Rape, Incest, Revenge and Murder: The Aftermath Continues

Chapter 13 is a twisted tale. It's dark, depressing, and tragis. An image of a dead tree on a lifeless hill on a cloudy day comes to mind. David's son, Amnon, falls in love with his half-sister, Tamar, daughter of Absalom. Amnon tricks her to try and sleep with her. She refuses. He rapes her and sends her away in shame. Absalom hears of his sister's rape and seeks revenge against his brother. Two years later, Absalom invites all of David's sons to a party. He gets Amnon drunk and murders him. Word gets back to David that all his sons were killed. But later David is told that only Amnon is dead. Not only is David's son murdered, it is at the hands of another of David's sons. David's heart is broken for Amnon and later for Absalom. IN effect, David loses Amnon to death, and Absalom to his crime.

What a sordid mess?! I've heard of some messed up families, but this is rediculous! God's word through Nathan was coming to pass. As a result of David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, calamity would come to David from his own household. (2 Samuel 12:11) Amnon's actions of deception and lust sound familiar, huh? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Sin is so destructive. We must run from it! The wages of sin is DEATH! Sin is the seed of death. When we sow sinful seeds, death erupts from the soil and extinguishes everything around it! Families die, marriages die, friendships die, joy dies, love dies, peace dies, trust dies, and on and on.

This part of 2 Samuel vividly depicts the wages of David's sin. Yes, David was forgiven. Yes, God gave him a new start. But the consequences of sin, its ripple effects still exist as a stark reminder that sin is nothing to play with.

But thank God He took a dead tree, on a lifeless hill, on a cloudy day and gave us life through Jesus Christ!

Oh Father, help me to run from sin! Anything apart from you is sin. Let me draw closer to You and stay in Your Word that I might not sin against You!

The Humility of Joab or the Sharpie? (2 Samuel 12:26-31)

The end of chapter 12 abruptly transitions to a quick account of the humility of Joab. Joab is David's right hand man. He's the 4-star general of the Israeli armies. He's been extremely successful in his military campaigns. And it would be easy for Joab to let that go to his head. It wouldn't be the first time a military general started a coup against the king or president. The temptation could be overwhelming considering David's recent struggles. We don't know much about Joab's relationship to God, but if it is any way reflective of how he deals with King David, I'd say he was in good shape.

Joab and his army went up against the city of Rammah of the Ammonites, an enemy and thorn in the side of Israel. (remember how the Israelites failed to completely wipe out certain peoples in Canaan when they first entered the Promise Land?) Joab was successful in capturing the guards of the water supply to the city and besieged it. Without water and no way to go to and from their city, the Ammonites were eventually going to be weakened and overtaken. While the armies of Israel waited for the fighting men within the city walls to weaken from hunger and thirst, Joab sends a messenger to David. The messenger tells David the good news and extends Joab's offer for David to come out to battle to get the credit and glory of victory.

It would have been easy for Joab to finish the job and ride home the conqueror receiving the praises of his people. The credit for such a victory would only solidify his own power base and diminish David's. Of course, we know if Joab had tried a coup he would have been squashed because God would not allow David to lose His throne. But the point is Joab resisted the temptation to "take the glory lap" and allowed David to get the credit.

In today's society of me, myself, and I, it's refreshing to read this short account of Joab. How often do we see football players when they score a touchdown pound their chest or perform some dramatic gesture that serves to bring attention upon that player instead of the team? I mean, grabbing a sharpie pen and autographing a football after a touchdown in the end zone? C'mon! Or what about the way we act at work? Do we insist on credit and praise as our primary objective? Can we find some satisfaction in letting someone else get the spotlight for a change, even if behind the curtain, it was you doing the work? It's hard to do. But it builds humility and tears down pride. I need to try it sometime. Actually, I need to practice it.

