Nathan Condemns David

February 6, 2022 Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 12 Lesson Passage: 2 Samuel 12:1 9, 13 - 15 The topic of this lesson is a little misleading. Nathan, as the prophet of God, was the messenger of God. The condemnation was not from Nathan but from God. Also, this was a condemnation of David's actions rather than a condemnation of David. In other words, if David would have been condemned by God, then David would have died because of the condemnation. The fact that God spared David's life is a demonstration of the mercy of God towards His own. David's actions led to adultery and the murder of an innocent man. David devised the plan and had Joab, the commander of the military, execute it. Using another person in such a devious scheme made it even more contemptible. Because of this, Joab became a co-conspirator in the murder. Prior to the murder scheme, David attempted to deceive Uriah, the murder victim, to cover up the adultery. Uriah showed unwavering loyalty to David as his king. Uriah wanted to be in battle defending King David and the kingdom. Since Uriah would not fall for David's deceptive scheme, David sent the murder plan to Joab by the hand of Uriah - yet another act of contempt. Uriah's wife mourned for him after his death. After a period of mourning, David brought her to his house to be his wife. Earlier in David's life, he was described as a man after God's own heart. David loved the Lord and David was loyal to King Saul. David loved the people of God and put his life on the line to defend their honor against the Philistine. This is a total contrast of character between David's earlier life and his latter. There are many questions to consider concerning this. Let's take a brief look at David's life before and after. David grew up in a modest setting. He was the youngest of his father's sons. While his older brothers went to war for the kingdom, David was a keeper of his father's "few sheep", as his brothers referred to them. David was a skilled musician with the harp. David had complete confidence in God's love and protection of Israel. David was spiritually sensitive to the will of God. Later, God elevated David to be king of Israel. God gave David victory against all his enemies. David was loved and highly acclaimed by Israel. The sweet psalmist of Israel was now king of God's people. He was successful and had a very life. During a season of warfare between the nations, it was customary for kings to lead their militaries into battle. However, King David sent the military to do battle, but he stayed at home. It was then that David was tempted. He saw an attractive woman bathing. Beware of worldly success! I have never met anyone who indicated in my presence that they did not desire to be successful. But how many of us are truly prepared to be successful? Success can be intoxicating. If someone with David's pedigree can fall victim, then we should all be cautious. When God saw David as a man after His own heart, it was with the foreknowledge of how David would err later. God knows our frame. God sees the frailties of humanity, but He does not excuse our actions because of it. God commands us to be holy even as He is holy. This is not something we can achieve on our own. We need the strength and resolve that can only come from God. We must seek God in prayer for it. Sometimes we are convinced that we can handle things on our own because of our success. This is part of the delusion the word of God warns us about. A child of God will never be condemned by God, However, our unholy actions are condemned by God, and God will certainly punish us for actions that He condemn. Robert C. Hudson January 8, 2022