#455 Friendly Advice

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.

3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.

5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.

8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.

17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.

26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.

35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.

36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.

37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. 2 Samuel 13 KJV

The troubles of David continue, even when you refrain from your own sin, the defeat can make it difficult to stand up against the sin of others. In this wretched tale we find his oldest son, supposedly love sick, for what the law has deemed off limits. This is his half sister, relation, and he is quite taken with her, but is this from a heart with the purest of motives and intentions? Does the law have the right to make such limits? Does God have the right to set such boundaries upon His creation? It is observable within the field of genetics that inbreeding can lock in traits, but also transfer such corruptions of the pool at a faster rate. This was observable even then, and in remote places, the weakening of the line of live stock. I don't think the young lad has had much withheld from him, and so often the liberal parent thinks it loving not to restrain the appetite, but rather to indulge. He is the kings son and with that comes privilege, but for all that is at his beckon, like his father before him, those indulgences no longer suffice. The thing which Leviticus 18:11 speaks so clearly against, that forbidden incest between himself and what is rightly called his sister, the daughter of his father, that is what now entices him. He cannot hear, "no, off limits, forbade, wrong, stop." He does not care for the voice of God, and is upset not about his sin, but that such limitations exist. 

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20

Now Amnon does have a wonderful friend, who is concerned with his well being. "Why are you so sad, my friend? Why would a son of the king ever look down? I just want you to be happy. If it makes you happy then do it. Ah, thankfully such wisdom always abounds, one can always find another who will help you justify doing that which God is opposed to, and help you do it without worry. "There is no God. God wouldn't care about something like that. The Bible is an old book. We can test genetics now so that incest really isn't a problem," I actually read an article about that some time ago, and I think it was a case out of New Zealand, a mother and son. After all, if they test the fetus and it is not to their liking then you can always kill it. "What right does God have to any of this? Why did He make me this way? It is His fault after all that I am attracted to my sister." 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[d] 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1: 12-18

God is not the Author of Amnon's sin, in that He is not his tempter. God does not come into being as men and all other created things come to exist. He is and therefore we are able to exist because He calls us into life. He is truth and He is holy, infinitely so at that and it is this light that reveals the dark, but does not have darkness generating forth out of itself. Paraphrasing Edwards, the darkness is not generated or birthed of the sun, but rather comes as the sun recedes the horizon. Light does not make dark, it chases, it burns, it irritates the eyes and reveals the intents of the heart. If God has given man a knife, has He forced his hand to murder with it? If God has made Tamar beautiful has He also not rightly made Tamar after His own image, of value and worth, beyond her good looks and body? Or has He done unjustly in making her attractive, because He has also somehow made it impossible for you not to rape her? People will never give God credit where it is due, but they are quick to give blame where it doesn't fit. There is a lot here, a father who has not restrained himself, his sons, a son who has idiots for friends, and a father who should be more aware of his own house. How shall he rule Israel when his own house is in such disorder? The law is clear here, Amnon has been counseled by a moron who does not bring up the law or the righteousness of God, does not counsel about God's wrath and judgment, but rather looks for a way to step around the law, and to fool a sister who might be adverse to such things. He gets her to his chamber, then he clears the room of witnesses, then he ask her, but she says NAY, don't do this thing. She has come in kindness, but now her person, her honor, that very thing which a brother should defend, he will now take by force. She pleads and reasons with him, calling him brother, even asking that he go to David, but he knows the answer, and he wants what he holds in his hand right now. He takes it and then hates her, for she will not bare any of the blame, it is not a secret shared between friends, but it is his choice. She has of her own free will said, "no", and he has traded his freedom for the chains of guilt, the mark of the fool. Though he may go on and suppress what he has done, and his father may fail his sister for whatever lack there is in David, God will not be mocked. It is better to be confronted by a friend, turned to a better path, held back from the pit. For if the righteous don't restrain you, the unrighteous will destroy you in the name of honor. Absalom may be considered by some a hero, but he is quick to ask, hath Amnon done this unto thee? I think Amnon's ways are well known, and someone should have stood up to him a long time before this. Parents who think they do so well by their children, indulging their every want, defending their every sin, blaming everyone else, never making them accountable or punishing their evil, you turn your children over to their destruction. It will not matter, your take on parenting, what society allowed, I will say it again, till your ears bleed, my opinion does not matter. Is there a God? I believe there is. What did He say? Not, what do you think, or what would you like?