The Eraser - 2 Samuel 12:24-25

This chapter is RICH in showing the truth concerning sin, revelation, repentance, forgiveness, and restitution. That is why I am moving so slowly almost verse to verse. Some chapters can be covered in one post. But this one, this chapter is amazing!

Verses 24-25 reveal a profound truth about God's forgiveness after true repentance. Although David and Bathsheba began their relationship in detestable sin, they are seen in God's eyes as husband and wife with a new beginning. It is as if the past had never happened! "Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba and he went to her and lay with her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. And the Lord LOVED him." (Verse 24) The Lord loved him??? Wait a minute, did anyone just read about the affair and murder? Did not God punish David by causing his first child with Bathsheba to die? So why does God love Solomon? Why does the bible speak so easily about Bathsheba being David's wife? The answer: God forgives COMPLETELY! Not only does He forgive, He refuses to remember our past sins!! "For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more." Jeremiah 31:34. Yes, there is consequences for our sin. Chastisement will happen and praise God for it. But, God doesn't hold our sin against us for the rest of our lives. We can move on from where our sinful choices have brought us. God will make all things, including our sin, work for our good.

Divorce is sin. God hates it. And it is so prevelent in our society. I myself have experienced it as so many other have. It's painful, destructive and a rebellion against God's plan. BUT, for those who remarry and are unsure of whether God honors their second, third or even fourth marriage, look at David and Bathsheba. They started in an extramarital affair! David murdered her husband for goodness sake! Yet, becuase David was truly repentent, when David takes Bathsheba to be his wife, God honored their union and loves and blesses their son Solomon. I believe God chose to bless Solomon to show us how complete His forgiveness truly is. God sees David, Bathsheba, and Solomon as if the past never happened. It's been erased, to be remembered no more!

This may be hard for some of us to swallow. Maybe it's because we have yet to learn what it is to truly forgive someone else. Maybe it's because we cannot find a way to forgive ourselves. Whatever sin you have committed in your past, no matter how shameful and evil it may have been, God forgives COMPLETELY. Just look at David. Look at Paul the Apostle. Paul called himself the chief among sinners, yet God completely forgave HIM. But it doesn't stop there. Not only does He forgive, He sees you as if your sin never happened!!! Do you know how freeing that concept is?? Do you see the freedom God's grace can bring?

Repent, turn away from your sin, ask for forgiveness, and you WILL be COMPLETELY forgiven! But expect a spanking. That's a good thing. Then watch as God can use you as if the past had never happened!! Praise God!

Have a wonderful day!! Walk in His forgiveness today, ok?

God's Peace for David - 2 Samuel 12:15-23

Bathsheba's child fathered by David is struck with a deadly illness by God as punishment for David and Bathsheba's sin. While the child is still alive, David lays in the dirt fasting and praying for God to heal his child. But even though David's repentence and God's forgiveness was complete, the wages of sin must be paid. While all his servants watch David agonize with God, David never gives up hope that God may heal his child. And when the dreaded day arrives when David is informed that his child is indeed dead, David's reaction shocks those around him. David arises from the dirt, cleaned himself up, and went directly to the house of the Lord to worship! And then he went home and had a huge meal. Where was the mourning? Why did he seem at such peace?

David simply trusted in God and accepted God's judgment. And God gave him a peace that surpasseth all understanding! (Phil. 4:7) Wow! It's amazing how God's peace exhibited in our lives can be such that it would confound those around us!

