God sent Nathan to reproach David's murderous act. Nathan had to execute his mission tactfully. He told David a parable (2 Samuel 12:1-4). Nathan wanted to draw out a sense of justice in the King. He succeeded.
Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die;
and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." (2 Samuel 12:5-6)
David was caught unguarded. He was not prepared for what followed --- You are the man! David had no pity on Uriah. He took Bathsheba away from Uriah. Then he had Uriah killed. Nathan's parable was already a watered down version of his sin. Poor David, he was blind to his own sins. Only now did he see clearly his own sin which was against not only Uriah, but God.
Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul;
and I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.
Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites (2 Samuel 12:7b-9).
Though God did not tell David anything about Bathsheba in particular, He had given to all the Ten Commandments and David knew them. Still, he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah. This was human drama.
Now, Nathan pronounced God's punishments.
Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.'
Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.' (2 Samuel 12:10-12)
Whether you hear it or read it, a chill will run down your spine. Actions carry consequences and consequences of the kind. Later in David's life, his children killed each other to ascend the throne.
First came Absalom, David's son, whose beautiful sister Tamar was raped by Amnon, another son of David (2 Samuel 13). He avenged on Amnon and conspired to occupy David's throne. Listening to the ill advice of Ahithophel, David's counsellor, he raped the ten concubines of David in full sight of Israel.
Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened."
So they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel (2 Samuel 16:21-22).
God does not say a single word in vain! God did not spare even the man after His heart! Should we not think thrice before we act?
Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die;
and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." (2 Samuel 12:5-6)
David was caught unguarded. He was not prepared for what followed --- You are the man! David had no pity on Uriah. He took Bathsheba away from Uriah. Then he had Uriah killed. Nathan's parable was already a watered down version of his sin. Poor David, he was blind to his own sins. Only now did he see clearly his own sin which was against not only Uriah, but God.
Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul;
and I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.
Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites (2 Samuel 12:7b-9).
Though God did not tell David anything about Bathsheba in particular, He had given to all the Ten Commandments and David knew them. Still, he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah. This was human drama.
Now, Nathan pronounced God's punishments.
Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.'
Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.' (2 Samuel 12:10-12)
Whether you hear it or read it, a chill will run down your spine. Actions carry consequences and consequences of the kind. Later in David's life, his children killed each other to ascend the throne.
First came Absalom, David's son, whose beautiful sister Tamar was raped by Amnon, another son of David (2 Samuel 13). He avenged on Amnon and conspired to occupy David's throne. Listening to the ill advice of Ahithophel, David's counsellor, he raped the ten concubines of David in full sight of Israel.
Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened."
So they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel (2 Samuel 16:21-22).
God does not say a single word in vain! God did not spare even the man after His heart! Should we not think thrice before we act?
Dear Lord, I have nothing more to say. I will offer You David's psalm in awe.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment (Psalm 51:3-4). Amen.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment (Psalm 51:3-4). Amen.
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