2 Samuel 10
1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 And David said, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me. So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
(David tried sending comfort to Hanun, King of Ammon. David felt like he owed Nahash for the kindness he showed to him. Like the previous chapter with Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9), David was looking to give to people.)
3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, in that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David sent his servants unto thee to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
(The princes of Ammon convinced Hanun that David was trying to overthrow them.)
4 So Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
(Hanun's perspective of David was skewed by his men. Hanun returned evil for good. David's good gesture resulted in embarrassment for David's servants. The shaving of their beards and cutting their clothes were insults of grave proportion. Since these men were servants of David, it was as if these insults were done to David himself.)
6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.
(The Ammonites knew they were in trouble. The term odious literally meant "to have a bad smell; to stink." This was representative of these men having an "evil nature." The Ammonites hired the Syrians to help them fight the Israelites. David had already conquered the Syrians (2 Samuel 8) so they may have wanted revenge on Israel and David.)
7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
(Joab was David’s General, also called "the captain of the host.")
8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
9 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
(Joab saw that he and his men were surrounded.)
(Similar to the term "select" or "elect" in the New Testament, the term "choice" referred to the quality of these men. They weren't excellent men because they were chosen, they were chosen because they were excellent men. It is easy for people to abuse the Principle of Causality here and it damages the correct interpretation of scripture:
-Cause: "choice" men
-Effect: were "chosen.")
10 And the rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
12 Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God: and Jehovah do that which seemeth him good.
(Joab presented a strategy to his brother. Joab was confident in his army. There was no plan for defeat, only a plan to attack. The only adjustment to the plan was if either Joab or Abishai needed help, the other one would come to their aide.)
(Verse 12 gave the Bible's definition for a man: They focused on the causes regardless of the effects. In fact, they left the effects to God.)
13 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
(The Syrians fled, which caused the Ammonites to flee. The Syrians were an army of mercenaries, paid to be there by the Ammonites.)
15 And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer at their head.
17 And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
(The Syrians regathered and fought against David and Israel.)
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, so that he died there.
19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
(Once again, Israel was at peace and their enemies were vanquished. Things seemed to be going perfectly for David and Israel...)
2 Samuel 11
1 And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem.
(At the time when kings went out to battle, David stayed in Jerusalem. Joab was put in charge, perhaps due to David's and Israel's circumstances being favorable.)
2 And it came to pass at eventide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David send and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
(David watched Bath-sheba wash herself and then sent for her. David was informed that Bath-sheba was married.)
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her (for she was purified from her uncleanness); and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
(The story moved along quickly. Within two verses it was recorded that David "took her," which was adultery, and Bath-sheba became pregnant and notified David. During the time between David and Bath-sheba having intercourse to when she discovered she was pregnant, it looked like there was no plan for her to get divorced or for David to marry her.)
6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
(David caused Joab to be involved in this conflict, telling him to send for Bath-sheba's husband.)
7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David asked of him how Joab did, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered.
8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of food from the king.
(David asked Uriah how the war was progressing and he specifically asked about Joab. David wanted Uriah to go home, probably so he would have intercourse with Bath-sheba.)
9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Art thou not come from a journey? wherefore didst thou not go down unto thy house?
11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in booths; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open field; shall I then go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
(Uriah did not go home because he knew he belonged with his men in battle.)
12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to-day also, and to-morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
(David got Uriah drunk and even then Uriah did not go into his house. David sent Uriah back to Joab carrying his own death sentence. Joab was aware of David’s intentions.)
16 And it came to pass, when Joab kept watch upon the city, that he assigned Uriah unto the place where he knew that valiant men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people, even of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
(More men than just Uriah died! David's decision affected many people. David used his position as king to benefit himself personally. David inflicted pain on others and attempted to cover up his adultery by murdering Uriah. Furthermore, Uriah was considered one of David's "mighty men" (2 Samuel 23:39).)
18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
19 and he charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling all the things concerning the war unto the king,
20 it shall be that, if the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore went ye so nigh unto the city to fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
21 who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast an upper millstone upon him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? why went ye so nigh the wall? then shalt thou say, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
(In his report to David regarding all the things concerning the war, Joab knew to tell David about Uriah's death. Notice, one of the women who bore pain for men in the Book of Judges was mentioned.)
22 So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David, The men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entrance of the gate.
24 And the shooters shot at thy servants from off the wall; and some of the king's servants are dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
(The messenger from Joab gave an accurate report.)
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another; make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
(David supplied the messenger with a rationalization to say to Joab. Was this really meant to make Joab feel better about this situation? Or was David trying to make himself feel better about killing Uriah, excusing it as "something that just happens in battle"?)
26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband.
27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased Jehovah.
(Bath-sheba became David's wife and she bore a son. The thing David had done displeased God because he personally benefited from his position as king and he inflicted pain upon his people.)
2 Samuel 12
1 And Jehovah sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
(God sent Nathan to David with a parable.)
