2 Samuel 12
-Nathan the prophet is sent to deliver a confronting word to
the king. He used tact in a brilliant illustration that helped David get the
point (see 2 Samuel 12:1-4). David’s anger burned when he heard about a rich
man’s lack of compassion. He exclaimed that a man like this surely deserved to die
with restitution made fourfold. When he found out it was himself that the
prophet was talking about, David acknowledged his sin against the LORD. It was
a humble display of repentance by a powerful individual. He allowed God’s
messenger to point out that even though he had been anointed and delivered from
all his adversaries and lifted up with his master’s house and his master’s
wives and all of Judah and Israel under his control with more promised, he had
done this great evil in the sight of the LORD by despising His Word. David was
rightly accused of striking down Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the sons
of Ammon (see 2 Samuel 11), and taking his wife away from him as his own in a
selfish-lustful act. There were additional prophetic curses placed on the house
of David as consequences for this sin. The sword (violence) would never depart
his house. Evil would be raised up against the king from within his own
relatives. His wives would be taken before his eyes and given to his companion
in broad daylight for everyone to know. David accepted his fate with
resignation and sorrow though; we can easily discern this from the text (2
Samuel 12:5-13a). In the days ahead, all of these prophecies would come to
fruition.
-When Nathan was through with his courageous encounter,
which I am sure was not an easy task, he noted that the LORD, because of David’s
repentant heart, had taken his sin away. Not the consequences, but the sin, let
us note that. He would not die because of his transgressions. However, because
of this deed that he committed, David had given occasion to the enemies of the
LORD to blaspheme; therefore, God told David through Nathan that his son would
surely die. Upon stating this, Nathan returned to his house (2 Samuel
12:13b-15).
-Then, according to His word, the LORD struck the child that
Uriah’s widow had borne to David with severe sickness. David once again
inquired of God with his life’s issues (see 1 Samuel 23:2-4; 30:8 2 Samuel 2:1;
5:19, 23 for other inquiries). He fasted and wept and lay all night on the
ground in utter sorrow for what he had caused. The elders of his household
tried to get him up, but he was despondent and would not even eat with them. On
the seventh day of the crisis, the child finally died and went to be with the
LORD. David’s servants were afraid to tell the king this news thinking that he
might harm himself because of it. But when David observed them whispering to
one another, he was perceptive enough to know that his child was deceased. He
plainly and straightforwardly asked if the child was dead, to which they
confirmed the bad news. David did an unusual thing upon hearing this. He arose
from the ground where he was lamenting, washed and anointed himself, changed
his clothes, and came into the house (tabernacle, tent) of the LORD and
worshiped. Afterwards, he returned to his own house, requested food, and ate
it. His servants were astonished by his actions and inquired why he had done
this in such a fashion. David’s reply was insightful, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said,
‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ But now
he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him (as
in Heaven, indicating an age of accountability theology), but he will not
return to me (2 Samuel 12:16-23).”
-In the following days, King David comforted his wife,
Bathsheba. They had further marital relations, this time more appropriately in
the LORD’s sight, and conceived another son. This son was named Solomon, and “the
LORD loved him.” Word was sent through Nathan the prophet that he be named “Jedidiah
(beloved of the LORD) for the LORD’s sake.” God was showing both His justice
and His merciful compassion throughout this ordeal (2 Samuel 12:24-25).
-The scene shifts back to the war with the sons of Ammon in
Rabbah in the remaining verses of this enlightening chapter. Joab fought
against Rabbah and captured the royal city that had been secure for quite a
while. Messengers were sent to the king to inform him of the victory over this “city
of waters.” It had water supply, which was crucial in this region, especially
in ancient cultures. Joab called for the rest of Israel to come and camp
against the city to fully capture it for the nation; else he would do it by
himself and name the city after him as the conqueror. So David gathered
everyone upon this request, and they went and fought to fully capture the city.
David took the exclusive crown of their king, Hanun (see 2 Samuel 10:2), and
placed it on his head. The crown weighed a talent of gold and had a precious
stone in it. Great spoil was also brought out of the city for Israel’s benefit.
David also brought out the people who were in the city and set them under saws,
sharp iron instruments, iron axes, and made them pass through the brickkiln. In
fact, all the cities of the sons of Ammon were subjected to this plight, and
then David returned with all his people back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 12:26-31).
-*Application* The courage and wisdom of the prophet Nathan
to confront an evil act should be noted here. It’s not just confronting sin that
is important, but how we do it that can provide effectiveness and restoration
in a situation. David’s heart for accepting his fate and consequences should
also be admired from this narrative. God forgives when we come clean and admit
our sins. Let us not forget though that there are always consequences that can
be quite severe in our lives when we decide to take a licentious stance and do
evil in the sight of God as His children. David’s relationship with God was
intact, but his fellowship was truly tested because of his wrongful decisions.
They had long lasting effects on his family. We need to learn from his mistakes
and avoid these pitfalls. Avoid the sorrows, live a holy-blessed life by
resisting any and all temptation as a child of the King.
Verse to Memorize:
2 Samuel 12:13
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