Read: 2 Samuel 12:18-31/1 Chronicles 20:1-3, 2 Samuel 8/1 Chronicles 18, 1 Chronicles 11:10, 2 Samuel 23:8-39/1 Chronicles 11:11-47
The Daily Bible doesn’t give commentary on today’s reading and I’m kind of glad it doesn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I fully enjoy the commentary that this chronological Bible offers, but it doesn’t focus enough on some of the people we read about. One such person is David.
In yesterday’s reading, I saw how unlike David I am. David makes some poor choices (ok, not so unlike him there); he commits adultery and plots a murder to get what he wants. Then when his friend and prophet of God confronts him about it, exposing David’s sin, it’s in David’s response that I don’t recognize myself.
David writes a psalm.
I wouldn’t have done that. My pride would’ve reared it’s ugly head, raising back and puffing up in anger, revealing a threatening hood of embarrassment, hissing and spewing hate toward the person who called me out. I’m pretty certain I would not have responded in anguish, humility and love.
But David did. David realized what he had done and immediately falls prostrate, begging for God’s forgiveness and of course he gets it… but along with disobedience comes punishment.
Today’s reading reveals more of David’s heart. David’s baby that Bathsheba gave birth to is now deathly ill. David is beside himself, pleading for God to spare this child, fasting and weeping for 7 days.
David’s attendants were even afraid to tell David when the baby dies because of how violently David had mourned him during this illness. But oh to have a heart like David…to realize that even though God didn’t give him what he truly wanted, God’s plans are best.
And do you see how God blesses David for his faithfulness? If you keep reading…
“Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her; and she gave birth to a son, and he named him…” 1 Samuel 12:24
Solomon.
