 and Alphonse is 58-----

The lives of the Persisco men, serve as a perfect testimony, to the power of a father to be able to influence his son, for good or bad. Following his own father’s example, Carmine not only became involved in a life of crime, but he exceeded his father’s involvement-----and then Carmine set the example and encouraged Alphonse to get as deep into the mob’s world as he was, and Alphonse, in turn, went on to exceed even Carmine’s involvement.  The influence of each father led to his own son’s eventual downfall. 

It’s hard for us to look at David and his sons and compare their likenesses to the Persico family---but the truth is, there is very little difference. David was a great military leader and an excellent politician and a charismatic king and a deeply spiritual man, who loved God, above all else, but he was a lousy father. He was permissive and dismissive and only, peripherially involved, in his children’s lives-----

and his sexual misbehavior, provided a pattern, that was imitated by Amnon, that stated the beginning of the end, of David’s kingdom, which fulfilled Nathan’s prophecy, as God’s judgment against David’s sin.

I   Like Father Like Son    13:1-38

These passages of scripture can be difficult to digest-----if this were a movie, it would definitely be rated “R” and I probably wouldn’t want to see it! This isn’t a “happily–ever-after” story, with a fairy-tale ending-----it’s a story, about what happens in real life, to real people, when God is not at the center of their existence and His laws are not obeyed. 

The events that happened in this murky segment of David’s life, in many ways, raise more questions than they do answers-----3 specific questions, jump out, right away-----1. How did all the conflict go on under David’s nose, without him knowing and doing something about it? 2. How could David, have been such a man after God’s own heart, and been such a negligent father? 3.Why did God, who had made it clear that David held a special place in His heart, allow such devastating consequences, to rock the lives of both the guilty parties----and the innocent ones?

We can speculate, and discuss, the answers to these questions, all day long----- but the truth is, only God really knows the answers, and only God knows the end results, that He wants to accomplish, and only God knows, how everything, that happens, will all fit into His plan. 

But, it’s reassuring to know, that God does allow, a little bit of His light, to penetrate the darkness, in this passage-----His light comes in the form of very practical lessons that He wants us to learn and to teach our children and grandchildren about lust and love and family relationships and parenting; and about God’s character and His justice and His discipline and His sovereignty…. And while I’m sure, that if David could have controlled it, he would have wanted to shove the whole episode, deep into the back of a closet, never to be exposed------ but for our sakes and for David’s, God didn’t edit it out----He has it written into the Bible, very purposely, to show us, just how much we need a Savior….

That’s what makes the Bible so special, aside from being the written, true, word, of the Living God----it gives real people, with real flaws and real failures, a realistic look, at how God works, in the lives of other real people with real flaws and real failures… (Larry Richards says that, “that the annals of other ancient rulers glorify the their victories and ignore their defeats or personal flaws, but the Bible graphically describes David’s sins and weaknesses. David is no mythical hero; he is a flesh and blood human being, who’s great strengths, are matched by great weaknesses.”) We have to remember that in God’s eyes-----sin is sin is sin-----and even though we think, that what David and Amnon and Absolom did, is heinous------to God ----the selfishness and the fear and the gossip and the disregard of His desires, that are sins in our lives, are just as heinous! 

As we study about the tough realities, that David’s family dealt with, it’s a reminder to us that no one is worthy of eternal life----except Jesus---if it weren’t for God’s grace----we could all be in the same exact shape as David’s family. Every single person is born in sin and fails to live up to God’s standard of righteousness. We all deserve the penalty of death. But our good God, in his mercy, provided the only solution, when He sent Jesus to die in my place, and in David’s and in yours….

David’s firstborn son, Amnon, fell madly in, what he thought, was love, but turned out to be, nothing but lust, with his beautiful half sister, Tamar. (Lust and love can be easily confused. Lust differs from love in that it is selfish and insensitive to the other person, whereas love only wants what is best, for the other person, and builds them up and encourages them.) 

Amnon was consumed with desire for Tamar, to the point, that it made him physically sick----When his friend and cousin, a devious man named Jonadab, discovered why Amnon was so distraught, he cooked up a way, for Amnon to lure Tamar into bedroom, so that he could be alone with her. Amnon even used his sickness, to convince David, to allow Tamar, to come and cook him a meal, to aid in his recovery.  After she had prepared the meal, he sent all the servants out of the room, because he didn’t want any witnesses. 

So they were left alone, despite Tamar’s protests and her desperate appeal to Amnon’s sense of reason---and her willingness to marry him, if he would get her father’s permission.  

But he was so blind with lust that he couldn’t hear or see anything but that, and he raped her.  

Then, when it was all over, instead of doing the right thing, and marrying her to protect her reputation and to provide for her and protect her----he despised her and he sent her away to fend for herself, and to bear her disgrace alone.  Instead of taking responsibility for his actions, like David had with Bathsheba, Amnon acted like Tamar had brought it all on herself and had just gotten what she deserved----and he transferred any guilt, that he felt, into hatred for her. She cried bitterly as she tore the sleeves of her robe, which signified that she wasn’t a virgin anymore.

(Women, who lived in in 10 century BC, Israel, were practically powerless in society. They had no significant place in the social, religious or economic arenas of their world. They completely depended on the men in their families to provide them with food, shelter and protection. Even though Tamar was a princess, whose powerful father and many brothers, might have insulated her, against any danger from outside sources---- what Amnon did to her, stripped her, of all honor and hope, and injured her with the triple tragedy of, 1---losing her virginity, outside of marriage. 2. Making her a victim of incest---and 3. Making her lose all hope of ever marrying, since Amnon refused to comply, with God’s law, which clearly stated, that the rapist of a virgin, should marry his victim, or otherwise condemn her, to a life of being an unmarriageable outcast.) 

Tamar ran to her brother, Absolom, and when he saw her, he correctly guessed what had happened to her. He instructed her to keep quiet for a while, so that he could deal with it, and then, he sent her, to hide out, at his house. He wanted to comfort her but he didn’t want her to turn a family matter, into a public scandal. (But God’s standard, for moral conduct, is not suspended, just because something might be a family matter------His  standard of conduct, applies to all human behavior. What happened between Tamar and Amnon, should have been dealt with, in the proper way----Amnon should have been held accountable for his actions---David should have instructed him to repent and to seek out God’s forgiveness, and Tamar’s;----- and----- he and Absolom had every right and should have, forced Amnon to marry Tamar. ) 

Instead, when David heard about what had happened, scripture says that he was very angry, but that he didn’t take any action, to defend or console Tamar (that we know about) nor did he discipline Amnon in any way. And Absolom didn’t do anything about the crime, right away either----scripture says that he hated what Amnon had done to Tamar, but that he waited 2 years, and let his hatred and bitterness smolder into a towering rage, before he did anything about it, and when he finally did,----- killing his own brother, was every bit as bad as what Amnon had done to Tamar. 

It’s interesting that David had secured the kingdom so well, that the thousands and thousands of people in Israel, were enjoying peace and safety and protection, like they never had before, but he couldn’t manage to keep his own daughter safe, within the walls of their home, nor instill the desire to obey God, in his son’s hearts. 

