II Samuel 12:15b-31
“And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.” (II Samuel 12:15b-17)
Because of the effect on others of David’s sin, God warned him, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die,” in II Samuel 12:14. When the child got sick, David lay on the ground and went without eating for days. The other leaders tried to get him to get up or at least eat something but he refused.
“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 would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead?
And they said, He is dead.” (II Samuel 12:18-19)
After seven days, the child died, and considering how David had refused to get up or eat while he was alive, The servants feared he would go into deep depression when he found out he had died, and were hesitant to tell him. David was alert and realized they weren’t telling him something and asked if the baby was dead.
“Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
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.” (II Samuel 12:20-21)
As soon as David heard the baby had died, he went down to the tabernacle and worshipped God, then went back and asked for a meal. The servants were dumbfounded. They had expected him to be even more depressed, and asked why he wasn’t.
“And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (II Samuel 12:23-24)
As David explained, his refusal to eat had not been a result to depression, but of hope that God would take pity and spare the child’s life. When the child died, he knew that was not going to happen and accepted his death as God’s will. Once the child died, it was obvious god was not going to bring him back to life so there was no further reason to keep praying for it.
At the same time, David realized that because the child had never sinned, there was nothing keeping him from going to Paradise. While the child could not come back, David could meet him in heaven one day. The child’s death would be only a temporary separation. Believing that, David had no reason to get depressed.
Because some people believe baptism is essential to go to heaven, they demand that infants be baptized. David’s statement clearly indicates that infants who die do not need baptism, but go directly to heaven.
“And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.” (II Samuel 12:24)
Fathers have no real contact with a child until he is born, but the mother has an intimate connection from the time of conception. As a result, they are far more affected by a miscarriage or death shortly after birth than fathers are. David acknowledged that fact, and took the time to allow Bathsheba to deal with it. Before long they had another son, known as Solomon.
“And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.” (II Samuel 12:25)
David called the baby Solomon or “peaceful”, but Nathan called him Jedidiah, or “beloved of God.”
“And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. 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.” (II Samuel 12:26-28)
Over a year after the seige of Rabbah began, Joab realized that their defense was about to collapse and notified David of the impending victory He recommended that David come up and lead the army into the city, so that David, rather than Joab would be credited with the victory.
“And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance. 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.
So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.” (II Samuel 12:29-31)
David led the final assault on Rabbah. When they conquered the city, David was crowned kin of the Ammonites as well, giving him all of present day Jordan and much of present day Iraq.
After the insulting treatment of his envoys who were carrying his condolences for the death of the king’s father, David was pretty aggressive in his treatment of the Ammonites, killing them in some of the most painful ways possible. When we reject friendly overtures, they may get angry about it like David did.
While David had done wrong and it caused the death of his baby, God forgave him and did not continue to punish him, enabling him to expand the kingdom.
Understanding how much land Israel once controlled, it is not hard to understand the Arab's concern about Israel's claims based on history.
“And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.” (II Samuel 12:15b-17)
Because of the effect on others of David’s sin, God warned him, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die,” in II Samuel 12:14. When the child got sick, David lay on the ground and went without eating for days. The other leaders tried to get him to get up or at least eat something but he refused.
“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 would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead?
And they said, He is dead.” (II Samuel 12:18-19)
After seven days, the child died, and considering how David had refused to get up or eat while he was alive, The servants feared he would go into deep depression when he found out he had died, and were hesitant to tell him. David was alert and realized they weren’t telling him something and asked if the baby was dead.
“Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
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.” (II Samuel 12:20-21)
As soon as David heard the baby had died, he went down to the tabernacle and worshipped God, then went back and asked for a meal. The servants were dumbfounded. They had expected him to be even more depressed, and asked why he wasn’t.
“And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (II Samuel 12:23-24)
As David explained, his refusal to eat had not been a result to depression, but of hope that God would take pity and spare the child’s life. When the child died, he knew that was not going to happen and accepted his death as God’s will. Once the child died, it was obvious god was not going to bring him back to life so there was no further reason to keep praying for it.
At the same time, David realized that because the child had never sinned, there was nothing keeping him from going to Paradise. While the child could not come back, David could meet him in heaven one day. The child’s death would be only a temporary separation. Believing that, David had no reason to get depressed.
Because some people believe baptism is essential to go to heaven, they demand that infants be baptized. David’s statement clearly indicates that infants who die do not need baptism, but go directly to heaven.
“And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.” (II Samuel 12:24)
Fathers have no real contact with a child until he is born, but the mother has an intimate connection from the time of conception. As a result, they are far more affected by a miscarriage or death shortly after birth than fathers are. David acknowledged that fact, and took the time to allow Bathsheba to deal with it. Before long they had another son, known as Solomon.
“And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.” (II Samuel 12:25)
David called the baby Solomon or “peaceful”, but Nathan called him Jedidiah, or “beloved of God.”
“And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. 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.” (II Samuel 12:26-28)
Over a year after the seige of Rabbah began, Joab realized that their defense was about to collapse and notified David of the impending victory He recommended that David come up and lead the army into the city, so that David, rather than Joab would be credited with the victory.
“And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance. 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.
So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.” (II Samuel 12:29-31)
David led the final assault on Rabbah. When they conquered the city, David was crowned kin of the Ammonites as well, giving him all of present day Jordan and much of present day Iraq.
After the insulting treatment of his envoys who were carrying his condolences for the death of the king’s father, David was pretty aggressive in his treatment of the Ammonites, killing them in some of the most painful ways possible. When we reject friendly overtures, they may get angry about it like David did.
While David had done wrong and it caused the death of his baby, God forgave him and did not continue to punish him, enabling him to expand the kingdom.
Understanding how much land Israel once controlled, it is not hard to understand the Arab's concern about Israel's claims based on history.
Interesting - important to see that even forgiven sins have consequences.
ReplyDeleteFew people seem to realize that the natural consequences of sin are not God's judgment. being forgiven for killing someone does not bring them back to life, nor does it take away a pregnancy resulting from sin. Being Justified does not mean it is like we had never done the sin, but that it has been made right with God. If we fail to understand that we may conclude that God or others have not forgiveness when they have, or may not realize the effect it has on other people.
DeleteThanks for your comment.