May 15 (Daily reading: 2 Samuel 13-15) Nathan had told David that, as a consequence of his sin, “the sword shall never leave your house” (12:10). David saw this begin in the life of his son Amnon, who repeated the actions of his father. After committing his first sin of violating Tamar, he made it worse by despising her and sending her away, even as David made his sin worse by having Uriah killed.
Nathan’s prediction continued in the life of Absalom, who avenged the sin against Tamar by killing Amnon, and creating a conflict between David and Absalom. It is written that “Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel” (15:6). This conflict led eventually to Absalom rebelling against his father and seeking to replace him as king.
The Bible is honest in its reporting of human weaknesses. We see many principles of relationship that were broken in these stories. We will discuss only this principle: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). David had no idea that day when he looked upon Bathsheba how his actions would affect the rest of his life. David had many regrets, because both he and the kingdom had to reap what he had sown.
There was only one thing that David could do, as we read yesterday. There was no sacrifice or burnt offering that would suffice, but he knew: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17). Even as we face up to our past mistakes, we look to the future with our heart open to God’s renewed work in our lives!
– Al Gary
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