Bible Pathways 04/14/2002
April 14
Read 2 Samuel 10 -- 12
In Today's Reading:
The Ammonites abuse David's messengers and war ensues l The Syrians are also defeated and become David's servants l Beautiful Bathsheba enters the story l David arranges for Uriah to be killed in battle l Nathan's parable and David's repentance l Birth of Solomon.
Verse for Today:
It came to pass . . . at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him . . . and they destroyed the children of Ammon. . . . But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself (2 Samuel 11:1-2).
David had never lost a war and had grown accustomed to getting whatever he wanted. Satan will always have something or someone to attract our attention when we are in a position to gratify our fleshly desires. He always presents sin as both attractive and satisfying.
For David, his personal defeat began by watching Bathsheba bathe. His thoughts turned to lust and he decided he wanted her. When David inquired, he was told she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:3), one of his 37 mighty men (23:8-39). This information should have stopped him, added to that David knew that adultery was a wicked sin against God and was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10). But, David sent messengers, and took her (2 Samuel 11:4). In an attempt to cover his sin, he arranged the death of Bathsheba's husband by having him placed on the front lines of battle.
From the moment David first lusted after Bathsheba until their marriage, there was no one to interfere with his pleasure. However, about one year later, David was confronted by Nathan the prophet, who boldly said: [Why have you] despised the Commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? (12:9). As the result of David's adultery, Nathan foretold: The sword shall never depart from [your] house. . . . I will raise up evil against (you) (12:10-11). Then David confessed to Nathan: I have sinned against the Lord (12:13).
One sin usually leads to unforeseen complications and to other evils. Unlike Saul, however, David repented of his sins as recorded in his bitter confession in Psalms 51.
For the next 20 years, the entire last half of his reign, until the time of his death, David's sorrows and sufferings never ceased as the result of just one night of yielding to his lust. First, there was the death of the child born of this sin of adultery (2 Samuel 12:15-18). A short time later, David's lovely daughter Tamar was raped by her half-brother Amnon, heir-apparent to the throne (13:11-14). Two years later (13:23), David's son Absalom took revenge on Amnon for the disgrace of his sister and had him murdered (13:28-29). Then Ahithophel, David's most trusted counselor, became a traitor by joining the short-lived rebellion and reign of Absalom. Perhaps both men assumed that, because of David's failing health and old age, it would be simple to murder him and take control. Ahithophel's disloyalty and treason ended in his suicide (17:23). A short time later, Absalom was killed in battle by Joab and his men (18:9-15). Then Sheba, from Saul's tribe, took advantage of the national unrest that Absalom had created and led another revolt (20:1-2). Finally, Adonijah, David's fourth son, gained the cooperation of Joab, the commander in chief of David's army, and proclaimed himself king (1 Kings 1:5). David was immediately forced to abdicate the throne (1:35) and declare Solomon king.
No one is able to avoid the consequences that result from yielding to temptation in a moment of lust. Because of David's sincere repentance (Psalms 51), God forgave him. But forgiveness does not remove the results: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).
Christ Revealed:
In the prophet Nathan giving Solomon the name Jedidiah, which means beloved of the Lord (2 Samuel 12:24-25). Christ was greatly loved by the Father (John 17:24).
Word Study:
10:12 play the men = show our courage; 11:1 the year was expired = spring of the year; 11:8 mess of meat = a gift from the king; 12:4 spared = refused; 12:11 in the sight of this sun = publicly, for all Israel shall know; 12:31 under saws = enslaved, assigned to various kinds of work.
Prayer Needs:
Government Official: Rep. George Gekas (PA) · Pray for the President · Country: Bhutan (2 million) in the eastern Himalayas of central Asia · Major languages: Tibetan and Nepalese dialects · Public worship, evangelism, and proselytization are illegal · 70% Lamaistic Buddhist; 24% Hindu; 5% Muslim; .3% Protestant/Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Trust the Lord and ask Him to direct your steps (Psalms 143:8).
Optional Reading: Acts 15
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 10:17