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21:2

The idols that David has brought into his house are now worshiped by his sons. Abasalom is kind to his sister, and he does wonderful in bringing her under the protection of his roof, but he is also calculating. He either has lost hope that his father can be convinced to do what is right or he is so much more pleased with the thought of killing his brother, the next in line. Eli was slow to punish his sons, and David thinks it is love that restrains his hand here, both as the father and as the king, but he has here denied the office of both. He has not given justice to the wounded, confronted sin, consulted with God. He is just angry, but what good is it when you love son or daughter more than God? Is it love? Love doesn't seek it's own, it seeks the good of the other, and what good is it for the other to be happy here in their sin, yet forever set against an almighty, Holy and Just God? How much love is it that you did not stir the pot, make waves, say what someone did not want to hear, wasn't that more for your sake than loves? Isn't it more convenient for you? Absalom persuades his father to send his brother to his house. It is interesting in the text that he also wanted David to come and he presses him. Absalom has an idol too, and it probably looks just like him, only taller than any building in the kingdom, set up as high as his imagination and ambition will carry him. He is arrogant and loves power, and whatever good he has done for his sister, he is still not a God fearing man himself. There is more here for Absalom than his sister's honor, and he brings his men into his craft, encouraging them, "fear not, have I not commanded you?" Oh well, ok, if you say so. As long as you are giving the order then I am not doing anything wrong, only obeying my master, being a good servant. If there is any wrong it is on you. If it worked that way you couldn't have the Nuremberg trials. Hitler's men thought that a fare argument, that they were only following orders. Society decides what is right and wrong and therefore this was right at the time for it was there Nazi society and the dictate of their ruler. There's people who believe similar today, some just never allow themselves to walk the problem that far back, but it's an argument to them nonetheless. 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23: 27&28

Absalom was beautiful to his father, and his heart missed him, for he left the land after the murder of his brother. He left, for it was not in self defense, he actually got him drunk, set a trap and sprung it upon him. If it were in self defense then he could have fled to one of the cities of refuge, but this was not the case and it was not by accident either. We cry now over the pain of death, but what could have been done for the living if we would have mourned so much more then over our sin?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5: 3 & 4

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#454 Naked Heart

And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

10 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.

11 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.

25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.

26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.

27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.

28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.

29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.

30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.

31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 12 KJV

Nathan is a friend, but he is definitely on a mission here, and he is the voice of God now to David. I think we often put away or aside what we know God would say on a matter. I would avoid other Christians at this point, at least real ones, they might tell me that I am wrong to my face. It is not like when the world tells you, it is not a matter of what is is. There is no drama that can dissuade what God has said, and my friend may cry for my pain, but he will tell me the truth. Nathan doesn't have a choice, the scales tip the balance towards God, if he sends me then I am but his mouth piece, there is no filter of cultural standards, only a parable that he can well relate to, that is expository to the law which David already knows. Now, those of state must hear out those of moral authority, for the state will otherwise make the claim of "needs of the many", or "desire of the masses", which may often be the uneducated, deluded, rogue mob. It may be the wave that was formed by one point of view or surging lie, so it could never be that the state or the majority is always right just for being the state. Nathan must fear God above man, or else power and position might guide his tongue, and the bar will be set ever lower. Now many kings and rulers may appreciate some facets of religion, proverbs, luck, a god that is easily manipulated, and some often think the sacraments of true religion to be such tools of manipulation. If I do this, sacrifice this, give my body to be burned, donate large sums of money, then God is obligated to return the favor. No, the God of the Bible will say such horrible things as "I would have mercy rather than sacrifice,' that, 'obedience is better than the blood of bulls and rams." He tells them He has hated their sacrifices.  

Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light—

pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?

21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;

your assemblies are a stench to me.

22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,

I will not accept them.

Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,

I will have no regard for them.

23 Away with the noise of your songs!

I will not listen to the music of your harps.

24 But let justice roll on like a river,

righteousness like a never-failing stream! Amos 5: 20-24

Being a king, a nation set apart, did not keep you from God's wrath. The poor man had but one lamb, and it was loved with all the love of the house, for there wasn't another. He doted on it, much as Uriah must have took great care and pride over his one beautiful wife, his own soul. The rich man in the story is not as wicked as David and yet David is ready to show him no mercy. The rich man stole the lamb, but he did not kill the owner. David wants first the rich man's life, second four fold to be repaid because of his lack of pity. Many men and women see the relationship that another person has, and it is a game to them, home wrecking, ignoring such good and sacred boundaries, all for fun, and much for evil. David has more wives than he should, but it is the one that he shouldn't have that intrigues him, the only one of another. You cannot even enjoy such when you would not know it for yourself, she is just a thing to him, an acquisition that can only be wrongfully enjoyed. It is this way with the world, the heart wants what the heart wants, but God says the heart is wicked and deceitful above all things. God does not accept David's justification, he stands accused of murder, it does not matter the hand that held the sword, it was David's wish and his words. He defied God's commands, and now whom the Lord loveth will be ever so chastened at least 4 fold. David will not die, but one born into sin, yet not yet having sinned, will die instead. This child of Bathsheba will die and the sword will not depart from his house. His son will rape his sister, be killed by his stepbrother, Absalom will openly ravage his father's bed and then be killed himself. David made poor choices when it came to women, and  more poor choices on behalf of the first ones. Yet here is where he differs from Saul, here is where you need to find yourself, because you're already there regardless, I am guilty. I am not dead yet physically, but I am a spiritual still born. It is in my heart to lust, to envy, to hate, to murder, to steal, and David says, "I have sinned against the Lord." No buts. He does go to prayer on behalf of the child, for he knows the Lord to be merciful, maybe, just maybe He will not finish my son. Most would like to hide their sin, down to the child, but David wants him to live. There is nothing in this world, and here is where you should also not be confused, nothing that God does not allow and that is not under His sovereignty. There is no puny, impotent god up there wondering what will happen next or needing me to apologize for letting mankind live in it's sin. God is Holy and Just, yet He is Loving and willing to show mercy, but it comes at a premium. David's life was not taken, but the life of the child was, it is God's to take. Those that think he got off easy should keep reading the rest of his life. He fasted, he prayed, God took that small life back to himself, and David cleaned himself from his mourning and worshiped God. There is no point in being angry, no point in continuing in his grief, for all the tears he could ever cry, will not bring his son back. We could be mad at God I suppose, as this is a popular route, for the loss of a soccer game and an ice cream cone I have heard no less, but no one has a leg to stand on here. There is none righteous, not even one, not even the shepherd king with the sling. He brought down giants, and is here brought down by himself, no one stands before God forever in arrogance, they are all brought down, their wisdom is crushed, their was no justification for David in his own words. The words that did apply, could only condemn, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sin. My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me, why are You so far from me? God hates sin, so understand that as well, if He is going to bridge this gap, then He will have to deal with sin. An infinite God will require a sacrifice of infinite greatness, the Son of David that will come much later, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God. This is a sad story, but if you can see yourself in David's place, cry out, God, I have sinned against You, and all sin is against You. Everything that I have done to the least of your brethren was done against You. I have nothing to offer You in trade, nothing that You would not have to give me first. I believe that I was born into original sin, and that You have provided in Your Son a way for me to be saved from Your just wrath. I ask You to change my heart, to quicken my spirit. God, please save me and my family. Let me keep your commandments and forever walk in Your ways. Lord, I pray this for all my friends, please show them the way, the truth and the life.  

It is a curiously sad thing to read the end of this chapter. David seems at times to still lack mercy, even though he has been shown so much. You may argue otherwise, but God does not owe us life to begin with, and if he left David without correction, then that would be to his eternal demise. He would have been kinder killing his enemies in battle then slowly breaking them under such harsh labor. Work is a thing of honor, but such slavery makes it seem dishonorable. As one writer put it, he should have thrown the crown of the other king at the feet of God, rather than place it upon his head. Power surely corrupts, but it wouldn't be so easy if we weren't already so corruptible. 

