## The Life of David - Part 13

## II Samuel 12:1-25

Last week we saw David reach the pinnacle of his career and begin his downward journey. We saw the man who was 'after God's own heart' break the heart of God by sin. David had committed adultery which led to deceit and murder, and then hypocrisy before his people and his God.

I. David's concealment was ineffective.

A. Joab knew

1. He read the orders from the king

2. He knew that it was a certified death warrant for Uriah

B. Bathsheba knew

1. Her mourning was only part of a deceitful cover-up.

2. She carried the reminder of their sin for nine months then gave birth to a son.

C. David knew

(Psalms 32:3-4) When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

1. David lived in constant awareness of his sin.

2. His life lost all enjoyment.

3. He would pay dearly for his sin and his attempt to conceal it.

D. God knew: "...but the thing that David had done displeased the Lord"

II. David's confrontation was necessary

A. The parable of Nathan (1-4)

1. He was sent by God

2. His mission was to confront the king with the truth.

3. He did it indirectly through a parable especially applicable to David - a former shepherd.

B. David's reaction (5-6)

1. It was one of anger.

2. His reaction is not unusual among backslidden people of God - they tend to overreact to sin in lives of others.

3. Unwittingly, David passed his own sentence.

C. God's Message (7-12)

1. 'Thou art the man'

a. The parable only revealed the condition of David's spirituality.

b. His reaction showed the sad state of morality.

c. A man who very calmly issued a death sentence to the husband of Bathsheba roared 'As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die'.

2. 'Thus saith the Lord God'

a. I gave you so much and would have given you more.

b. Why did you despise my commandment?

c. David started something that he could not finish.

d. Violence would never pass from his household.

e. Evil would arise from within

f. This takes place in 16:22 when Absalom takes his father's concubines.

D. David's Repentance (13)

1. 'I have sinned against the Lord.'

a. This is an extremely important statement.

b. It reveals that David finally acknowledged his sin and confessed it.

c. He realized his sin was against God not just against Uriah and Bathsheba.

2. NOTE: Psalm 32:5

(Psalms 32:5) I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

a. Here we see the Old Testament realization of I John 1:9

b. Confession of sin brings forgiveness from God.

3. NOTE: Psalm 51:1-12

a. From this Psalm we can see that, as a result of sin, David had a poor spirit.

b. He had lost the 'joy' of his salvation.

c. You cannot enjoy your relationship with the Lord if that relationship is hindered by unconfessed sin.

III. David's Consequences Were Inevitable

A. The Lord struck the child (14-15)

1. Not out of revenge, but out of mercy

2. David had given great occasion for the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.

3. God did not want the child to have to grow up with such burden to bear.

B. God said 'NO' to David again (16-19)

1. David prayed and fasted for God to spare the child.

2. However, that wasn't the will of God.

3. After seven days - the child died.

C. David accepted God's will (20-25)

1. A very important passage for those who have lost little children.

2. He was assured of a reunion in heaven.

3. With this he could comfort his wife, Bathsheba.

4. God gave them another son - this one was legitimate - he was conceived in the will of God.

5. His name was Solomon - and the Lord loved him.

There are some important lessons to be learned from this tragic event in the life of David. Sin must be confronted, but there is a right way to do it. It must be done wisely from a heart of love. Repentance and confession is a pre-requisite to God's forgiveness and a right spirit. Sin will take us farther than we mean to go - keep us longer than we want to stay - and cost us more than we are prepared to pay!