Another interesting doctrinal verse I see here is verse 23. David says, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me." This is in response to the question of why he was acting so strangely peaceful. This verse seems to support the doctrinal belief that unborn babies and infants that die before they are accountable to discern between right and wrong go to Heaven. David makes this statement confident in the fact that he will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23) So, his statement does suggest that he will go to be with the child in the house of the Lord. Another view may suggest that David is simply referring to death here. But I believe the strong use of the verb "go to" suggests more than a poetic reference to death. And I know all the scriptures that refer to being sinful from birth. But I believe those scriptures refer to our sinful nature, not committing accountable sins as an infant when that infant does not know right from wrong. Adam and Eve were not held accountable until they knew what God expected of them. They were specifically commanded not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They had to first understand what God commanded. That is a basic precept of Justice. Justice that is a basic characteristic of God. Would a just God send an aborted baby to hell? What possible sin could an unborn baby commit? Regardless, it's something to study further and see what other commentators say about this passage. And I suggest others do the same. Always know what you believe and be able to support it with scripture. (i.e. Jesus said unless you become like one of these (a child) you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven) Doctrine is vital to your walk with Christ. We will not always agree on some things. And that is ok. But at least have a stance.

Oh, one other thought. If you believe that babies go to hell simply because they were born into sin and are not saved. Answer this: Can a baby believe in Christ? Can they recognze their own sin and repent? Of course not! So, in effect, it's a race to the age when a child can understand their sinfullness and be saved! If they die before that time, they go to hell! That's almost a rediculous position doctrinally to take. God never operates like that in scripture.

Ok, that was a little off the main topic, but not really. Maybe David's peace also came in his confidence in God's justice and salvation for that child. But bottom line: God gives us peace that surpasses all understanding when we trust in His goodness, mercy, and justice. Trust God. He is righteous, just, holy, and good!

Do We Hate God? - 2 Samuel 12: 1-13

The end of chapter 11 makes it clear the God was displeased with David. Yet, chapter 12 is a truly wonderful picture of God's love for him in the face of David's hatred towards God. God sends Nathan, His prophet, to confront the king. Nathan uses a parable about a rich man who takes the poor man's one treasured ewe lamb to feed a hungry traveler. David is filled with righteous indignation at this rich man! He cries out for justice! He's probably ready to send out his own guard to capture this man and bring him to justice when Nathan boldly says, "You are the rich man!" Through Nathan, God reminds David of all that He had given him and yet David was not satisfied. God says, "You DESPISED me". Wow! How could this be? David loved God! He fellowshipped with Him in the fields as a shepherd. He wrote songs of praises to the Lord. Yet, God says that David despised Him.

When I think of the word "despised", I equate it with "hatred". God tells David that his actions, his sin, showed hatred towards God. The converse is seen in John 14:15 when Jesus says, "If you love me you will obey what I command." When we disobey, we show hatred towards God. That is exactly what God tells David here in chapter 12. "But I don't hate God!", I protest. I'm a christian! I love Jesus! But the Holy Spirit whispers in response, "Oh, but there is a part of you called 'sinful nature' that does in fact hate Me." When I see it that way, I get angry! Good! I should stay angry at my flesh! As Paul teaches, we are in a constant battle with our flesh! I must crucify it daily for my sinful nature is the enemy of God. And when I give in to it, my actions or inactions show hatred of my loving Lord. Hard to accept, but true.

But look and see what happens when David sees himself as that rich man...exposed, naked in his sin. David says, "I have sinned against the Lord." He REPENTS! He doesn't make excuses. He stops trying to deceive. He simply acknowledges his sin "against" the Lord, his acts of rebellion and hatred of God. Then, LOOK, LOOK! What is God's response? "The Lord has taken away your sin." HALLELUJAH! God erased David's sin! David deserved both physical and spiritual death, BUT GOD promises he would not die. Immediate repentence brings immediate forgiveness! Praise the Lord! Oh how gracious is our God, how merciful He is towards us!

I also believe this is why God chose David and rejected Saul to be the eternal kingdom from which would come the messiah, Jesus Christ. Certainly, there is room for theological debate on this point. But there is undeniably a clear distinction between Saul and David. While they both sinned against the Lord and both were confronted by God concerning their sin, David repented immediately but Saul made excuses and tried to rationalize his actions (See 1 Samuel 13:13).