And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15This is a trustworthysaying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into theworld to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 16But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience, as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.…1 Timothy 1:14-16

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#453 AWOL

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.

10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.

17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;

19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,

20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.

23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.

24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.

26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. 2 Samuel 11 KJV

They follow up on the previous campaigns to rid the land of their enemies, but rather than leading, David stays behind at the palace. Maybe he feels too old to go out, or maybe he has spent too much time sitting down, at meat and all the other dainties of the king. That would not bother me, but and if you do you must do this, lift up your arms to heaven, be on your knees before God and study the law of God on my behalf. I will go fight your battles in the field, but you must fight yourself at home. You must protect and defend the kingdom, honor the God Who has put you there, Who we ask to go before us into battle. If you can't do this then you are much better off in the field with your men, cross back over the Jordan, stay busy assessing the battle, encouraging the troops. Sin starts here for so many, idleness, boredom when there is actually much good to be doing, playing at the edge of the drop, at first holding on and then later hoping that the ground will fall out from under you. Then it can hardly be your fault, right? I mean it's not like you were warned, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not covet, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not murder? 

So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. 22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.…2 Timothy 2:22

Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I shall not sin against Thee. Could this even be the same king that wrote those words? Yes, it is the same king who put aside the law of God to kings regarding wives, and followed his lust. Sin starts in the heart, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and those that would act as if Christ brought on some new God in the new covenant, David learns that it is the heart even back then. Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me. The heart is wicked and deceitful above all things. Christ echoes this when He says, if you look upon a woman to lust after her, you have already committed adultery in your heart. What? That is absurd I would say, for who doesn't do this? It starts in your heart, in your thoughts that you do not try to reign in, and there are often a thousand steps between the palace and Bathsheba, and a thousand more back to the palace, and moments in between to repent of how far you have already come. There are a hundred fools that would read this and come up with a thousand buts, but there are a hundred more fools for everyone of them that would hear the buts and think, that makes sense, that is my religion, I like that, I am justified in this. David was a man after God's own heart after all. Sadly, this is the best of us, and if I would have written it to make God's people the heroes, I would have left so much of David's story out. This is his Achilles' heal, lust, which turns to envy, adultery and murder, for the wages of sin is always death for someone, someone has to pay the price. Lust reduces the creature, envy creates hostility and is ungrateful for what it already has. How many wives and concubines does David have? Does he need more, can he not be satisfied with his own harem? He asked who she was. It is Uriah's wife. Oh, that would make her unavailable, but maybe the law is somehow different for me, I have power, bring her here. Maybe he thought to just talk and flirt or told himself that at first, but somehow she ends up pregnant from the encounter. Why would she allow this to happen? Did she think that who David was would make it different as well? Now she must appeal to him after, to protect her name and her person. Once he knows, he has to act, because this will be a serious charge, and this he knows as the upholder of the law. This he knows from reading the law, and now a woman may die for what he has invited her into, for it does not say he raped her. David is a clever man, and rather than repent and go to God for forgiveness, then to Uriah for forgiveness, to the prophets for advice, he devises another way. He brings Uriah home, easy enough, he'll sleep with his wife and it will be like it never happened. Damn that Uriah though, he is so bent on his duty he is not willing to leave it for special favor, and some think this is because he suspects what has taken place, but I think this is revealing the hardness of David's heart. There is a better man before me, and I should see that, he is more righteous than I, but I would rather despise him for this, for not coming down to my level, for not being so predictable in this way. Ah, but the righteous are predictable in another way, he will follow orders, he will be eager to return to his station. Now David writes a letter, not one of his poems this time, no, this will now invite yet another person into his sin, Joab. Does Joab know what this is about? I don't think completely because David says later not to let it displease him. David justifies it by saying, the sword devours one as well as another, like his hands are clean, though he is asking you to pull away from him. It is disturbing that Joab is willing to do this without question, that it falls under the security of government. Who will question the king? They will all know when they get back, it will be obvious, and you may think right now in your heart that the law was the issue, that it was too harsh. If God would have allowed more then there would be less offense, but it is not the law that creates sin, sin is the result of the fall. The law merely points out the offense that sin is to righteousness. It does not change the ability to stand before a Holy God, only gives the ability to perceive the offense. Whom the Lord loveth, He chaseneth. What we think we do in secret and in the dark, in denial of God, is always and ever before the eyes of and against the Creator. David, in this one chapter could have crushed one of the tablets that Moses brought down from the mount, once you start a lie, it grows and grows. 