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds;
3 but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
("A rich man stole a poor man's lamb.")
5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As Jehovah liveth, the man that hath done this is worthy to die:
(David was angry and said the man in the parable should be put to death.)
6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
(In addition to a death sentence, David said this man ought to have made up for the damages by following the law as recorded in Exodus 22:1 - "If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.")
7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
(Nathan directly confronted David by telling him he was the man. David had many wives and concubines, yet he coveted a man's only wife.)
8 and I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added unto thee such and such things.
(God told David that if he wanted more, God would have given it to him. Instead, David stole from another man.)
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight? thou hast smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith Jehovah, 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 neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
(Because of what David did, the sword would never depart from David, evil would be raised up in his own house, and his wives would be given to his neighbor in the sight of everyone. This was God's response through Justice.)
12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said unto David, Jehovah also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
(David immediately confessed and God's response was to put away his sin. David would not die. That was a Salvation judgment. Our Salvation doesn't depend on our lack of sin, we all sin. Our Salvation depends on our response to our sin: confession/repentance vs. rationalization/self-justification. David was a man after God's own Heart, which was what led him to immediately confess and repent. However, David’s seed from his adultery with Bath-sheba would surely die. David's confession and repentance had no effect on the sword never departing from his house, etc. That was a Reward judgment.)
15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
(David knew God said his child would die but he still sought out God and fasted for the child. David did everything he could.)
17 And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he hearkened not unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead!
(The child died. David’s servants were afraid David would become even worse.)
19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel; and he came into the house of Jehovah, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
(David found out his child died and his response was to get clean, worship God, and eat. Again, David's response to finding out he was wrong was to immediately make progress towards what was right.)
21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?
23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.
(David had an amazing understanding of God. He knew that the impact of his prayer and fasting may have changed God’s Mind. However, when the child died, David realized that judgment happened regarding his adultery and he moved forward.)
24 And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon. And Jehovah loved him;
(Solomon was born. Solomon meant "peace." Bath-sheba (an adulteress) was in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:6).)
25 and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, for Jehovah's sake.
(Jedidiah, the name given to Solomon by Nathan, meant "beloved of Jehovah." This was a prophetic name. Remember, Solomon would eventually build God's house and God's lovingkindness/mercy would never depart from Solomon. This was the only time in the Bible that Solomon was referred to as Jedidiah.)
26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah; yea, I have taken the city of waters.
28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.
(Joab was successful in war. He sent messengers to David "goading" him to come out to the battle or Joab would take all the credit himself.)
29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
30 And he took the crown of their king from off his head; and the weight thereof was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much.
31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
(David responded to Joab by joining him at the end of the fight and taking the city of Rabbah.)
(Joab continued to be an interesting man. Joab knew David had Uriah killed. Joab knew that David did not bear the pain of the battle to defeat Rabbah and that David personally benefited from both events.)
(This post covered David's committing of adultery with Bath-sheba, David's immediate confession/repentance, the destructive effects declared by God, and Solomon's birth.)
Day 92
-Cause: "choice" men
-Effect: were "chosen.")
10 And the rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
12 Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God: and Jehovah do that which seemeth him good.
(Joab presented a strategy to his brother. Joab was confident in his army. There was no plan for defeat, only a plan to attack. The only adjustment to the plan was if either Joab or Abishai needed help, the other one would come to their aide.)
(Verse 12 gave the Bible's definition for a man: They focused on the causes regardless of the effects. In fact, they left the effects to God.)
13 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
(The Syrians fled, which caused the Ammonites to flee. The Syrians were an army of mercenaries, paid to be there by the Ammonites.)
15 And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer at their head.
17 And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
(The Syrians regathered and fought against David and Israel.)
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, so that he died there.
19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
(Once again, Israel was at peace and their enemies were vanquished. Things seemed to be going perfectly for David and Israel...)
2 Samuel 11
1 And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem.
(At the time when kings went out to battle, David stayed in Jerusalem. Joab was put in charge, perhaps due to David's and Israel's circumstances being favorable.)
2 And it came to pass at eventide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David send and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
(David watched Bath-sheba wash herself and then sent for her. David was informed that Bath-sheba was married.)
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her (for she was purified from her uncleanness); and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
(The story moved along quickly. Within two verses it was recorded that David "took her," which was adultery, and Bath-sheba became pregnant and notified David. During the time between David and Bath-sheba having intercourse to when she discovered she was pregnant, it looked like there was no plan for her to get divorced or for David to marry her.)
6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
(David caused Joab to be involved in this conflict, telling him to send for Bath-sheba's husband.)
7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David asked of him how Joab did, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered.
8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of food from the king.
(David asked Uriah how the war was progressing and he specifically asked about Joab. David wanted Uriah to go home, probably so he would have intercourse with Bath-sheba.)
9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Art thou not come from a journey? wherefore didst thou not go down unto thy house?
11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in booths; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open field; shall I then go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
(Uriah did not go home because he knew he belonged with his men in battle.)
