2 Samuel 10 - 14

David Sins

Note: This is posted one day late.

Like all humans, David was not perfect.  He was blessed. He relied on the Lord and followed His leading and obeyed His commands. David was fair with his people and ruthless to his enemies.  Because of his desire towards God and the love of his people, he increased in power and wealth, subduing all the surrounding kingdoms. Yet, David was a man subject to the passions of fallen man.

While on the roof of his palace one afternoon, he observes a beautiful woman, Bathsheba, bathing and succumbs to lust. In spite of the fact that she was married to one of David's loyal soldiers, Uriah, David takes her and she becomes pregnant. When David finds out, instead of confessing his sin and making things right, he, through treachery, has Uriah placed in the heat of the battle and Uriah is killed. After this, the prophet Nathan visits David and reveals that God has told him of David's great sin. This brings about a curse on David and his family and sets up years of turmoil, deceit, and pain within his family and the nation of Israel.

While it is true that the first child born of David and Bathsheba dies shortly after birth, the union of David and Bathsheba brings Solomon - a person who will play a critical role in the history of Israel.  But, before Solomon's great reign of peace, David's family experience major heartbreak.  His sons Absalom and Amnon get locked in a deadly battle of vengeance when Amnon rapes Tamar, the sister of Absalom.  This horrid act and Absalom's revenge killing sets up a future rebellion by Absalom whereby David has to flee for his life.

In our lives we live in the blessings of God, yet we must constantly guard against the temptations of sin. This is why the baptism of the Holy Spirit is so critical to a Christian's life. Without His spirit we are no match for the Devil and his temptations. Only through prayer and the indwelling of God's spirit do we even have a chance of making it.  Like David, good intentions and success are no guarantee against failure and sin. Also like David, many times one mistake can lead to multiple and dire consequences with long lasting results.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.