Knowing David’s character, though, it is highly unlikely, that he would have deliberately mistreated or abused his children, but, by being an absentee parent,that is exactly what he did----

1. David set a bad example for his sons to follow, when he began accumulating more than one wife, even before he became king. Growing up with a dad, who indulged his romantic passions, must have made it easier for Amnon, to indulge his lust, in violating his sister. We have to be so careful with our behavior, because  a parent or a grandparent’s sinful ways, may establish patterns for sinful behavior, in the lives of their children.
2. David failed to watch over his children:  Providing safety for our children, is a fundamental duty of any parent. But the sheer size of David’s family; would have made it a full time job for him. He had 8 wives who are named in the Bible----and numerous, unnamed ones, along with multiple concubines. He had 20 sons and a number of daughters. The number of children would compel an attentive father to keep a close eye on them----but it seems like David suffered, from what a lot of successful, high-achieving dads, in our society do----he was too passive and it led to negligent mistakes----which are often the result of laziness or oversight or inconsistency or just plain lack of discipline------David was like many dads----and moms too----he was too busy and too preoccupied, so that he missed what was really going on with his children.  David was preoccupied with government, wives and concubines, so he didn’t act decisively to correct the evil in his family----I think maybe, that he let the guilt for his own behavior with Bathsheba, keep him from disciplining his son when he was caught in a similar situation---- We can’t let our past behavior compromise the truth, that we know that God wants us to teach our children----just because we behaved in certain ways or made certain mistakes, doesn’t excuse us, from teaching our children and grandchildren, what God’s truth really is, and what His word really says. The Lord’s forgiveness gives us the authority, to teach them the truth, in spite of anything we’ve done in our past.
3. David failed to instill God’s values in his sons: He failed to teach his children and to train them in God’s ways----

Even if he had gotten Nathan to teach them the do’s and don’ts of godly behavior, David seems to have failed to nurture a relationship with them, that would have helped them, understand why, following God’s rules are so important, which David, himself, certainly knew. 

Plus, he hadn’t developed the trust and accountability with them, that he could have used, to nudge Amnon toward, acting with honor and integrity. Even if our children or grandchildren are raised in church, we have to teach them about obedience to God, and about having right character, and we have to live out, godly examples of it, in front of them. And, we have to tell them over and over again------

I love what it says in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about then when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” 

David would have known this passage in Deuteronomy, but he failed to obey it and it was the undoing of his family.

Absolom waited, and chose to get his men, to kill his brother, in a very public place. It was during a sheep-shearing celebration, at Baal-Hazor, which was attended by all of David’s sons. In the confusion, of the moment, all the other sons fled, in an all-out panic, to get back to Jerusalem. Word reached David and his servants that all the sons had ben killed -----and David was devastated! He tore his clothes and started grieving and lamenting------ the conniving Jonadab, who seemed to be in the right place, for all the wrong reasons, all the time----set the record straight----and laid the blame for Amnon’s death, at Absolom’s door--- 

We know that Absolom, was avenging Tamar by killing Amnon, but there might have also been an element of self-service for Absolom---If Amnon was taken out of the picture then Absolom would have been the next in line to the throne-----Absolom, clearly didn’t understand that only God would determine who the next king, after David, was going to be.

Meanwhile,  Absolom chose to flee to Geshur to stay with his maternal grandfather, and was was in exile there for 3 years, until David admitted that he missed him, and had Joab bring him back to Jerusalem. Little did he know that their half-hearted reconciliation would end in even greater disaster.

II       Absolom, Absolom  14;1-33

Billy was the younger of two sons in a middle class American family in the 1960s. Billy loved his father, but it seemed like his father loved his older brother a lot more than he loved him. His older brother was a great athlete who excelled in both baseball and football. The father gave lots of time and attention to helping the older brother develop his athletic skills, but he didn’t seem to spend much time with Billy.  

Billy wasn’t good at any sport and he wasn’t a great student, either. However, he did seem to have some musical talent, and he began playing a musical instrument. 

Beatings and verbal abuse were a common experience for Billy. As he tells it, it felt at times like his middle name was “stupid.”

When Billy was 15, his parents divorced. He chose to live with his mother. Throughout his high school years, he played in the high school band and became first chair trumpet and an instrumental soloist. But he never saw his father at a single concert and never received a fatherly compliment for his achievements, from his dad. That made him feel even more unloved, and he had no real contact with his father during those years. 

Billy was in his twenties and married when he tried to reconnect with his father. By that time, the father had remarried, and lived 60 miles away. For 5 years Billy worked at trying to establish a good relationship with him, but each visit resulted in only more verbal abuse and criticism. After one particularly insulting outburst from his, then alcoholic father, the relationship abruptly ended.

Fifteen years passed before Billy saw his father again. He learned from his brother that his father was dying. His brother also told him that his father wanted to talk with him before he died. Billy made the long journey to the hospital. He hardly recognized his dad. Waking him gently, he asked did his father know him. “You’re my second son,’ he replied. “Do you know my name?” “Billy”, he said, and began to cry. Then, he told his son that he was sorry for all the things he had done to him. For the next few minutes, both men hugged and cried. 

After a little while, they began to talk to each other. Billy’s father told him that he had attended many of Billy’s band performances, but felt ashamed to tell him, because he had heard that Billy’s stepfather was a better father than he was. Then for the first time in Billy’s life, his father said the words that Billy had always wanted to hear, “I was proud of you, son.”

“I’ve been looking for your approval all my life, Dad.” “You have it, son.”

Before the day ended, Billy’s father was also reconciled to his heavenly father, as he prayed with Billy, for his sins to be forgiven, and accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior. A week later, Billy’s father died.

This painful story, which ended in reunion, reminds us of the story of Absolom and David. The same desire that motivated Billy to see his father again, is what drove Absolom to want to see David again. And, the desire that Billy’s father had, to see him again, was the same desire that  David had, to see Absolom…

The phrase, “the king’s heart longed for Absolom” means that David’s grief over Amnon had abated to the point where revenge against Absolom didn’t haunt David’s thoughts any more. David wasn’t wrong to be angry, but he shouldn’t have let it go on so long----he should have long since gone to Geshur and confronted Absolom with his crime, and then held him accountable for it, by punishing him and then forgiving and restoring him-----But he didn’t-----unfortunately, David had forgotten how God had held him accountable, while at the same time forgiving and restoring him to Himself and to the joy of His salvation. When God forgives, He forgives completely----no strings attached and restores us immediately to Himself----David should have done the same thing….

Joab, David’s nephew and chief commander of his troops, used a subtle means to bring Absolom back from exile. 3 factors probably contributed to Joab’s desire to see David and Absolom reconciled: 1. He may have been concerned about helping David fulfill the desire of his heart. 2. He may have thought, that Absolom had the best chance of succeeding David to the throne. 3.He may have been concerned about what the friction between David and Absolom was doing to the morale and unity of the army.

Joab used the same technique that Nathan had used to get David’s attention---he used a back-door approach to show David the error of his ways and to encourage him to call Absolom home. He sent for a woman from Tekoa, a town about 10 miles south of Jerusalem, who was known for her wisdom. Joab instructed her to pretend like she was in mourning. He had her fabricate a story about her two sons---one killed the other one, and the family members were demanding the death penalty, for the remaining son---her concern was, that if she lost both boys, she would be left with no living heir, and her family line would become extinct. She pleaded with David for special intercession----and he granted her petition.

Then, the woman requested an additional word with David, and she disclosed what was really on her mind---and, I think, probably, Joab’s too-----

Which was------with Absolom in exile there was no clear successor to the throne and if David were to die, there would be no clear leader, and the woman represented the people of Israel who were afraid, that their enemies would be looking for any show of weakness, as an opportunity to attack them. David saw through her ruse, recognized that Joab was behind it, and gave in, and sent for Absolom to come home.   

