By Mary Fairchild
1581 Bunting Clover Leaf Map; Israel in the center.
2 SAMUEL 6-10
WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE: ROMANS 8:28, 31
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
2 SAMUEL 6-10—THE DAVIDIC KINGDOM ESTABLISHED. The Ark had been in the house of Abinadab for 20 years (1 Sam. 7:1).
DAVID ESTABLISHED JERUSALEM AS THE CAPITAL OF THE NATION and he wanted the Ark, the symbol of God’s presence, there.
As they proceeded back with the Ark being pulled by oxen, one of the oxen stumbled and when Uzzah, one of the sons of Abinadab reached out to steady it with his hand he fell to the ground dead. In Exodus 37(27,28) God’s direction for transporting the Ark says that the Ark was to be carried with two poles of shittim wood overlaid with gold, to be run through two rings on each side of the Ark and on the shoulders of the men of the tribe of Levi. In their zeal, the people of Israel did not follow God’s directions. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL TO OBEY GOD (Eph. 5:15-17).
David danced like a child displaying gratitude before the Lord but his wife despised it. The Lord’s rebuke to her was that she would not have children the rest of her life. David was chosen to be made one of the great kings of the earth.
GOD CHOSE PALASTINE AS THE PLACE THE HE WOULD “APPOINT FOR HIS PEOPLE.” Disobedience would sadly have his people, the Jews, scattered throughout the world though. THE NATIONAL JEWISH STATE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1948. THEY WILL ONE DAY BE CONVERTED AS A NATION (Deut. 30:1-6). David’s throne was to be an everlasting one (7:11-7). Jesus Christ was a descendant of the line of David and ONE DAY JESUS CHRIST WILL REIGN ON DAVID’S THRONE (Isa. 11:1). In chapter 8:15 David sets up his government. David gives land, honor, and security to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. God takes poor sinners (Mephibosheth) who trust in Jesus Christ and accepts them into His family and lets them sit at His banquet table (Eph. 1:6,7).
2 SAMUEL 10-11—Several major battles occur as David stays home. David’s men were insulted by Hanun and the Ammonites hired Syrians and fought against Israel. Both the Ammonites and the Syrians were defeated.
THE FALL OF MAN “AFTER HIS OWN HEART,” helps us to learn a lesson so we can be spared the “sorrow” of sin. David “should have been” on the battle field. As teens you need to beware of your vulnerabilities—unchaperoned events, patties…can bring terrible consequences. Rather than give into our hearts, as they are desperately wicked practice ‘self-discipline.” “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for our of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). Don’t take an interest in what temps you. 1 Cor. 10:13 reminds us that God provides a way of escape. When it comes to sexual temptation we are told to run. (Joseph Gen.39; 2 Tim. 2:22). In the end, SIN NEVER REMAINS COVERED. The Lord always sees and judges sin (Num. 32:23; Prov. 28:13).
2 SAMUEL 12—It has been about a year since David’s sin. God had given David deliverance from Saul the honor of the throne of Israel, but he disregarded all he was given and stole another man’s wife and then had the man murdered.
David’s murder caused a separation in his family. Because of his adultery he would have moral problems in his family. Because David engaged in immorality secretly his children would engage in open immorality.Although Nathan had informed David that God had forgiven him and he would remain on the throne forever, but his sin gave the Lord’s enemies reason to scoff at God’s people and Bathsheba’s child would die.
Although David fasted and prayed for seven days for the life of his child, the child died. In verse 23 David assures his servants that he will one day be with the child. THIS VERSE GIVES ASSURANCE TO CHRISTIAN PARENTS WHOSE BABIES HAVE DIED THAT THEY MAY SEE THEM IN HEAVEN ONE DAY.
In God’s great mercy we see David enter the battle that led the final capture of this Ammonite city. It was a battle closely related to Uriah’s death and David receives victory. David’s forgiveness and repentance were complete. Today Rabbah
is the modern city of Amman, Jordan.
REPENTANCE IS UNNATUREAL FOR US BECAUSE OF OUR SINFUL NATURE. We naturally want to justify sin because of our wicked hearts. Saul was an example of the “natural” response to sin as he acted out defensively. David responded to his sin in humble repentance as he pleaded for the mercy of God—he desperately wanted to be right with God. Although sin torments us (Ps. 32:3, 4) in grace we can accept the consequences (Ps. 3,4, 62, 63, 141) and confess and turn away.
“He who covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). “….be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:33).
Since David would not judge himself, God judged David. When God judges his children He must chasten. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” (1 Cor. 11: 31, 32).
2 SAMUEL 12:1-6—In Nathan’s parable the poor man is Uriah, the lamb is Bathsheba, the traveler was the wandering , wicked thought that led to David’s sin. David’s anger and indignation at the injustice of the rich man in the parable is very typical of OUR OWN HUMAN WEAKNESS TO EXPEN ON OTHERS THE HARDNESS WHICH WE SHOULD HAVE DEALT OUT TO OURSELVES. The Levitical law states that those who steal sheep must pay back fourfold. David’s sin was a personal matter and his chastening would be personal and he would reap fourfold.
The “sun” represents the world. Hollywood is very interested in all that is seamy and wicked. If a preacher commits adultery it will make the headlines…. It was good that David did not try to justify his actions—he immediately admitted and confessed his sin was against the Lord not just Bathsheba and Uriah—this assured his forgiveness, but he would still be chastened. He was promised that he would not die; which evidently meant that if he had a self-justifying spirit he would have died early like Saul. This is the difference between David and Saul. This is why God continued to use David and not Saul. It is so important that we respond to correction in our life.
As God chastened David he taught all succeeding generations that no child of God can get away with sin. God is always angry with sin. David wrote several Psalms that showed his heart attitude (Pss. 51, 32, and 102).
WORKS CITED
- Revelation and Church History
- Church Age
- Old Testament Study
- KING JAMES BIBLE
- MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY
- A Beka Book High School Bible Series “United Kingdom: Kings of Israel A;” 1995 Pensacola Christian College; www.abeka.com