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.




2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.




3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.




4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.




5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,




6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.




7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.




8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;




9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.




10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.




11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4: 1-11

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#452 Sorry, Perception Ain't Reality

And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?

4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:

10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.

11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.

13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.

14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more. 2 Samuel 10 KJV

There is nothing that leaves so much of an impression upon us as kindness, both done to ourselves and even richer when we extend this to others. The lame now have a place at the kings table, and it must hold the memories and comforts of a faithful friend, though not the person but the glimpse, the smile. In time of peace it is good to look around for and after the turmoil of others, that we stay busy in doing good, that we pray without ceasing, resisting such temptation to suggest that must starve so that I may be fat. He remembers the kindness of another king to himself, and so he wishes to comfort that man's son in his passing. He sends his own faithful servants as the Lord of the field sends His servants first and in the last He sends His Son. Now men will always be suspect of one another, but these men have come in peace, yet the princes of Ammon do not come to that truth. They are Godless men, politicians who deal with like men from all over, not looking for another's best, but to best another. People always say to the point that I am sick of it, that "their perception is their reality", but for one small problem, the truth. I have heard long defenses of people's perception, but all for not, because the issue can only rightly be settled on the truth, otherwise the outcome is not just. "David could not have sent these men to comfort you, because we would never do that ourselves, unless we were going to spy out the land." To the pure all things are pure, and walking home with half a beard and my ass hanging out to my shame, I would have to wonder, what did I do? Men swore upon their beards then, were shaved off only to show that they were no longer their own person, but slaves to another. You expose my nakedness and shave off my beard as if to say that my dishonesty has been exposed, that you have brought to light that which was not even darkness in me? I am shamed if this is what my king sought to do, but I had no knowledge of it. This was not David's intent and he is jealous for his servants as if it were his own beard, and what is done to his people is done also to him. He sent them with their feet shod in the preparation of the gospel of peace, to comfort those he thought mourned, but they would not be comforted. They disdained the kindness of the king, in their arrogance they thought themselves above it, they tormented the servants that he sent and now they do realize that their own actions have caused them to stink. They do not repent of their actions but fortify themselves against that day of justice. They refused peace and knowing that they have now agitated the sword, they call upon Syrians and all else who will stand with them. Joab and his brother split their forces to deal with the different armies, and David crosses the Jordan to oppose this hoard. We should stop here and never go on, so that our perception could shape some wonderful "reality", but the Bible is too honest in it's assessments of men, and while we may glory in the present, so much of the rest of David's story is too painful to continue. He has been called up by God to be the shepherd of His people, he has expanded the kingdom, penned some of the most wonderful and prophetic Psalms, but he is no Christ. Those that looked for Messiah in his day, must look for another. Lord, teach my heart, let me be ever so careful, nothing I have is without Your grace, and no evil that befalls me is without your permission. Let us not shrink from this history, but rather be all the more careful where we stand, lest we be tempted and fall. 

And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. 2 When the season came, he sent a servant[a] to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. 6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this Scripture:


“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;[b]
11 this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away. Mark 12: 1-12

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#451 Blood and Spirit

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.

3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.