12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to-day also, and to-morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
(David got Uriah drunk and even then Uriah did not go into his house. David sent Uriah back to Joab carrying his own death sentence. Joab was aware of David’s intentions.)
16 And it came to pass, when Joab kept watch upon the city, that he assigned Uriah unto the place where he knew that valiant men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people, even of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
(More men than just Uriah died! David's decision affected many people. David used his position as king to benefit himself personally. David inflicted pain on others and attempted to cover up his adultery by murdering Uriah. Furthermore, Uriah was considered one of David's "mighty men" (2 Samuel 23:39).)
18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
19 and he charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling all the things concerning the war unto the king,
20 it shall be that, if the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore went ye so nigh unto the city to fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
21 who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast an upper millstone upon him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? why went ye so nigh the wall? then shalt thou say, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
(In his report to David regarding all the things concerning the war, Joab knew to tell David about Uriah's death. Notice, one of the women who bore pain for men in the Book of Judges was mentioned.)
22 So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David, The men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entrance of the gate.
24 And the shooters shot at thy servants from off the wall; and some of the king's servants are dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
(The messenger from Joab gave an accurate report.)
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another; make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
(David supplied the messenger with a rationalization to say to Joab. Was this really meant to make Joab feel better about this situation? Or was David trying to make himself feel better about killing Uriah, excusing it as "something that just happens in battle"?)
26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband.
27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased Jehovah.
(Bath-sheba became David's wife and she bore a son. The thing David had done displeased God because he personally benefited from his position as king and he inflicted pain upon his people.)
2 Samuel 12
1 And Jehovah sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
(God sent Nathan to David with a parable.)
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds;
3 but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
("A rich man stole a poor man's lamb.")
5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As Jehovah liveth, the man that hath done this is worthy to die:
(David was angry and said the man in the parable should be put to death.)
6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
(In addition to a death sentence, David said this man ought to have made up for the damages by following the law as recorded in Exodus 22:1 - "If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.")
7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
(Nathan directly confronted David by telling him he was the man. David had many wives and concubines, yet he coveted a man's only wife.)
8 and I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added unto thee such and such things.
(God told David that if he wanted more, God would have given it to him. Instead, David stole from another man.)
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight? thou hast smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith Jehovah, 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 neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
(Because of what David did, the sword would never depart from David, evil would be raised up in his own house, and his wives would be given to his neighbor in the sight of everyone. This was God's response through Justice.)
12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said unto David, Jehovah also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
(David immediately confessed and God's response was to put away his sin. David would not die. That was a Salvation judgment. Our Salvation doesn't depend on our lack of sin, we all sin. Our Salvation depends on our response to our sin: confession/repentance vs. rationalization/self-justification. David was a man after God's own Heart, which was what led him to immediately confess and repent. However, David’s seed from his adultery with Bath-sheba would surely die. David's confession and repentance had no effect on the sword never departing from his house, etc. That was a Reward judgment.)
15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
(David knew God said his child would die but he still sought out God and fasted for the child. David did everything he could.)
17 And the elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he hearkened not unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead!
(The child died. David’s servants were afraid David would become even worse.)
19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel; and he came into the house of Jehovah, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
(David found out his child died and his response was to get clean, worship God, and eat. Again, David's response to finding out he was wrong was to immediately make progress towards what was right.)
21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?
23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.
(David had an amazing understanding of God. He knew that the impact of his prayer and fasting may have changed God’s Mind. However, when the child died, David realized that judgment happened regarding his adultery and he moved forward.)
24 And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon. And Jehovah loved him;
(Solomon was born. Solomon meant "peace." Bath-sheba (an adulteress) was in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:6).)
25 and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, for Jehovah's sake.
(Jedidiah, the name given to Solomon by Nathan, meant "beloved of Jehovah." This was a prophetic name. Remember, Solomon would eventually build God's house and God's lovingkindness/mercy would never depart from Solomon. This was the only time in the Bible that Solomon was referred to as Jedidiah.)
26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah; yea, I have taken the city of waters.
28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.
(Joab was successful in war. He sent messengers to David "goading" him to come out to the battle or Joab would take all the credit himself.)
29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
30 And he took the crown of their king from off his head; and the weight thereof was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much.
31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
(David responded to Joab by joining him at the end of the fight and taking the city of Rabbah.)
(Joab continued to be an interesting man. Joab knew David had Uriah killed. Joab knew that David did not bear the pain of the battle to defeat Rabbah and that David personally benefited from both events.)
(This post covered David's committing of adultery with Bath-sheba, David's immediate confession/repentance, the destructive effects declared by God, and Solomon's birth.)
Day 92
10:6
ReplyDeleteInteresting that they chosen to try and reinforce themselves, to defend rather than apologize for what they did. David has responded quite well to attempts to repair an injustice.
Could they have taken the hire money for the mercenaries and given David and the servants gifts as an apology
I don't know.
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