Highlights:
We're given a never-ending lesson here. Like David, whenever we experience victories in life, we must never forget that Satan will tempt us to sin as he did with David. Nathan's parable and David's repentance; birth of Solomon.
Verses for Today:
David saw a woman washing herself. . . . the wife of Uriah. . . . and took her . . . and he lay with her. . . . And Nathan said to David. . . . Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the Lord? . . . Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house (II Sam. 11:2-4; 12:7-11).
David, king of Israel, had never lost a war and had grown accustomed to getting what he wanted. And it came to pass . . . at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants . . . But David tarried still at Jerusalem (11:1). Satan always has something or someone to attract us when we are in a position to relax and gratify our desires. For David, his defeat began with a look of lust at the beautiful Bathsheba. David was a man of exceptional character — a man after the Lord's own heart (I Sam. 13:14). But on this occasion, David inquired about the beautiful woman he saw bathing. He learned she was the wife of one of his very best soldiers in battle. David knew that adultery was a wicked sin against God. But instead of turning from temptation, David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her . . . and she returned unto her house ( II Sam. 11:4).
There seemingly was not one adverse circumstance from the moment David first lusted after this woman until their marriage. But, about one year later, Nathan the prophet boldly confronted David: Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? (12:9). Because of David's adultery, Nathan foretold: Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised Me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house (12:10). Deeply grieved and repentant, David confessed: I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin (12:13). Although forgiven, the next twenty years, the entire last half of his reign, until his death, David's sorrows and sufferings never ceased from that one night of yielding to his lust. Because of David's sincere repentance, as recorded in Psalm 51, God forgave him as He will anyone who truly repents and forsakes their sin, but the bitter consequences are inevitable.
Thought for Today:
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption (Gal. 6:7-8).
Christ Revealed:
In the prophet Nathan giving Solomon the name Jedidiah, which means beloved of the Lord (II Sam. 12:24-25). Christ was greatly loved by His Heavenly Father. Jesus prayed: Father . . . Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world (John 17:24).
Word Studies:
10:12 play the men =show our courage and strength; 11:1 after the year was expired =in the spring of the following year; 11:8 mess of meat =gift of food; 12:4 spared =refused; 12:11 in the sight of this sun =publicly for all Israel to know; 12:31 put them under saws =enslaved, made to work with saws.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Patricia A. Meldrum • Staff: Rita Guerra • Government Official: Rep. Laura Richardson (CA) • Country: Estonia (1.47 million) northeastern Europe • Major languages: Estonian and Russian • Religious freedom • 38.4% Protestant; 20.3% Orthodox; 1% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim; .3% Jewish; 39% non-Religious/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Realize that you are insufficient (Eph. 6:10-11).
Optional Reading: Acts 15
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:11