Judging by his treatment of Absolom, David brought him, back but he hadn’t really forgiven him. He placed him under house arrest, for 2 years and didn’t speak to him during that whole time. David’s behavior was a mistake, because all it did, was cause the bitter fruit of resentment to grow in Absolom’s heart----When we ignore sin, we experience much greater pain, than if we deal with it immediately. 

Absolom had a lot going for him. He was a good-looking man, without a single flaw. He knew it and so did everybody else-----And apparently, his hair, was his crowning glory (it weighed 5 pounds when he would cut it from time to time)-----He had 3 sons and a beautiful daughter that he had named after his sister, Tamar----and they all added to his standing. He was a celebrity in Jerusalem, and even though he was a murderer, there were a lot of people who were willing to follow him.  

He was handsome and charming like his father, but, he lacked David’s heart for God, and that would eventually be his undoing…. 

He was bold---he got tired of waiting on David, to receive him back into the fold, and to restore his royal status---so he set fire to Joab’s field to force Joab to pay attention to him ---and then he insisted on Joab getting David to receive him. His actions proved that he thought that he had been justified in his behavior, and that there was no evidence of remorse or a repentant heart. 

Joab told David what Absolom had asked for. David’s wall of stubborn resistance was broken, and he was ready for reconciliation. He summoned Absolom into his presence and for the first time in 5 years he looked into the face of his oldest living son------

David had to know, that if he had done his job as a parent, in the first place, none of what happened, would have happened.-----Tamar would have been protected, Amnon wouldn’t have had the opportunity to rape her, Absolom wouldn’t have killed his brother-----maybe regret and the need to be forgiven, himself, were in the kiss he gave Absolom----we don’t know----but…

With that kiss, he restored Absolom into his good favor-----but it was too little, too late because Absolom was already plotting David’s downfall. Neither David nor Absolom, acknowledged what had transpired between them---if they had, maybe things would have turned out differently---but neither one did----

We can’t treat sin as though it never happened. It won’t just go away on its own. We can pretend like David did, that there isn’t a problem, and we can try and make things go back to the way that they were-----but eventually, and inevitably, unconfessed and undealt-with sin, will rear its ugly head, and will hurt everybody that it touches. Sin has to be acknowledged before the Lord, and repented of----but, we can’t make someone else do the right thing----we can’t be their Holy Spirit----but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can behave the way we’re supposed to, regardless of the way another person behaves------and then we just have to trust the Lord, to work all things together, for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose. 

JOY "David's Fight to be King" March 13, 2013

** This Wrap-up is posted out of order - We apologize for any confusion. We hope you enjoy nonetheless **

2013-3-13

David’s Fight to be King

2^nd Samuel 3:1-5: 25

I         Abner vs Joab vs David    3:1-38

II       The Murder of Ishbosheth   4:1-12

III      David Crowned King Over Israel   5:1-25

In her book, Learning to Breathe,  Karen White said,

“Do you know how diamonds are made?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “they are made of a single element------carbon. But over thousands of years, the carbon had to undergo incredible pressure----something like a minimum of 400 pounds per square inch----and cook to at least 700 degrees. The amazing thing is that if there’s not enough pressure or heat, instead of a diamond, plain old graphite is made. Imagine that----instead of the world’s most indestructible and beautiful thing, you just get graphite. Something to make pencils with---- sure, pencils are nice and useful----but they aren’t diamonds…” 

The more we study about David and his life and his relationships with other people and his relationship with the Lord-----and the more we read about his wisdom and his leadership and his behavior---the more we realize that the Lord was turning him into a diamond of such brilliance, that his shine hasn’t diminished in any way, down through the centuries----- if anything, its only grown more beautiful. 

I      Abner vs Joab vs David 3:1-38

God brought wonderful blessings to the house of David, and it grew stronger and larger even in the middle of war, tribulation, and the interminable waiting, for David to become the king of a united Israel. 

And, the family tree that is listed here, fleshes out a lot of what we know about David’s household----including 4 more wives, in addition to the two, that he had brought with him to Hebron.

The main gist of this chapter, is to reveal to us, the interpersonal relationships that David and Abner and Joab had with each other, and to understand what the Lord wants us to learn about them. It is a commentary on forgiveness, revenge and deceit, murder and retribution.

David and Abner had a long history together.  When they first met each other, Abner was not just the commander of Saul’s army; he was also Saul’s chief of security. When Saul was pursuing David, all those years, Abner was his personal bodyguard. He was supposed to guard Saul with his own life-----and for the most part he must have done a pretty good job----except--- for the one incident, where God caused all of Saul’s army to fall into a deep sleep, and David and Joab were able to slip through the troops, right to the center of the camp, where Saul and Abner were sleeping the same divine sleep, and were able to steal Saul’s spear and water jug. 

And then, from a safe distance, David called Abner out, specifically accusing him of a dereliction of his duty to Saul, and taunting him with the fact ,that he deserved death, for letting his guard down, and leaving Saul so exposed. Even though we, the readers know, that God had closed Abner’s eyes,---Abner didn’t know it----so---David’s words would have publically humiliated him---- Not something a military-man like Abner would have been able to get over easily.

Joab got to know the military Abner when they faced each other, at the Pool of Gibeon, even more intimately, than David knew him, and they were worthy adversaries for each other. But when Asahel, Joab’’s brother, recklessly pursued Abner, and was ultimately killed by him----then Abner and Joab became arch-enemies. 

Both Abner and Joab and their behavior, paved the way for the future division of Israel. Through their interaction with each other, we can clearly see one of the many cracks, in the foundation, of the nation of Israel, and this is one of the many cracks that has developed, over time, into a gaping chasm, that will be impossible to bridge, until the Lord Jesus comes back again, to gather the scattered nation, from the 4 corners of the earth-----so that they can finally fulfill the role that God called them to, from the beginning. 

(How many relationships are shattered because of ego and competition? How many marriages are ruined or churches split because we fail to be peacemakers? Many times, small decisions can lead to major issues down the road. Initially, something may seem like such a small thing----but it can cause cracks, that grow, and swallow us whole, over time, We need to be aware of the rifts that appear in our own relationships, with people, because of neglect, or envy, or misunderstanding, or selfishness, and begin trying to make the necessary repairs, before the holes become too big to mend.)

Over time, and after a long time of war between the house of Saul and the house of David------Saul’s legacy became weaker and weaker and David became stronger and stronger. The civil war rocked the country, with great losses on both sides, though. (and the war happened, because both Israel and Judah had lost sight of God’s vision and purpose---which was to settle the land, by driving out the Canaanites and obey God’s laws, only. Instead of working together, to unite themselves, and accomplish God’s goals, they fought each other. When we come up against conflict, of any kind, we need to step back, so we can take the emotion out of the situation, and think through everything, to see if there are common goals that we share, with the person we’re in conflict with, that are bigger than our differences----so we can come to a solution together.) 

Eventually, as it always does, when people are trying to operate outside of God’s will, came the day when the top leaders in each group tuned on themselves-----Ishbosheth and Abner fought with each other, over a woman, and David and Joab fought with each other, over Abner. The good thing, that came from it though, was, that they finally all lined up according to God’s plan-----it became the means that led to David stepping up to the throne of a united Israel. 

