David's grief and God's plan.

I have to comment on the lives of David and Solomon before going forward. 

First of all about David, a shepherd boy, who became king after a lengthy and dangerous transition period.  David, a worshipper and a servant of God, who knew what true praise and worship could do. David, a man after God's own heart, who was acquainted with personal sin and God's forgiveness.   David, a husband, who knew about adultery and disrespect from a wife.  David, a friend, who knew about how to be a real friend.   David, a king, who was a defender of the faith and God's people.  David, a father, who knew about grief and estrangement regarding a child.

David loved Absalom perhaps to the fault of spoiling him or not providing the guidance Absalom obviously needed.  Nothing can break the heart of a parent like a child.  David's and Absalom's relationship was bumpy at best.  Can you imagine, your son rising against you to the point that he has people willing to kill you.   A son who has so little respect that he sleeps with David's wives and concubines.  David had many reasons to grieve about Absalom. The event recorded in 2 Samuel 18 is the outcome of a son filled with arrogance and selfishness.  There David waited for word of the battle between his men and Absalom's army.  The outcome for all to hear was David's heart breaking cry "O my son Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom!  If only I had died instead of you - O Absalom my son, my son!"  Yes, David knew the joy and the heartbreak of being a parent.  His hopes dashed for his son's future as king of Israel.  Absalom just wasn't willing to sumbit to God's plan and timetable.  Absalom just wanted things done his way.  Yet, God had a promise to keep to David.  God had promised that someone from David's lineage would always sit on the throne.  It makes me wonder if God knew that Absalom was not the right person for the job and that this was God's way and plan for David's and Israel's future.  The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  One thing is for sure, Absalom did not fulfill the commandment that held a promise.  Honor your father and mother fournd in Exodus 20:12 holds the blessing of a long life.

Then there is the account of David's and Bathsheba's first born child's death.  Here is David desperately seeking God for the child's life.  Psalm 51 records David's earnest petition for forgiveness of his sin which he knew could hold the penalty of death even by David's own estimation. Then Nathan shows up again in 2 Samuel 12:13 ("Nathan replied:  The Lord has taken away your sin.  You are not going to die.  But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.") Why was the son going to die??  It wasn't because of the sin of adultery and murder directly but because David had caused God's enemies reason to mock Him.  Just goes to show that to whom much is given much is required.  When God blesses us and the world sees that we are blessed of God, God holds us responsible to live our lives as holy as possible so that the world doesn't have reason to mock God because of our actions.  I can hear him praying and sobbing, begging God not to hold the child accountable for his sin.  He knows what Nathan has said but as long as the child is alive there is hope.  Can't you hear him saying " Please oh God, I have asked you forgiveness for my actions with Bathsheba and having Uri killed.  I know it was wrong and I have sinned against you.  Please, oh please dear God, don't hold my child responsible for my sins.  Oh God I know his illness is my fault due to my sin and actions but if there is some other way oh Lord....."  There was not another way.  After about 7 days of fasting and prayer, the boy dies.  David gets up washes and eats then goes to Bathsheba to comfort her.  His hope now is that he will see his son again in eternity.  Here is the most interesting outcome of the union between David and Bathsheba.  God choses their son Solomon as the next king.  God choses the son of two people who committed adultery and one of them murder.

If this isn't an example of God's grace and mercy, I don't know what would be.  If you ever are in a position where you doubt that God can forgive you; read this account.  If you are ever in a position of condemnation over a past sin: read this account.  If you ever doubt God's grace and mercy; just try to follow David's example of admission of sin, servanthood and worship.

In a couple of days, I'll post on Naaman.  I'll get caught up.  I promise.  LOL

Bon Apetit and God Bless
Jackie