Bible Pathways - April 14, 2006

April 14, 2006

Read 2 Samuel 10

In Today's Reading:

The Ammonites and Syrians defeated; Bathsheba and David; Nathan's parable and David's repentance; birth of Solomon

David, king of Israel, had never lost a war and had grown accustomed to getting what he wanted. And it came to pass, after the year was expired (in the spring), at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. . . . But David tarried still at Jerusalem (II Samuel 11:1). Satan always has something or someone to attract us when we are in a position to gratify our fleshly desires. He always presents sin as both attractive and satisfying.

For David, his spiritual defeat began with a look of lust at the beautiful Bathsheba. David knew that adultery was a wicked sin against God and was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10). And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her. . . . and she returned unto her house (II Samuel 11:4). One sin usually leads to another, to unforeseen complications as well as other evils.

From the moment David first lusted after Bathsheba until their marriage, no one interfered with their pleasure. However, about one year later, Nathan the prophet boldly confronted David: Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? (12:9). Because of David's adultery, Nathan foretold: Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised Me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun (publicly) (12:10-11). Deeply grieved and repentant, David confessed: I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die (12:13). Although forgiven, the next twenty years — the entire last half of his reign — until his death — David's sorrows and sufferings never ceased from that one night of yielding to his lust. Because of David's sincere repentance, as recorded in Psalm 51, God forgave him. But forgiveness does not remove the results of sin.

In addition to facing God on Judgment Day, no one can avoid the bitter consequences of yielding to the temptation of lust. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).

Word Studies:

10:12 play the men = show our courage; 11:1 the year was expired = in the spring of the year; 11:8 mess of meat = a gift of food from the king; 12:4 spared = refused; 12:11 in the sight of this sun = publicly for all Israel to know; 12:31 put them under saws = enslaved, made to work with saws.

Christ Revealed:

In the prophet Nathan giving Solomon the name Jedidiah which means beloved of the Lord (II Samuel 12:24-25) Christ was greatly loved by the Father. Jesus prayed: You loved Me before the foundation of the world (John 17:24).

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Staff: Rita Guerra · Country: Romania (22 million) in southeastern Europe · Major languages: Rumanian and Hungarian · Freedom of worship · 70% Eastern Orthodox; 7% Protestant; 6% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Forgive others without exception, and then ask the Lord to forgive you (Matthew 6:12).

Optional Reading: Acts 15

Memory Verse for the Week: I Samuel 15:23