In anger at Ishbosheth, maybe because he didn’t think Ishbosheth was grateful to him enough for putting him on the throne, maybe because he was embarrassed because Ishbosheth called him out, for sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines, which amounted to the same thing as saying he saw himself as the king, or maybe because he saw the handwriting on the wall, that the time had come when they couldn’t fight David any more---because his ascension to the throne was inevitable----  Abner made it his business, to make a deal with David and David accepted the deal, as long as he could get his first wife, Michael, back in the process.  (Maybe David still loved her, but, since she was Saul’s daughter---it was also another way to insure that Saul’s supporters would eventually give David their loyalty.)

Abner proved to David and Isbosheth that he meant business, by getting support from the Israelite elders for the transfer of power from Ishbosheth to David------and he met with David and a delegation from both sides, with what seemed like, full intention to keep all promises.

(There are some theologians who believe that Abner’s real intentions were less than honorable and that God allowed him to be removed from their lives, so that David wouldn’t become king, because of Abner making him king----because what would stop him in the future from doing the same thing to David, that he had done to Isbosheth----flip-flopping loyalty, is always something to be questioned. There must be some truth to this because, Abner  did want David to enter into a covenant with him. But God  had another way---He intended for David to be the leader of His people, Israel and to enter into a covenant with Him, and them-----so He protected David from an unwise alliance.) 

When Joab found out about the deal----he took matters into his own hands—he just couldn’t let his anger about his brother’s death, and his desire for revenge, rest------plus, I think he was scared that there wouldn’t be enough room for both he and Abner to be in top leadership positions, in David’s army---so, when he got back from a raid and discovered that David had formed an alliance with Abner---he was livid at him---and decided to take his personal matters into his own hands and he made them into a spiritual and a national incident----

Joab took revenge for his brother’s death, instead of leaving the justice for it, up to the Lord God---- but there was no honor in what Joab did---- ----Abner had killed Asahel in self-defense during wartime-----but Joab didn’t kill Abner in the context of war---he killed him in cold-blood, in a back alley-----in a city of refuge. Hebron was one of the cities, set apart by God, that were intended to serve, as safe havens, for anyone who needed protection----no murder, for any reason, should have taken place within its walls. 

For Joab to murder Abner there, showed his disrespect for God’s laws, and his disrespect for his king’s commands.

Joab’s actions backfired on him, though------because, when David found out------ he publically renounced the actions of Joab as reprehensible!!!!! There was no excuse for what he had done---on any level. 

David condemned the murder and called down divine judgment onto Joab and his family.  David was harsh with Joab----but he should have been for several reasons----regardless of Abner’s motives-----1.) he grieved over the loss of a skilled military officer, 2.) he wanted to make sure that no one could accuse him of having anything to do with the murder, 3.) he was on the verge of becoming the king over the entire nation and Abner was key to winning over the northern tribes, and 4.)Joab had made a liar out of David, because David had promised safety to Abner and his own commander had committed the cowardly crime.

With all sincerity, David mourned the death of Abner, in the traditional Israelite way and made sure that his burial was honorable, even if his death had not been. And David made Joab tear his clothes and put on burlap as though he was in mourning-----and then David himself, walked behind the funeral bier, weeping loudly and chanting a funeral lament, which he’d written for Abner, refusing to eat all day long. 

And the people loved him for it-----the scripture says that the people of Judah and in all of Israel, were pleased with him, and they believed that he didn’t have anything to do with Abner’s death. 

My bible commentary says that David made Joab mourn, hoping that not many people knew that he had been the murderer, and it would hopefully, ward off any more trouble----and that even though he had spoken harsh words to Joab and had opposed the murder, David didn’t publically punish him because, 1.) to punish Joab could cause the troops to rebel; 2.) Joab was David’s nephew and blood is thicker than water, and any harsh treatment could have caused a family feud; 3.) Joab and David were from the tribe of Judah, and David didn’t want rebellion from his own tribe; 4.)  David didn’t want to lose a skilled and competent commander, who had been invaluable in strengthening his army.”

All in all, David did the best he could with a really difficult situation. And once again, he proved what a wise and competent leader he was. 

(In 1979, the noted NASCAR driver Richard Petty was in a slump. He had lost 45 races in a row. But the losing streak ended at the Daytona 500 that year in an unexpected way. On the last lap of the race Petty was in 3^rd place, more than half a lap behind leader Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough. Before the final lap could be completed, however, Yarborough attempted to make a ‘slingshot’ pass around Allison. Allison refused to let him by, forcing Yarborough’s car to drive partially onto the muddied infield grass. Yarborough lost control of his car and bumped Allison.  

The two leaders then began to bump each other deliberately, with the result being that they locked together and crashed against the outside wall. Their cars ended up in the infield grass and never crossed the finish line. As a result, Richard Petty won the race. Because of their desire for revenge, both Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough lost the opportunity to win it. 

Allison and Yarborough could have learned from Joab, the lesson, that revenge, never turns out right, or gets us what we want or need---- Joab’s raging anger against Abner caused him to destroy not only Abner’s life, but eventually it destroyed his own too. But in contrast, David forgave Saul for his vengeful acts against him and left revenge in God’s hands. We need to remember, that God’s words in Deut. 32:35 “It is mine to avenge, I will repay” are just as applicable to us today, as they were in David’s time.

II    The Murder of Ishbosheth   4:1-12

Civil war is awful and tragic and dark, and we’ve seen it, in this story, at its worst. And it got even darker, as Ishbosheth was killed, at the hands of two of his own men, while he was asleep and unsuspecting and terrified of David, and of what the death of Abner signified for him, and his kingship. But as we read and study this story, there is something else that we see, that is hovering in the background, just at the edge of the whole thing----- that is beginning to shimmer with a glorious light, as we see it begin to take visible shape------And as we think back and as we go forward, with our study of David’s life, we can clearly see that it is the most dominant element of all----it is the relationship that David and God share----David praying. David waiting for the kingdom to be given to him, by the sovereignty of God. David refusing to do anything to hurry  the process. David trusting, that the anointing he had been given 20 years before he ascended the throne, had never changed. David putting up with irritating and disruptive and disobedient followers. David fierce in his passions, David tender in his laments for even his enemies.

David not lifting a hand to take over Saul’s throne. David was such a good man----

But the truth is, none of the story is about David’s goodness or his innocence----we know that he wasn’t perfect and we know that he messed up and made mistakes and misstepped and misspoke-----he was just a man after all-----the truth is, that behind it all, was God------God’s providence, God’s sovereignty, God’s protection, God’s desire, God’s benevolence, God’s direction, God’s mercy, God’s goodness and God’s true and absolute will. David’s whole life, and everything in it, was a miraculous event, which was brought about by a higher, all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful hand. 

David called Ishbosheth an “innocent” man. 

As Saul’s son, Ishbosheth would have had reason to think that he was the next in line for the throne. He wasn’t wicked for wanting to be king; he was just too weak to do the right thing. He was easily led by people who were stronger than he was.

And even though David knew that Ishbosheth was not the leader that God intended to unite Israel, and that, God had promised it to him, David had no intention of killing Ishbosheth. 

When David found out about Ishbosheth’s death, he was furious. He had never harmed Saul and he fully intended to never harm his descendants. David wanted to unite Israel---he didn’t want to drive a permanent wedge between him and the people who supported Isbosheth and the old way of doing things. To show that he had nothing to do with Ishbosheth’s death, or the extermination of Saul’s line----David had the assassins killed, and he gave Ishbosheth a proper burial.