12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet. 2 Samuel 9 KJV

There is nothing outside the Sovereignty of God, so David need not fear a son of his enemy, and it is has been some time passed since his covenant with Jonathan. Mephibosheth has nothing to offer the king that is not given to him, and it is a mercy that is not often shown. He restores to him the house of his father, for the love of Jonathan, but think as odd as it may appear, what do we have to offer God? That is a chasm of much greater immensity, I still cannot define with my eyes nor my mind the measure of eternity, but for the love of the Son, the Father gives those whom He has chosen, His Spirit. He comes lame and humbles himself before David, there must be fear for what is common, the violence that goes on against the family of the enemy, but David is quick to assure him that this is not the intent. Like David asked God, who am I, ask Mephibosheth. Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the sons of God. David restores his land, his servants to him, and he gives him a seat at his own table like one of his sons. God will honor the man who honors Him, and David will honor the son of his best friend. Oh that we understood such kindness, but those who say they know these things now take more pride in building walls. Yes, David is opening himself up to one who may possibly be envious of him, who may take pride in David's short comings one day, but who does not have envy in their heart for sure? Who does not have inside their heart the things that Christ calls murder? If you can be forgiven and blessed of God, then God can do the same for someone else, for there is nothing special about you that you created. While you live, if you are born again, than you are Christ here to this world. You are the Samaritan, the one who forgives so that you may be forgiven as well. I'm not ignorant of serpents or doves, but we say these things so many times without the counsel of the entire word, that they become cliché. You tell me you have enemies, I don't disagree, but what did Christ say about being children like our Father, oh yeah, that stuff. God, please help me not to take offense so easily, but to defend Your honor in love, for that is the only honor pure and without delusion. Let me speak with wisdom and let me speak much less, for in the abundance of words is little knowledge. Help me to be a peacemaker. To thine be the glory, the honor and praise, Amen.

Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him! 10For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! 11Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.…Romans 5: 9-11

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. Colossians 1:21 

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#450 Thy Sting

After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots. 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. 6 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.7 And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze.

9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze. 11 These also King David dedicated to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, 12 from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14 Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

David's Officials

15 So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, 17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary, 18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over[a] the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David's sons were priests. 2 Samuel 8 ESV

David carries on to finish the work that the Judges had started, Samson being a strength to the people, Jonathan a battle cry, and now David goes from giant slayer to leading the people against the ungodly. Israel is now a united force against her adversaries, she has a great shepherd to lead her. This enables them by God's purpose to take the stronghold or "bridle" city of Metheg-ammah.

He also comes against the Moabites, who were despised of the Lord for enticing and following after Balaam. Balaam prophesied this day though he would have rather spoke kindly to the king that would pay him. The scepter has now risen, the star has come up from Jacob, and he is crushing Moab as in Numbers 24:17. He measures out Moab in a line, 2/3 of the people are destroyed and a 1/3 is allowed to live, to pay tribute to Israel. Remember also, the most famous of Moab is Ruth and she is a mother to the present rule in Israel, much like Saul remembered Jabesh-gilead as a mother to Benjamin. The Lord has promised, in his covenant with Abraham, that through his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. He sets aside a remnant.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but David did not find need for so many. It is quite an impressive front, a strong looking line at the battle, but in times of both war and peace, a huge drain upon the population. We will remember the Name of the Lord our God. Be careful what you gather in times of plenty, that it does not eat you into want, and that you can maintain it in times of drought.

David also makes a friend of his enemy's enemy. He comes to bring tribute to David in thankfulness for the removal of him who he feared. We should also come quickly to Christ, for His defeat of death and sin on the cross. It is better to come in gratitude, most peacefully, realizing that He has conquered where we could only struggle, that He has overcome where we could only succumb. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 states it well.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

David dedicates the precious metals to God so that his son can one day use them in the building of the temple. Never has Israel seen a time like this, and when David subdues Edom, truly the older bows to the younger in Jacob. Lord, surely there is none like You, no one to make such a plan over and through the ages, their is no word like unto Thy Word. Balaam, a false prophet could see David a far off, You made it so he could not speak against your people that he had to bless them to Moab. He had to resort to other means to cause them to fall from within, and you chastened them in this, they would become slaves to their sin, but you called them out of it. We could not design thus, and we would always work to our own demise. You have withstood the proud, and You still show grace to the humble. Let me be humble, I lift up the Name that is above every name, Jesus, the Christ, Holy is the Lamb that was slain, Who takes away the sins of the world. 

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesusand your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:15-23

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