Most of us are familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba as it is found in 2 Sam. 12. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then tried to hide it. When Uriah (Bathsheba’s husband) would not cooperate with David’s plan to let him think he was the father of the child, he contrived a way to have Uriah killed in battle. Chapter 11 ends with David taking Bathsheba as his wife as though his secret sin would never be discovered. David must have been greatly relieved and thought he had gotten away with it! But, God would not let David go unpunished for his actions and sent Nathan the prophet to confront him. The price of David’s sin was significant, First, the child would die and then David and his kingdom would begin to experience significant trouble including the prediction that David’s family would fall apart before his eyes.

In the midst of this tragedy though, the grace of God is clearly seen. Notice what it says in verses 24-25,

“Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and David named him Solomon. The LORD loved the child and sent word through Nathan the prophet that they should name him Jedidiah (which means ‘beloved of the LORD’), as the LORD had commanded.”

Wow! Solomon was born to Bathsheba? This text implies that Solomon was the next child born to Bathsheba, but 1 Chronicles 3:5 tells us that Solomon was the fourth child born to her. The point in our passage is the focus on God’s grace to David because Solomon would be God’s new chosen servant. God was able to use even David’s horrendous sin to accomplish his purposes! That is amazing grace!

Father, we all sin and often think our sin has no consequences. We can fall into the trap of trying to figure out ways to keep our sin hidden. The story of David is one that shows us that you, as a loving Father, may discipline your children for their sin. We also can clearly see your amazing grace in the midst of David’s failures. Help me to be like David when confronted with sin and repent humbly and quickly as he did. Make me unlike David by helping me to stay close to you and your Word so that I do not fall into sin as David did. Thank you for the reminder of how gracious you are to your children even in the midst of our failures.

Following Jesus with you,

Jeff