Just as David expands the kingdom to the borders God promised to Abraham, everything starts to fall apart. One of scripture's most powerful scenes of God reigning in power-run-amuck (2nd Samuel 12:1-7), is the moment when the Prophet Nathan confronts David's sinfulness and shouts, "You are the man!"
But, even with all the sin and consequence in this week's reading, some blessings emerge ... and I have examples.
I continue to pray for all of you.
Blessings,
Steve
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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation - Tyndale). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf
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DAVID & BATHSHEBA
THE SIN: “Should I stay or should I go?” David’s answer to this was to stay home ... when he should have been out with his army. One bad decision leads to another. Because he stayed home instead of leading his troops, he was on that rooftop where he spied Bathsheba bathing. David then “double-sins” by first having sex with Bathsheba (a woman who is not his wife) and then arranging to murder her husband, Uriah the Hittite (one of David's inner circle of fighting men!).
THE CONSEQUENCE: In addition to the death of Uriah and the everlasting shame on David for his acts, the firstborn child of David and Bathsheba dies on the 7th day of its life. Consider how this echos the judgment of God on the first Passover.
THE BLESSING: In his grief and shame, David writes Psalm 51, something that has helped people confess their own sins for millennia (Hear Keith Green sing key verses from the psalm, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD847UcRbL4
ABSALOM, ABSALOM!
THE SIN: David’s sins continue to produce terrible fruit. David has already lost one child (Bathsheba’s first baby), and then events lead to another. Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom's sister (all of them are children of David). Then, Absalom kills Amnon. David loses a second son.
THE CONSEQUENCE: Though allowed to return to Jerusalem, Absalom was exiled from David's presence for killing his half-brother. Absalom then leads a successful rebellion causing David (and all those loyal to him) to flee from Jerusalem for their lives. Eventually, Absalom is caught and killed by Joab. David mourns the death of a third son.
THE BLESSING: While running for his life, David writes Psalm 3 and Psalm 63. Many of us have turned to them in times of trouble. Portions of both are sung from hymnals, as choruses, and performed in contemporary Christian music. Hear Rich Mullins sing "Oh God, You are my God!" Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-b7TQMoZsM
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Click the following link to view six maps showing land controlled by Israel at different times in its history (including the present). The map of David's Kingdom (which stretches all the way to the Euphrates River!) matches the land as promised by God to Abraham. I found the ability to compare them very helpful in understanding some of the current conflict in that area, today. The only change since this page was first loaded is that the US now recognizes Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.
https://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/israel_hist_1973.jpg
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