All the tribes of Israel finally recognized, after that, that David was the strong leader that they needed and they came to him and pledged their loyalty to him. He didn’t have to lift a finger----God did it all.  

The promise that God made to Israel and to David took a long time to be fulfilled. David had to go through many difficult experiences, but they all made him a better king for having endured them. He was a man after God’s own heart, that God prepared to be the man, and the king, that He wanted him to be. 

This is typical of the way that God operates and how He brings about his promises and His purposes. God is not in a hurry. Waiting tests our faith and our endurance----it grows us and refines us and strips all the waste away. Waiting is a part of each of our lives, and God will reward us with great blessing, if we are patient and faithful and trusting, as we wait on Him.

( A young man desired to go to India as a missionary with the London Missionary Society. Mr. Wilks was appointed to consider the young man’s fitness for the post. He wrote to the young man, and told him to call on him at 6:00 the next morning. 

Although the applicant lived many miles away, he was at the house punctually at 6:00 and was ushered into the drawing room. He waited----and waited---- and waited wonderingly, but patiently. Finally Mr. Wilks walked into the room mid-morning. 

Without apology, Mr. Wilks began, “well young man, so you want to be a missionary?” “Yes sir, I do.” “Do you love the Lord, Jesus Christ?” “Yes Sir, I certainly do.” “And do you have any education?” “Yes Sir, a little.” “Well now, we’ll try you; can you spell cat?” The young man looked confused, and hardly knew how to answer such a preposterous question. His mind evidently halted between indignation and submission, but in a moment he replied steadily, “C,a,t, Cat.”

“Very good,” said Mr. Wilkes. “now can you spell dog?” The young man was stunned, but he replied ‘d,o,g.” “Well that is right; I see you will do well in your spelling, and now or your arithmetic; how much is 2times 2?”  The patient young man gave the right reply and then was dismissed.

Mr Wilks gave his reply at the committee meeting. He said, “ I cordially recommend that young man; his testimony and character I have duly examined. I tried his self-denial, he was up in the morning early; I tried his patience by keeping him waiting; I tried his humility and temper by insulting his intelligence. He will do just fine.”

III      David Crowned King Over Israel   5:1-25

The Israelites were the ones who came to David at Hebron and they were the ones who recognized that he needed to be their king and the ones who finally anointed him and went into a covenant with him before the Lord. What a day of rejoicing it must have been!!!! 

The Israelite leaders were acting out of obedience to God, not out of rebellion, like they had been when they demanded it ,and Saul was made king. The king that they found in David, was finally, the king that they really deserved----everybody---God, David, and the people, were finally, all on the same page. 

When they approached David, they acknowledged several vitally important truths-----which were the basis for David’s kingship and their submission to him-----They recognized that they shared a common heritage with David----that they were under the same original covenant with God and that God desired unity for His people. They also recognized that David had already provided leadership for them, back when he was Saul’s commander---- and then, for for many years to his own men and to the men of Judah, which led them to accept David, as God’s anointed choice for the throne.  

At the same time, David finally found a place to call home----Jerusalem-----It was originally called Jebus, and was considered to be the Fortress of Zion. It was still inhabited by the Jebusites, an original Canaanite people-group. It was located up on a high ridge, near the center of the country. It was considered neutral territory, between southern and the northern tribes, because it stood on the border between the tribal lands of Benjamin and Judah. 

The Jebusites thought that they had a clear military advantage because the natural setting of the city made it difficult to defeat----not only was it in the hill country, it was on the top of more than one mountain and it was surrounded by valleys. They bragged about their impregnable fortress-----but they soon discovered that their taunts and jeers were wasted----they found out that their walls couldn’t protect them------David and his men caught them by surprise by sneaking in through the water tunnel and capturing it and renaming it, the City of David. (the truth for us, is that we can’t be safe anywhere or with any one, without the Lord----security in anyone or anything else is just  false security. No matter if we’re surrounded by mighty walls of stone and tall hills and deep valleys or comfortable homes, wonderful marriages, secure jobs and good health----no one can predict what tomorrow may bring----our relationship with the Lord is the only security that we have, that can never be taken away. ) 

God continued to bless and increase David’s power and his household. When King Hyram of Tyre, sent a generous gift of cedar logs to build David a palace, it deepened David’s conviction, that the Lord, had established him as king over Israel, and that God had a greater purpose in blessing him-----God had blessed David, so that David could turn around and be a blessing to the nation. 

Even though God never condoned multiple wives and concubines----as  a sign of his increasing power, David added more wives  to his harem and he fathered many sons and daughters, after he conquered Jerusalem. I don’t know how he justified it----but it might have been a way for him to keep peace in the country, by using the marriages and relationships, as a way to build treaties and alliances politically. But it did come back to bite him, as his children vied for his throne even before his death.

The Philistines, unlike the Israelites, would not submit to David, as God’s king. They attacked David, seeking to kill him and to remove the threat that they knew he was to them. They remembered when he had defeated Goliath and they remembered the mighty warrior he had been, when he had lived and fought among them. They came against him twice, and twice, because David obeyed God’s instructions, to the letter, God gave him the victory.  The people who received David, as God’s king, were blessed and the people who rejected David, as God’s king were crushed. As we continue in 2^nd Samuel---we’re going to see this happen over and over again.

(Charles Swindoll, the noted pastor, writer and chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary, tells of a time in his life when he had an especially busy schedule. With a demanding professional agenda, his home life suffered. If he was able to come home to eat at all, meal times would be rushed, conversations short and tensions elevated. During one such appearance at home, his youngest daughter, Colleen wanted to tell him about something important that had happened at school that day. In his book Stress Fractures, Swindoll described what happened next. “She began hurriedly, ‘Daddy, I want to tell you something and I’ll tell you really fast.’ Suddenly, realizing her frustration, I answered, ‘Honey, you can tell me----and you don’t have to tell me really fast.’ I’ll never forget her answer: ‘then listen slowly.”

When faced with the difficult prospect of fighting a Philistine army, on the march, in the heartlands of Israel, David took the time to “listen slowly” to God. By listening carefully to the Lord and obeying him completely, David witnessed the miracle, of hearing God marching in the treetops, as He went before David, to destroy his enemies-----and by listening slowly, David found guidance that helped him turn a dangerous, uncertain situation, into a dynamic success for his country. In the lives we live----in the good times and in the hard ones, do we take the time to “listen slowly” to the Lord? The words He speaks to us will make all the difference in any situation.  We just have to take the time to listen.

JOY "The Troubles of David" April 3, 2013

 2013-4-3

The Troubles of David

2nd Samuel 11:1- 12:31

I     David’s Great Sin    11:1-27

II    God’s Great Forgiveness   12:1-31

Charles Swindoll tells the true story, of a couple in his church, that is clear reminder to us, of just how serious God is, about fidelity.  

Clara and Chester’s marriage was a good one. Not the most idyllic, but good.  They had 3 grown children who loved them dearly, and who they were devoted to.  They were also blessed with sufficient financial security, which allowed them room to dream, about a retirement home----so they began looking for one.  There was a widower, named Sam, who was selling his home, by owner. Clara and Chester went to see the house and loved it!! They decided to purchase it, Sam accepted their offer, and they set the closing date, for a few months later.

