Reaping The Consequences of Sin

II Samuel 12:13b-15 tells us, “And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.  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.  And Nathan departed unto his house.”  While God had forgiven David’s sin, ignoring it would imply God approved of what he had done.  The baby would die immediately, as a sign of God’s displeasure. 

The prophecy came true immediately, in II Samuel 12:15b-18.  “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.  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?”

Knowing it was his fault the baby was dying, David was overcome with grief, refusing to eat anything or leave the baby’s side.   Seeing how upset he was the servant were afraid to tell him the baby had died for fear of sending him over the edge.  They were shocked by his reaction on learning of the baby’s death in II Samuel 12:19-21.  “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.

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.”

David explained that as long as the baby lived there was hope God would change his mind, but when the baby died that hope ended, and ther was no reason to keep trying to chang his mind, in II Samuel 12:22-23.  “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.”  While there was no hope of the child coming back to this life, David could look forward to seeing him in eternity, even though he had not lived long enough to go through the dedication ceremony.  Taking comfort from that assurance, there was no reason to continue to pray for his soul. 

The loss of a baby either draws the parnts closer to each other or drives them apart if they begin to blame each other.  David and Bathsheba drew closer together, and had another son, according to II Samuel 12:24-25.  “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.  And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.”  God did not continue to punish him for that sin.  

After more than a year fighting the Ammonites, it became apparent the city of Rabbah was about to fall.  Joab advised David to lead the final drive so the focus would be on David winning the victory, and the scandal over Bathsheba would be forgotten, in II Samuel 12:26-31.  “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.

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.”

The Ammonite leaders were executed, as were the people who continued to resist in the other Ammonite cities.