Nevertheless, how relieved must David have been to hear those words, "The Lord has taken away your sin." In spite of the hatred shown towards God, David is forgiven! The same goes for us today. Never forget. God...responds....to....repentence. He loves a repentent heart. His mercy searches for a repentent heart. Count it a blessing when our sin is exposed. Take ownership of it. And be at God's mercy. It never fails. It is constant and everflowing.

But with all sin, consequences do follow. Chastisement must occur for us to grow and learn. A spanking is not a bad thing. It's one of the greatest expressions of love. And over the next several chapters, we will see just how hard David gets spanked. It's not a pretty thing. But I can say with assurance, David would gladly take the consequences and chastisement to come ten fold over, than face eternal separation from God. A separation that we all deserve.

Father, expose every sin in my life. Let me clearly see my shortcomings and faults. I have sinned against you. And I am so sorry. Forgive me in the name of Jesus. Let me accept your loving discipline with understanding.

Blood on His Hands - 2 Samuel 11:14-27

We now see in the last part of this dark chapter in David's life the end result of compounded sin. In David's sinful, sick and twisted thinking, he orders his 4-star general Joab to send Uriah to the front lines. David further tells Joab to place Uriah in the most dangerous and vulnerable of positions and then abandon him so that he would be killed. As far as we know, Uriah never offended the king or broke any law. In fact, he was completely loyal to David and his fellow soldiers. This was nothing less than a cold-blooded first degree conspiracy to commit murder. And David was the orchestrator of it all - the same little sheperd boy who had faithfully slayed Goliath, the same young man who wrote and sang praises to God to try and calm Saul's evil spirit, the same man who had remembered his covenant with Jonathan and showed Christ-like kindness and mercy to Mephibosheth. His heart was so hard that when Joab sends word back that Uriah is dead and he explains why other men had to be unreasonably placed in harms way for this plot to work, David responds, "Don't let this upset you, the sword devours one as well as another." Are you kidding me? David shows no remorse even for the others who were caught in the crossfire of David's evil plan! In the same manner that an agressive cancer can quickly take a perfectly healthy person to the brink of death, so too can sin quickly infest the same heart that was once a mirror of God's!

I wish I had some happy spin to this part of David's story. No joke or clever quip comes to mind to make us laugh. But sin is no laughing matter. The destruction it brings is very real. David, Bathsheba, Joab, and Uriah are not just biblical characters we hear about in church. They were very real human beings. And the sin that so easily beset David, can rear its ugly head in our lives. Whether it be laziness, complacency, pride, arrogance, adultery, lust, deception, manipulation, or even murder, we are all susceptible to sin. And none of us are immune from it's concequences. David was God's anointed, the ancestor of Christ, a man after God's own heart. Yet, the coming chapters will clearly demonstrate to all believers that we are not immune from sin's deadly consequences just because we are saved. While our souls are eternally secure, sin can and will destroy our lives if we allow it to fester in our hearts.**

A dance with sin will only leave blood on your hands.

**(The last few statements implies that I believe David was saved during this dark time in his life - Hebrews 11 mentions David's faith, amojng others, which was accounted to them as righteousness. But that more deep theological discussion is reserved for another day)

As David's World Turns - 2 Samuel 11:6-12

David gives into his fleshly desires and gets Bathsheba pregnant. The darkest days of David's life would find their genesis in this one decision. But does he confess his sin and seek forgivess at this point? No. He devises a plan of manipulation and deception to cover up his sin. He heeps more sin on top of sin to try and "fix" his predicament.

But what I find odd about this part of David's story is why didn't he just tell Uriah the truth? David is king after all. What could Uriah do to him? What was David afraid of? I'm not sure I know the answer to this. It is something I will look into a little deeper at another time. For now, it's enough to know that David only compounds his problems by resorting to encouraging Uriah to go home and have sex with Bathsheba so Uriah will think the baby is his. This sounds like some stupid soap opera, huh?

