Tuesday, July 19, 2011

2 Samuel 13

Amnon, son of David, was in love with his sister Tamar and one day forced her to come to bed with him. After he disgraced her, he sent her away. She was devastated and went away weeping and mourning until her brother Absalom found her and comforted her and took her to live in his house. Later, Absalom ordered his men to "strike Amnon down" and kill him. Absalon fled and went away to live in Geshur as David mourned for Amnon. Although David was upset about what had happened, he soon longed for Absalom, since "he was consoled now concerning Amnon's death".

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

2 Samuel 12
The prophet Nathan was sent by the Lord to rebuke David for his wicked behavior ( adultery and murder). Nathan told David a story about an evil rich man who stole from a poor man. When David became upset and suggested that the rich man should be put to death, Nathan told David that he had behaved just like the rich man in the story when he took the wife of Uriah to be his own and murdered Uriah. Then Nathan told David that the Lord has taken away his sin, but " because by doing this David has made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to David will die." David pleaded with God for the child's life, but on the seventh day his son died just as the Lord had said. Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, who later had another son and they named him Solomon.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

2 Samuel 11
King David became aware of a beautiful woman named Bathsheba. Though she was married, David sent messengers to bring her to his palace. He slept with her and she became pregnant. When David learned that she was pregnant, he ordered her husband , Uriah, to return from the battle field and to "go home and relax" with his wife. Later, David discovered that Uriah had not gone home since he wanted to return to the battlefield. David then planned to have Uriah killed by sending him to the front lines of the war, where the battle was the fiercest. He instructed his army commander, Joab, of his plans and later learned that Uriah had indeed been killed. After Bethsheba had mourned for her husband, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one his wives. Bethsheba gave birth to David's son, but "the Lord was displeased with what David had done".