2 Samuel 12: 1-14

The prophet Nathan uses a creative parable to address 'the thing David had done [which] displeased the LORD' (11:27). Note the insight and wisdom of God's man Nathan in confronting David, such that David unknowingly condemns himself before Nathan even says anything about David's specific sin.

And isn't David just like us! Seeing with clarity the sins of others, and burning with anger over their clear unrighteousness, while being unaware or unwilling to see our own grievous sins. And Nathan - fearing the LORD more than the king - calls him on it...rebuking David with specificity for his evil acts. The LORD characterizes David's sins as a personal rebuke of Himself: 'you despised me' (v.10).

To His credit, God's man David doesn't offer excuses, justifications, rationalizations, or threats to the messenger when confronted with his sins. His heart...though laced with the potential for great evil...is sensitive enough to recognize his sin and confess it.

Questions: 1) Do you have a Nathan in your life...someone who loves you enough to confront you when you are wrong? Who is it? If you don't have that, how can you cultivate a deeper accountability relationship in your life? Contact the church or let me know if you would like to become part of an accountability group. 2) How do you respond when confronted with your shortcomings...with anger, defensiveness, or with a heart which knows of God's great grace and forgiveness? Read 1 John 1:8-10, and consider memorizing 1 John 1:9 if you haven't already.

2 Samuel 11 (part two)

The wisdom and creativity in leadership that God has gifted David with, is now used to concoct an increasingly desperate scheme to cover up his sin with Bathsheba. When David learns of Bathsheba's pregnancy, he brings her husband home from the front to sleep with her. Ironically, Uriah's commitment to David and the other troops lets him make the same principled stand that David had modeled in 1 Samuel 21: 4-5, and refuse to have sexual relations. 

Next, David tries to overcome Uriah's resistance by getting him drunk. When that still doesn't work, David plots with Joab to have him killed in battle...a plan that results not only in Uriah's death, but the lives of other loyal, innocent soldiers (v. 17). 

How complete is the self-deception of our hearts when we start down the path of sin!  A second look at a naked woman has now led to adultery, pregnancy, deception to cover it all up, and eventually murder and 'collateral damage'.  

Questions: 1) Reflect...where has God gifted you with talents and abilities? Are any of your areas of giftedness being used for things contrary to His purposes? 

2 Samuel 11, and a Wedding

Well, I'm off to my eldest daughter's wedding in Boston this week...so blogging will be suspended until next week (unless I get some free time :))

 

Are you shocked by David's vile behavior in this chapter, given his track record of walking so closely to God? What a picture of how every man's heart is capable of being led astray by the pleasures of sin. See the downward spiral of sin, and how each succeeding bad decision leads to a worse one: David is in a place he shouldn't be (he should be at war with the troops instead of in the palace in Jerusalem - v.1); he's looking at something he shouldn't be (a naked lady bathing - v. 2); instead of ignoring her, he obsesses about what he's seen (v. 3); instead of fleeing from this married woman, he directs his messengers to bring her back so he can commit adultery (v. 4)! 

If you think this is bad, in future entries, we'll see how the sins just keep coming - as David's adultery leads to deception and eventually, murder. A seemingly innocuous decision, where David momentarily lets his guard down, has enormous consequences for David and countless others.

Questions: 1) Read Hebrews 11: 24 -26. The Bible is nothing if not realistic...sin has a short-term pleasurable component. Why did Moses not give in to the short-term pleasure? 2) Is there any place you shouldn't be, looking at something you shouldn't be looking at...on the Internet, on TV, in magazines or movies? Ask God to empower you to say NO now through His Spirit within you, before the inevitable spiral of sin takes you down a deadly path.

2 Samuel 10

At first glance, this chapter seems to be just another story of David's successful military exploits. But, taken in conjunction with the following chapter, the Bible gives us a subtle glimpse into the path that temptation takes.

Notice that David is just busy doing his 'king thing', responding to the dishonor shown his delegation - and the amassing of Ammonite and hired gun Aramean troops - by preparing for battle. But what is missing? Remember 1 Samuel 22, 23, 30 as well as 2 Samuel 2 and 5: over and over again we are told that "David inquired of the LORD" before making leadership decisions. Here, there is no indication that David sought the LORD; instead, the text just says that David heard about the gathering troops and sent the army out. David - blessed with success in whatever he does - apparently defaults to his common sense instead of remaining dependent on the LORD's leading. 

And since the results are good, there is no immediate indication that in this act of warfare - and the decision David makes in chapter 11 to let others continue this battle without him - that temptation will soon strike at his weakest area and lay his kingdom low. See, temptation doesn't announce it's on the way. More likely, we're just busy doing our thing... maybe even enjoying some success... and living off of our past walk with the LORD rather than in a vibrant, daily relationship with Him. And like David, we are getting ready to be blindsided.

Questions: 1) Are you enjoying a fresh connectedness with the LORD every day... or are you living off of the 'fumes' of previous experiences with Him? Stop right now and reaffirm your desire to "inquire of Him" always.

2 Samuel 9 - the Gospel in the Old Testament

Out of his great love for his late friend Jonathan, David asks if there is anyone to whom he can show grace. The lame son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth (meh-FIBB-o-sheth), is the sole remaining heir (see 2 Samuel 4:4). Rather than dispatch this last remaining, feeble threat to his monarchy, David instead showers him with kindness, as if he were one of David's own sons.

Jerry Bridges, in his great book Transforming Grace, points to this episode as a picture of the gospel for us today. Like Mephibosheth, we are unable to do anything for ourselves. We want to set up our own kingdom, but instead of wiping out this feeble threat to His Kingdom, Christ has made it possible for us - in God's grace - to sit and eat at the King's table with Him! Note also that in v.13, the text repeats itself...telling us again that Mephibosheth always ate at the King's table, and that he was lame in both feet. It's a reminder that we are in need of God's continuous grace - we stay 'lame' and in need of His goodness all our lives.

Question: 1) Read Ephesians 2: 6-7. Where are we seated now? In order that God might show what?

Good Article

Men-
A change of pace...good article on our role in family vacations:

FamilyVacations

2 Samuel 8

The borders of Israel, David's kingdom, now expand well beyond those established by his predecessor Saul. In case we missed it, the text tells us twice why that is (v. 6; v. 14): 'the LORD gave David victory wherever he went'.

David shows that he understood that principle, as he dedicated to the LORD all the silver and gold and bronze that were plundered in battle. David knows that it's not his prowess, wisdom, strength, or wealth that are providing the victories he is enjoying, and he acts accordingly. Once he gets that part straight in his heart, 'doing what is just and right for his people' (v. 15) follows logically.

Questions: 1) Are you giving honor to God for the victories you are enjoying personally or professionally, or are you (even subtly) becoming proud over what you think you have done? 2) Read Psalm 72. Apparently David's son Solomon (more on him later) learned David's lessons about wise leadership of the people. What are your sons and daughters learning from your example?