2 Samuel 15 "To Fight or Not to Fight"

A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.” Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom.” (vv.13-14)

David, upon receiving the news that Absalom had conspired against him and was ready to attack Jerusalem, found himself in a dilemma. He could stay in Jerusalem, arm his soliders and fight against his own son or, flee. We read here that David ordered everyone to flee the city. He knew that if they stayed Absalom would overtake it and bring ruin to the entire city (v.14).

Backing down is not always easy because our pride gets in the way. However, it is just as courageous to back down for the sake of others as it is to stand and fight. Proverbs 16:18 says, “a prideful heart always leads to destruction.” What is there to prove if we lose everything in the process?

Just as David wisely counted the cost associated with standing and fighting (in Jerusalem, the holy city, where the ark rested, against his son), we must do the same. Choose your battles wisely. There is a time to fight and a time to back down for the sake of others. Save the fight for another day.

The Truth

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven..” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

2 Samuel 14 "Lost Opportunities"

“For we shall surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.” (v.14)

Here the wise woman from Tekoa was reminding David of the finality the potential death of Absalom would bring. She was warning him that if the bitterness and lack of communication continued between them and either of them died, then David would never be able to rectify the problem. Like water spilled on the ground, one can’t gather it up again.

This reminds us to settle our own family issues quickly and not allow lost opportunities to slip past us. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 18, we are to go to that person and make things right. And as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from us with all speed. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven us” (vv.31-32).

God wants his children to reconcile, not carry bitterness in our hearts to the grave. Therefore, make the most of your opportunities while you can and choose to live in love and forgiveness, not just with family, but with all men as much as possible.

The Truth

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

2 Samuel 13 Amnon and Tamar"

“After this (the capture of Rabbah) Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.” (v.1)

In 1974, the song “Cats in the Cradle” was a #1 Billboard hit. It spoke of a young boy who grew up vowing to be like his father. Unfortunately, the father never had time for his young son, and eventually the roles are reversed. The grown son now has no time for his father and the song ends with the haunting words: “And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me / He’d grown up just like me / My boy was just like me.”

This theme of the son becoming like the father is portrayed vividly in today’s reading, as David’s sins of lust, adultery, deceit, and murder are now played out in even darker ways by his own sons. David himself is portrayed as a weak and ineffective father who saw sin but did nothing about it, despite his apparent fury.

As a parent or grandparent, understand that your actions, or the lack of them, have consequences. Therefore, seek the LORD’s guidance for how to leave a legacy of godliness to your family, as we do not want to instill expectations that seem to excuse sin. We can not say one thing and yet do another. Be that life example and walk your talk.

For David, all this can be laid at his feet as a consequence of his sin with Bathsheba and reveals the outward manifestation of God’s promised judgment on David and his house (2 Samuel 12:10). If patterns of generational sin have plagued your house, ask the LORD for His grace and deliverance.

The Truth

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

2 Samuel 12 "David Forgiven"

Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin.” (v.13)

There's a story about a boy whose father pounded a nail in the barn door every time the boy did something wrong. Soon there were many nails. Then one day the boy accepted Christ as Savior and began living for Him. To impress upon his son the wonder of being forgiven, the father took him to the barn and pulled out every nail from the door. "That is what it means to have all your sins forgiven," he said. "They are gone forever."

The boy was deeply impressed. Then looking at the door he asked, "But Father, how can I get rid of the holes?" "I'm sorry," said the father, "but they will remain."

All sin carries a price tag. Its consequences may range from minor to major, but the bill always comesdue. The psalmist David paid dearly for committing adultery with Bathsheba and engineering her husband's death to cover up his sin. Guilt sapped his strength (Ps. 32:3-4). Even though he confessed his sin, and God "removed the nail," David carried with him a deep sorrow (vv.15-17).

Even though we have to live with the consequences of sin, we who trust in Christ (as the sacrifice for our sins), can rejoice in His forgiveness.

The Truth

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

2 Samuel 11 "David Displeased the LORD"

 “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (v.27b)

Here in chapter 11 we have the story of David and Bathsheba. The reminder that a beautiful women can arouse desires even in the best of men – intentionally or unintentionally. I’m sure bathing on her roof top Bathsheba never thought that David was watching her. She probably did this many times, especially in the summer months. However, whether unintentional or not, men are weak when it comes to beauty and must fight hard against the desire to engage in some way.

Scripture tells us that David saw her bathing, that she was very beautiful to behold, and  that he inquired about her (vv.2-3). Had David stopped right here he could have saved himself from additional sin, Bathsheba from the loss of her husband and her child, and Uriah’s life. He still would have been guilty of his lustful desires, but that sin would have been contained with him and the eventual consequences to others contained.  

David’s sin was displeasing to the LORD not just because his initial transgression, but for everything that followed it as a result. Later when David is confronted by Nathan the priest through a parable concerning his secret sins, he confesses his wrong doings and both askes and receives forgiveness. However, the consequences of his actions did not change and he had to live with those results the rest of his life.

There’s an old saying, “if you play with fire, you’re going to get burned.” If you are toying with some secret sin, let it go now! Give it to God. Ask for His forgiveness before you sin hurts both yourself and others.

The Truth

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from my secret faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.” (Psalm 19:12-13)