But it gets better! (or worse if you're David) Here's Uriah. He's assuredly fatigued from battle. I'm sure there is a part of him who would love to spend even one night in his own bed with his beautiful wife. He would love to be able to eat a home cooked meal, watch some football, and take a nice long bath. And the king has excused him from his military duties to do just that! David even sends a gift home with Uriah probably consisting of all sorts of wine, smelly candles, chocolate and maybe even a four piece jazz ensemble to get them in the mood. But what does Uriah do? He demonstrates his loyalty to his fellow comrades in the field and his king. He refuses to go home to pamper himself while his brothers fight. He would rather sleep at the entrace to the palace with the smelly servants than endulge in his own pleasure. Oh, the coals that Uriah unknowingly heeped on David's heart!

So who appears to have the heart of God at this point? How sad for David. How far he has strayed from his first love. He now looks on Uriah with hatred because Uriah is showing him the man David used to be! But instead of bringing David to his knees, Uriah's loyalty and selflessness only enrages David the more.

How often do we find ourselves blind to our own sin or unwilling to face the truth of our trespasses? So many times one flake of sin becomes an avalanche. With David, his seemingly insignificant disobedience in staying home from batttle leads to murder. Why? Because he forgot to Whom he belonged. He stupidly rationalized that somehow he could cover up his original sin. I can remember being told as a child by my mother and grandfather, "Tim, be sure your sins will find you out." - Numbers 32:23. And how that truth has been evident in my life! Luke 8:17 says, what you do in secret will come to light. There is nothing hidden from our God. So don't try and hide it! We all sin! When it happens, fess up, don't cover up. Because while the world may seem to successfully avoid disclosure, we as believers cannot escape it. We should not WANT to escape it! Praise God that He exposes us! Praise God He chastises us! That means He loves us!

Ok, so I'm getting a little ahead of myself here. But I could't help it. Bottom line for today, I need to nip my sin in the bud when I fail. Manipulation and deception is no response to our sin. Let me not be so stupid as to think I can hide anything from God or His people.

Father, remove all rationalization for sin in my life. Expose my sin so that I can confess and repent, not manipulate and deceive myself and others I love. And thank You for loving me enough to spank me. It may hurt and I won't like it. But when I mature, I will look back and see Your love all over me!

David's Wandering - 2 Samuel 11: 1-5

In the life of David, we arrive at arguably the most pivital moment. The infamous account of David and Bathsheba. Even those who know little about the bible have likely heard some reference to this story. The first word that comes to mind when these two names are said together is usually adultery, the next, murder. Only 2 chapters earlier, we marveled at David's forgiveness and integrity when it came to Mephibosheth. We were filled with wonder at how God revealed His plan of salvation through David's actions toward Mephibosheth. If I had only heard of David for the first time, I would actually have been rather shocked to see what he does in this chapter. He shirks from his duties as king, he lusts after a married woman, he commits adultery, he tries to use deceipt to cover up his sin, and finally he resorts to murder. Where did the man after God's own heart go? I chose to break this chapter down into smaller parts due to the importance of understanding David's failure.

What do we see in the first five verses? One, David decides to ignore his God-given responsibilities as king of Israel and stays home from battle. I am not sure if his decision was based on just plain laziness, self-preservation, complacency, or pride (thinking he was too good to go to battle). But whatever the motivation, he stopped doing what God had anointed him to do - be the leader of His people. When we stop doing what God has called us to do, we similarly set ourselves up for temptation and failure. It's like playing football. If a player during the course of a game gets tired and decides to "take a few plays off" as coaches like to say, it's during those plays that the player is more likely to become injured. He lets his guard down, he's not paying attention to the threats around him, and when he falls, he usually doesn't see it coming.