Just before they were to meet with the lawyers, to seal the deal for the house, Clara told Chester that she wanted a divorce. He was stunned, and he couldn’t figure out why she would want to walk away from all their years together. He couldn’t believe that she could deceive him so callously, especially while they were in the middle of buying their dream home.

She explained to him, that it had been a recent decision, because she was “in love” with another man. She then confessed, that the new love of her life---was Sam, the man they were buying the house from. 

She had inadvertently run into him, a couple of weeks after they had decided to buy his house. Their affair had started, with a cup of coffee; then. had progressed to dinner the next week; and since then, they had been seeing each other, privately, as often as they could, and they had reached the place, where their relationship wasn’t just emotional, they had become sexually involved, as well.  

Clara insisted that there was no going back---she knew what she wanted and she was going to grab it-----not even their children, who hated what their mother was doing, could dissuade her.

On the day that Clara was supposed to move out, Chester walked through the kitchen toward the garage. It dawned on him, that Clara wouldn’t be there when he got home from work, so he stopped to tell her good-bye, but realized he couldn’t do it, when his whole body began to shake, as he started to weep. 

Clara felt awkward, so she cut him off and hurriedly got her things together, and backed out of the driveway, without looking back, even once. 

She drove to meet Sam and settled into his house, with him, without one speck of remorse. But, less than 2 weeks after she moved in, Sam was seized with a heart attack and lingered only a few hours, before he died.

When it comes to fidelity, or any kind of morality, really---- God is serious about our obedience-----

Grantley Morris wrote, “Fire, brings comforting warmth, or destruction, depending on whether it is under control. In the same way, sexual passion either enriches a person’s soul or it impoverishes it----it either heals or harms, depending on how it’s controlled. Human history has chronicled sexual passion’s comforting warmth, and it’s cruel destruction.”

Proof, of the universal threat, that adultery has posed to individuals and to society, is found all throughout the written history of humanity. The Code of Hammurabi, a book of laws, that originated in ancient Mesopotamia, around 1750 B.C. ---about 300 years before the Law of Moses--- declared that any man caught in the act of adultery was to be tied up and thrown into the Euphrates River.

And adultery laws have always been a part of the American legal system, even though the laws have varied from state to state---in Michigan, being convicted of adultery, can result in life imprisonment; and in Maryland, the penalty, is just a 10 dollar fine; 

while in North Carolina, an adulterer can either be fined or imprisoned, depending on the discretion of the judge-----

The presence of adultery laws in human society, from the beginning of time, until today, in every country, in every generation, in every people group, points to the fact that God has written anti-adultery laws on the human heart. David’s sin with Bathsheba, was against her and her husband, but since God has made human beings in His image, fundamentally, and ultimately, David’s sin was against the Lord God.

I      David’s Great Sin

David had been a fighter since the days and nights that he had spent in the sheepfold, warding off wild animals, that had threatened the safety of his flock. And after he had proved his prowess against Goliath,-----he had stayed in the thick, of one battle after another, for his whole adult life. 

Winter was the rainy season in Israel, the times when crops are planted. So, spring was a good time to go to war, because the roads were dry, which made travel easier for the troops, the supply wagons and the horses and the chariots---- and food was plentiful, all along the way, because it was harvest time for wheat and barley. 

Why David didn’t go with his men to battle, in that spring, of his 20^th year as king, nobody knows….If we put ourselves in David’s shoes, we could come up with numerous, reasons that might have convinced us not to go -------like the fact that * David had gotten older(he was 50 or 51, at the time) and maybe he just needed to take a break, because his stamina for physical combat wasn’t what it once had been.  Or the fact that * David might have just been plain tired, he had led such an action-packed life, for so many years, maybe he just wanted to take some time off because he had earned it. Or maybe, * David had gotten spoiled by being king for 20 years and had grown to prefer the luxurious accommodations of the palace and the lavish meals and the being waited on hand and foot…

Whatever the reason was, that prompted him to stay home---- bible commentators, across the board, agree that staying home, was the first, in a series of bad choices, that David made, which led up to his sinful behavior. 

Although the Law didn’t prohibit the king from taking a break from military duty ----it was unusual for David------- and not going with his men into battle, placed David in graver danger, than any spear, arrow, or slingshot ever could-----it left him in a vulnerable place emotionally and physically and spiritually. Our greatest battles don’t usually come when we are working hard; they come, when we are taking a break from service, or when we have time on our hands, or when we’re lonely, and or and especially, when we’re bored. (This is a lesson to us to never stop working for the kingdom---no matter how old, or tired or infirm we become----there is always a task that the Lord has for us to do, which will keep our focus on Him, and keep us out of trouble and will keep us from listening to satan’s whispers and temptations.)

A bored and aimless King David, shirking his duties in battle, spied a woman (in her own garden, taking a bath) one evening while he was strolling on his rooftop.  And instead of turning away and leaving her to her privacy, he gazed at her long enough to see her beauty, which prompted him to desire to know more about her. He found out that she was the daughter of one of his advisors and the wife of one of his guards, Uriah the Hittite. Instead of letting those two facts deter him, he let his passion and his power run away with his good sense and his obedience to the Lord God-----and he sent for her, (she didn’t think she could refuse him, he was the king after all----she ran the risk of losing her life or imprisonment if she had said no) he slept with her, got her pregnant---- and started a downward spiral of events that led to grievous consequences for everybody involved. 

There were 3 steps, into sin, that James described in James 1:14-15 and shows us, the progression of David’s sin,----and----they are the same 3 steps that we all take, when we  sin ----1. He saw, 2. He wanted to know more, 3. He yielded to the temptation. 

David, a man after God’s own heart, was brought down from a place of glory, because he chose to satisfy his own desire instead of God’s. Being a godly person doesn’t make a person immune from temptation or incapable of sinning; even godly people are capable of great sin, when they take their focus off of the Lord and put it on themselves or their circumstances. My Bible commentary says that there are 3 specific things we can do that will help us flee from temptation…* ask God, in earnest prayer, to help us stay away from people, places and situations that are temptations to us, * memorize and meditate on scripture that combat our specific weakness---at the root of most temptation is a real need or desire that God can fill,  if we let Him----but we have to trust in His timing, * find another believer that we can openly share our struggles with and call that person, for help, when temptation strikes.)

A lot of commentators want to assign some of the blame for what happened, to Bathsheba----- but when you read chapter 12---not once does Nathan, as the mouthpiece of God, ascribe any guilt to her----he depicts, both she, and Uriah, as the victims in the story, not the villians-----he lays all the blame, solidly at David’s feet-----which makes the consequences that they had to face, through no fault of their own, doubly hard to reconcile in our hearts and minds. (this is a lesson to us that when we sin, it doesn’t just affect us and our relationship with the Lord, but it drags other people into it, too, and can hurt them with incomparable hurt.) (and the tragedy of Uriah, is a reminder to us, that God doesn’t always deliver the righteous, from the hands of the wicked immediately, or even in their lifetime----we just have to trust---- that in His sovereignty, He has a good and perfect plan, that will one day be revealed, and in that day we will understand and rejoice, but until that day comes ,we just have to trust His heart when we can’t see His hand)

One of the worst aspects of this story, is that David’s sin didn’t end with his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. One sin just led to another one----Trying to hide one sin with another one, only makes the problem worse. 

