2 Samuel 9-12 (By Rev. Deacon Margaret Friesen)

OBSERVATION

• David shows friendship to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth
• David lusts after Bathsheba and gets her brought to his bedchamber.
• David connives first – to cover up his sin of adultery. When that doesn’t work, he connives to get Uriah killed during battle.
• David receives and truly accepts God’s message from Nathan the prophet. David repents and is forgiven by God.

 
INTERPRETATION

• The stories found in these few chapters demonstrate both the goodness of a man (in extending friendship to Saul’s family) and the shameless evil a man perpetrated against other human beings. Perhaps David was so powerful that he thought his power justified any of his actions against other human beings. Maybe he thought himself above the law, even God’s Law.
• I think the account of David and Bathsheba and Uriah is instructive in a number of ways – When one sets out to commit a sin against another human being, it is never an isolated incident. In this case, the sin brought about the death of Bathsheba’s husband and involved David’s soldiers to commit the actual atrocity against Uriah. Doubtless other servants and companions were implicated and touched by David’s deception and murderous heart. We don’t know anything about Bathsheba’s extended family or household and how they may have been affected. We also don’t know whether Bathsheba tried to resist David’s command or accepted because she could not do otherwise and live, or even desired David’s attention.
• The story also demonstrates the mercy and lavish forgiveness of the Father God – when David repents with all his heart
• Nathan was fearless in his prophecy against David. Surely this is a lesson for us to fully and willingly obey God when we hear his instructions.

 
APPLICATION
It seems apparent that one of the applications is to Stop sinful thought before it leads to action, and or to Stop sinful action at whatever stage it is. And to repent before God (and before God’s messenger) and determine to do right from then on.
We are given assurance that God forgives, And God keeps his promises – to bring us to maturity and to fill us with the presence of God the Holy Spirit.
 
QUESTION
Reflect on your walk with God, especially during this time of Lent, and farther back – during this time of pandemic. Have you been drawn aside from the way of the cross by your own appetites or by listening to the lure of escapism? Confess your sins and be restored to Christ’s presence. Abide in Christ. Live according to the Holy Spirit’s bidding.
 
PRAYER
Lord God you have made us for yourself, to enjoy Your presence. Please forgive our tendencies to wander and keep us on the Way of the Cross.
 
Song: Come Thou Fount of every blessing  
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebelr6d8D70