Day 59: 2 Samuel 12:13-23

He answered, “While the baby was alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let him live’ ” (v. 22).

Nathan delivered a harsh word concerning the child born to David and Bathsheba: “Because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die” (v. 14).

And sure enough, the prophet had hardly turned the doorknob to leave before David’s child fell ill.

David had been warned that his son would die, and still he “pleaded with God for the child” (v. 16) for seven days. David refused to eat. He spent the nights lying on the ground. When the child died, the servants were terrified. They thought David might kill himself. So they were afraid to tell him the child had died. They were stunned when David received the news. He got up, washed his face, changed clothes, and went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went home and ate.

David’s servants were mystified by his behavior. They asked him why he wept when the child was ill but worshiped when the child died. David’s reply in verses 22–23 has brought comfort to bereaved parents across the centuries.

Did David waste his time pleading with God over the life of the child? After all, God’s message through Nathan was painfully clear. Before we attempt (tomorrow) to determine whether or not David’s efforts were wasted, today let’s peek quickly at just a little of the intense intimacy David shared with God.

When he fell on his face before God, the prodigal returned home to the place he belonged. He was bankrupt in soul, demoralized, and terrified, but he was back. Too many months had passed since he had last entered the indescribable place of God’s presence, but he still recognized the Father.

Through David’s crisis, he was reminded of all he knew of God’s ways. David did not plead with God out of ignorance or naïveté but out of his intimate knowledge of Him. God does indeed hear our prayers and reserves the right to relent if the change does not compromise an eternal necessity.