David tried to hide the affair with Bathsheba, with a deceptive plot to make Uriah appear to be the father of David’s baby. David and Bathsheba, knew that Uriah couldn’t be the father, because the bath, that Bathsheba had been taking, when David had first seen her, had been a ritual bath of purification, that all Hebrew woman had to participate in, to cleanse themselves after their monthly menstrual cycles. 

David called Uriah home from the battle and twice tried to get him to go home, so that he could sleep with his wife-----but it seems like Uriah knew and lived by a law, of the Lord God, that David had chosen to forget------which was, “that as long as there was a battle going on, no good Hebrew man would avail himself of the comforts of home----especially not the comforts and joy of sleeping with his wife”…

It was bad enough that David acted like Uriah’s friend, but to get him drunk ,and then to make him carry his own death-sentence letter to Joab, seems beyond heinous, to me. But desperate times call for desperate measures------ and David must have been desperate---- because if the adulterous affair had been discovered, according to Hebrew law, both David and Bathsheba would have had to be put to death. 

(David put Bathsheba and Joab in impossible situations---Bathsheba knew that adultery was wrong--- and we know that Joab knew, from past experience, how much David hated murder, yet each one of them were terrified, not to obey him, in his requests-----there are many times when we face situations where there are only 2 apparent choices, and both seem wrong----but when that happens, we can’t lose sight of what God wants-----2 wrongs never make a right----The answer is to seek out more choices---the Holy Spirit will help us find one that honors God…)

Uriah was sent to the front lines, and in what seemed like a tactical error to the interested observer ----because he was too close to the enemy city wall---- he was killed. The report of his death didn’t bring David any joy, though, in fact, he acted almost lackadaisical about it----but it does seem to have brought him some temporary relief, about the fact that his sin hadn’t been discovered,-----and from David’s perspective, he was hoping that it never would.

After Bathsheba had mourned the death of her husband, David did take her to be his own wife------and their baby was born inside their marriage vows, even if he was a little early------ so David thought he had concealed his sins from the general public-----but knowing the kind of honorable man that David was; and knowing the kind of relationship he had always had with the Lord God; and knowing that once the Holy Spirit had come upon him as a shepherd boy, He had never left him; and from reading the Psalms, that David wrote, during that time(Psalm 32:1-11, Psalm 51:1-19, Psalm 103:1-22)---we can know, that for almost a year, the guilt nearly ate him alive----so it was the greatest of  blessings that God intervened.

Throughout history, many attempts have been made to cover up incompetence, immorality, disobedience and murder -----and 2nd Samuel is one of the greatest cover-up attempts, of all time-----but like they all do, it failed miserably----because God is an omniscient God and He knows everything, and for David’s sake, it was a good thing that God does-----because in His mercy and in His love, He exposed David’s sin, so that David could face it, confess it and repent of it. 

(David could have chosen to stop and turn from evil at any stage along the way---but the truth is, once sin gets started, it’s difficult to stop it----the deeper the mess, the less we want to admit having caused it. But it’s much easier, to stop sliding down a hill when you’re near the top, than when you are halfway down. 

The best solution is to stop the sin, before it gets started good…That’s why I always prayed for my kids to get caught the first time, so that they could be stopped in their tracks, from following the same downward path that David found himself on----of one sin leading to another and another and another…God loves His children enough to save them from themselves----even if He has to get our attention in ways that break our hearts…)

The difference between David at his best and David at his worst, speaks volumes to us, because it brings up the troubling question: if someone who loved God as much as David did, could fall that far into sin, couldn’t it happen to anyone? The answer to that question is an absolute “yes” and for several reasons: * the inclination to sin is inherent to everyone * the temptation to sin is everywhere *sinning leads to more sinning and * sinning causes people to question, and even ignore, God.

Our only hope, is the power of the Holy Spirit, guiding and controlling our lives, and giving us the strength to resist temptation, when we come face to face with it. Who can know how this episode might have been rewritten, had David, as he had done so many times in the past----turned to God for guidance, before he sent his servant to fetch Bathsheba to his chambers, or had he turned to God for forgiveness and rescue, after he committed adultery, when he knew he needed help.

II     God’s Great Forgiveness

Agnes Bojaxhiu, known to the world as “Mother Teresa”, was a Roman Catholic nun who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her selfless 

work among the poor in Calcutta, India. She founded the Catholic order of the Sisters of Charity, and ministered to the “poorest of poor”----or 

phans, widows, people infected with leprosy, tuberculosis, and Aids----in India from 1929 until her death in 1997.

On February 3, 1994, Mother Teresa was given the opportunity to address the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. Attending the event was the then-president, Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary. The tiny, soft-spoken,  4 ft, ten inches high, Mother Teresa, spoke like she was a giant, that day, with her words. 

Those who were present, were captivated, as she spoke of the poor in the world. Then they were stunned as she addressed the topic of abortion, especially since the pro-abortion president and vice-president  of the United States were sitting at the head table. As she addressed the 

topic, Mother Teresa, noted: “By abortion . the mother does not  learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems. And by abortion, the father is told that he doesn’t have to take any responsibility at all for the child that he has brought into the world. “ then she added  a silent indictment of the president of the US and  his nation: “Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching the people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. That’s why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.”

As the frail nun returned to her seat, the entire audience rose and gave her a sustained standing ovation.------ well, almost the entire audience. President Clinton, Mrs. Clinton and vice-president Gore remained seated, as others stood to recognize her. Mother Teresa had used her opportunity  to confront the president if the US with the truth of God, regardless of how unwelcome the words may have been to the powerful politicians.  In doing that, on that day, she was following in the tradition of the great prophet Nathan, as he spoke the word of God to King David.

David had spent nearly a year, suffering from the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual fallout, from his sins. (In Psalm 51:2-4, David wrote, “Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from sin. For I recognize my rebellion, it haunts me day and night. Against you and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.”) 

He was like a small child who was hiding in a closet, guilty of some misbehavior, his cries drowning out the voice of his father, who was trying to coax him out.  David may have withdrawn himself from God’s presence, but God didn’t remove Himself from David’s! Since David wasn’t able to hear the Holy Spirit’s whisper, above the sound of his own groaning----God chose another way to get through to David: He sent His messenger and David’s preacher, Nathan, to him.  Nathan was a prophet and a friend to David. David had even named one of his sons after Nathan. When Nathan went to David, he went, not just as God’s spokesperson, but as David’s loved and trusted friend. 

It was probably the hardest thing he’d ever done----to go to the king, with a message of rebuke and judgment was bad enough-----but to go to a friend and confront him about his sin, and then, to hold him accountable to God, for it, would have been even worse. 

(How does a man or woman of God point out sin to a friend? It has to be very carefully---with honesty and clarity and kindness---and with the Holy Spirit going before them, paving the way and softening hearts. We have to pray for courage and skill and tact. If we want the person to respond positively and constructively, we have to think through what we’re going to say----how we present what we say, can be as important as what we actually say---we have to season our words with wisdom from the scripture and we need another believer praying for us.)

Nathan used the utmost tact in delivering his message to David----To get the truth across; he wrapped the message in the language of a parable, which we know from Jesus, (the master communicator) is a simple story that teaches a spiritual lesson. Nathan made the truth accessible and pertinent to David, by placing a lamb in the center of his tale------which would have appealed to the gentle shepherd part of David, that God knew was the real David. David was insensed at the injustice of the rich man to take the poor man’s pet lamb-----and he called for the death penalty and restoration of the man’s property 4 times over---little did he know, that in pronouncing the man guilty, he was unwittingly, declaring his own guilt!!!!! (David had become insensitive to his own sins, and he didn’t realize that he was the bad guy in Nathan’s story. 