Secondly, David's mind becomes restless and begins to stray towards fleshly things. We see him pacing his rooftop in the middle of the night. He can't sleep. He's probably bored out of his mind now that he no longer is active. What better time for Satan to entice the eyes? (He's good at that...remember the Garden?) Bathsheba was very beautiful and she was naked. Maybe David looked away at first. But his spiritual weakness was no match for his restless mind and powerful fleshly desires. His own sinful practice of polygamy showed he did not properly respect the sanctity of marriage. And a sense of entitelment may have crept into his soul with the power that comes with being king. He has Bathsheba brought to him with full knowledge that she is a married woman. He has sex with her and she becomes pregnant. David what have you done?

Unfortunately, David's sin with Bathsheba is a common cycle. We stop being productive in the things of God (stop going to church, praying, reading our bibles, sharing the gospel, meeting others needs, showing love to our spouces, ignoring our children, etc.), we get comfortable and lazy, our minds start to wander to fulfilling the flesh, we get restless, sin becomes so attractive, and we give in.

So how do we avoid self-destruction? Proverbs 3:6 says in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths. To me, the converse of this verse is if I'm doing something, no matter what it is, and I cannot acknowledge God in it, I should not be doing it. And that means EVERYTHING we do. If I go to a sporting event or movie, if I can't say "thank you God for allowing me to have some fun at this game or movie", I shouldn't be there. It's when I do things that I would rather hide from my Father, that I get into trouble.

Be careful that you don't fall into the trap of compartmentalizing God in your life. He's not just there for church stuff. He's there for ALL your daily activities, regardless of how mundane, unchurchy or trivial they may be. When we include Him in all things, the intimacy with Jesus grows even stronger. He DOES sweat the small stuff! Let Him be a part of every stupid detail of your life! When that happends, you leave no room for Satan to operate!

Beware of Wormtongue! - 2 Samuel 10

I am amazed that this is my 29th post on this blog and only my first Lord of the Rings reference. I love the trilogy and the biblical allusions within the Tolkien story. But I digress.

As I read chapter 10, I see what can happen when a leader is given bad advice. I think back to the Lord of the Rings - Return of the King. Remember poor Theoden, the King of Gondor? His advisor, Wormtongue, had King Theoden under his spell. Wormtongue constantly whispered harmful words and advice to the King. He had the ear of Theoden. And as a result, Gondor was growing weak and encapable of fighting the forces of Mordor. Wormtongue's bad advice was destroying Gondor.

In chapter 10, we find Nahash, King of Ammnon, has passed away. David apparently had good diplomatic relations with King Nahash. And in a gesture to Nahash's son, Hanun, David sends a delegation to offer his condolences. But just as King Theoden unwisely listened to Wormtongue, King Hanun heeds the bad advice of his noblemen. King Hanun is told that David is really sending spies to find the city's weaknesses to destroy it. Apparently, King Hanun had surrounded himself with the wrong people. I'm sure there were older men who had served his father that could confirm King David's strong relationship with the late King Nahash. But instead, young King Hanun chooses to listen to the wrong crowd. This bad advice leads King Hanun to humiliate David's delegation and sparks an unnnessary war.

Moral of the story? Be careful to whom you listen for words of advice. This is even more important when you are in a place of leadership - whether that be in the home, at work, at church, in government, or in your community. Let's face it. We all need words of advice at certain times of decision. But the wrong word of advice is just as dangerous as seeking no advice. Always test the advisor. Who is that person? Is he or she someone with integrity? What is their motivation? Do they have a dog in the fight? Is there an axe to grind? Does the advice line up with the Word of God? These are just some of the questions we must ask ourselves when someone (even a close friend) offers us "words of wisdom".

Be on the lookout for Wormtongue! He's a liar. He whispers in your ear words that may seem appealing to you at the time. Wormtongue is not just a movie character. He's very real. He's the father of lies. He comes in many different forms and persons. And he seeks to destroy everything that is of God.

Father, give me wisdom to discern when Satan comes to lie to me. Help me to recognize good counsel. And let me not be prideful when good counsel conflicts with my own desires and presumptions.