A lot of times, the qualities that we condemn in others are very often, our own character flaws (When you point your finger, look at how many fingers are pointing back at you.) Which family members or friends do we find it easy to criticize, and their behavior or attitude, hard to accept? Instead of trying to change them, we need to ask the Lord to help us understand their feelings and see our own flaws more clearly----we may just discover, that, in condemning someone else, we are really condemning ourselves.)

David didn’t see what was coming----as he had sprung the trap on himself----and as it clamped down, Nathan dramatically indicted David as the culprit. In stunned silence, David listened to the charges against him. In His message to David, through Nathan, God spend more words explaining what David had---and could have----if he’s only asked---than He did elaborating on David’s crimes. Through Nathan, God reminded David that He had anointed him as king, saved him from Saul, several times over, had given him many healthy children, and had showered him with property and possessions. In going over the list of the ways that He had provided for David, God seemed to be underlining important lessons about greed and covetousness, that were at the root of his sins of murder and adultery. 

(We all struggle with the innate desire to have what doesn’t belong to us----how can we conquer it----we have to consciously *learn how to be content---it doesn’t come naturally to us---we have to choose it through prayer and counting our blessings and choosing to be happy for the person we are jealous of. And we have to consciously choose * to learn to trust God---we have to choose to believe that God will make sure that we get everything that we need----we have to choose to believe that He is the ultimate provider and that He will always care for us, with our best interests in mind.)

God spoke to David through Nathan, as though David had forgotten all the things that God had given him----that David had forgotten that he hadn’t done anything in his own strength-----God accused David of clinging to his riches, rather than clinging to the God, who had blessed him.  Then God spelled out, in no uncertain terms, the judgment that would fall on David. His private sin was going to bear public and painful penalties. Nothing would change concerning the David Covenant, but his household, from that point forward would be marked by violence and conflict. 

God made it clear, and David recognized immediately, that after all that he had done against Bathsheba and Uriah----- first and foremost----- David’s sin was against God. 

He had ceased to humbly acknowledge, that God was the giver of all that he had and all that he was-----David had chosen to take what he wanted, instead of relying on God, to provide what he needed----

And, he had chosen to disobey 3 of God’s commandments----and he knew that he had-----and because, he knew, that he had----and because he loved God, and he missed Him, the guilt and sorrow was eating his soul up----(sin may give us momentary pleasure, but eventually, it grieves the Spirit who indwells us, and then we can’t take pleasure in the sin and it makes us sick)-----that’s the place that David had reached and God knew it----so He sent Nathan at just the right time….

When David was confronted with the facts, his confession was immediate! He didn’t try to justify his sin or rationalize it----he took full blame for it-----and he poured his heart out to the Lord in complete and total repentance. His repentance, wasn’t just the fruit of Nathan’s rebuke; it was more David’s response, to the work that God had been doing in his heart, before David had confessed, while he was still trying to cover up his sin.

David confessed his sin without any excuses and without any finger-pointing, toward anyone else. Psalms 32 and 51 clearly indicate to us, that David had given his sin a great deal of thought and the more he reflected on it----the more heinous it became to him----and the more he could see that his sin, was against God alone. This in no way diminished the evil, that he had done to Bathsheba and Uriah, but the truth is, that all sin, is ultimately, the breaking of God’s law.  Crimes are offenses against people, but sin is only against God. 

David didn’t presume against God’s grace, expecting to be forgiven and to have his life spared. He knew what he deserved and he didn’t ask to escape from it.  From Psalms 32 and 51, we know that David’s repentance, resulted in renewed joy in the presence and service of God, and a commitment to teach others, to turn from sin. Drawing near to God and clinging to Him alone, is what changed David’s heart and allowed him to confess and repent of his sins, and to accept God forgiveness for them, and to live with the consequences of what he’d done. ( no matter how miserable guilt makes us feel, or how terribly we’ve sinned, we can pour our hearts out to God and seek His forgiveness, like David did. There is always forgiveness available, for us, when we sin, if we ask for forgiveness and we truly repent)

According to the Law, David should have died for his sins----but based on divine grace, through the death of the Christ, who was coming, David’s sins were forgiven and he was assured that he wouldn’t die. Nathan’s words must have been an unimaginable relief to David, who was fully aware that all he really deserved from God, was his wrath. 

But his relief was tinged with great sadness because part of the consequences that needed to be dealt with, was the death of David and Bathsheba’s newborn son. Their son became sick within the week, and despite David’s fervent fasting and prayer, the child died.  By taking the life of the child, God was revealing just how much He hates sin and just how serious the consequences for it, are. God allowed that baby to die because He had to discipline David----it wasn’t a judgment on the child for having been conceived out of wedlock----it was a judgment on David for his sin. The child’s death was a horrible punishment for David, and Bathsheba to have to bear------- God took the child, but He still had work for David to do, in building the kingdom.   

God also, had to preserve His reputation, to the nations….God allowed David’s baby to die, because David had given Israel’s enemies, reason, to show contempt for God. To say that David’s actions had given the ungodly Canaanites, reason to scoff at the Israelite’s God was an understatement-----the leader of God’s people----David who had gained the respect of not only the Israelites but the other nations as well----had committed adultery and murder---crimes, even the ungodly nations hated----God couldn’t allow the sins to go unpunished, in a way all people would understand-----a baby’s death is tragic, but despising God, will brings death to whole nations.

Once the child had died, David immediately got up; cleaned up; prepared himself ritually; and then, went in to worship the Lord. 

In explaining his unexpected and uncustomary behavior to his puzzled servants, he told them, that as long as the baby was alive, he had hope that God would change his mind and let him continue to live, but then, once the baby had died, he had to accept that the death was final, and that he couldn’t do anything to bring the baby back, so it was useless to continue to plead with God----- but that someday, it would be his turn to die, and then, he would be able to join the baby----but until that time, life was for the living and God was to be praised! We need to learn to fully accept God’s answer to our prayers, even when the answer is no.

Following the death of their son, David went in to comfort Bathsheba, and as a result of their union, God blessed them with the birth of a second son, Solomon, who became the next great king of Israel. Nathan prophetically named the son Jedidiah---which means ‘loved by the Lord”.  God showed great favor to Solomon, for his whole life. 

One more time, we can see in David’s life, how God used his mistakes and his heartaches and his struggles, to teach and train and refine him, into the man He wanted him to be.  It is significant, that the closing action of this passage, described David returning to his place, as the leader of Israel’s army, the role he had shirked, that led to his fall into sin,-----and claimed victory over Rabbah of the Ammonites, once and for all.

(David chose not to dwell on his sins or the consequences----he chose to return to the Lord God, and God forgave him, and renewed their relationship-----which opened the way, for David, to pick up his boot straps, and keep on moving forward-----When we have sinned and we return to God, He will give us a fresh start too----we just have to accept his forgiveness, choose to leave the guilt behind, and change our ways by continuing to walk forward, with our eyes fixed on Jesus.)

If we read about the heinousness of David’s sins and leave it at that, we haven’t learned very much, we’ve just learned about the frailty of mankind-----but if we read and understand, about the mercy of God, then we have learned something tremendous---we have learned that the depth of God’s love has no end-----and that is something to be cherished….