David and the aftermath

2 Samuel 12-19

David and the Aftermath

This week we are discussing the results of David’s sin with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. The prophet Nathan declared in 2 Samuel 12:10 that the sword would never depart from his house. This is seen in the troubles David experiences after his son Amnon rapes his daughter Tamar and his son Absalom seeks vengeance. Alan Carr sums it up this way

A brief overview of the pain David endured for the moment of sin which destroyed a man’s family.

1. David suffered the death of an infant son—2 Sa 12:15, 18

2. David’s eldest son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar—2 Sa 13:1–2

3. David’s son Absalom grew to hate Amnon—2 Sa 13:22

4. Absalom conspires to have Amnon killed—2 Sa 13:23–29

5. Absalom falls from his father’s grace and the two are estranged for some 5 years. 2 Sa 13:37–39; 2 Sa 14:24

6. Absalom leads a public rebellion against David—2 Sa 15–17

7. Absalom publicly disgraces David by committing adultery with David’s concubines on top of the King’s palace—2 Sa 16:21–22

8. Absalom is murdered by David’s nephew Joab—2 Sa 18:32–33

Sin affects your future, it affects your walk, it affects others, it affects your family.

Don't let sin destroy your life, go to God who is the Friend of sinners and ask for help. (Mt 11:19; Heb 4:16)

Don’t ask others to cover your sin.

God is Not Mocked

In 2 Samuel 12-19 we start to see the devastating consequences of David’s sin. While it is true that God is the “God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10) and God forgives sin, there may still be a consequence. Sometimes it is retribution, or asking for forgiveness from a wronged party. We can’t apologize to God and ignore the hurt we cause someone. We certainly cannot expect to “get away” with wrongs done.

Galatians 6:7–8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

Don’t live in denial or self induced deception. We don’t define sin, God does. And God is not mocked. “Mocked” here is μυκτηρίζω (μυκτήρ ‘nostril, nose’) mukterizo, literally to turn up your nose to God, to be in contempt. to think you can outwit God. BDAG

You will reap exactly what you sow

The more you sow, the more you reap

You may reap more if you water it

It may take a season, but you there will be something that grows out of our actions

There will be positive and negative things that we sow and reap. If we sow by faith in the spirit we will reap eternally. If we sow in the flesh we will reap something that grows out of it. One thing is not weighed and balanced out by the other. Negative consequences are not negated by positive ones. (we don’t operate on a scale of good outweighing the bad)

Mercy can deal with the consequences of sin. Jude 23 “but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” Some people will enter heaven with the smell of smoke on them because a friend intervened and helped them through a difficult time.

David had such friends in his life after his sin, and he was a friend of God

This speaks of true friendship!

Law versus Grace:

Psalm 85:10 “Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.”

James 2:13 “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

Matthew 9:13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””

Matthew 12:7 “But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”

Matthew 5:38–42 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Eye for eye - Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21

Jesus is a true friend of sinners - Matthew 11:19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.””

The following points are a direct result of David’s sin. The offending parties are guilty of sin, but David is the author.

Amnon and Tamar

2 Sa 13:1-2

Sins of the Fathers

2 Samuel 13:1–2 “After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her.”

After David loses his son with Bathsheba, he is again going to find his family involved in a terrible trial. It involves his children, Absalom’s sister Tamar and her half-brother Amnon. The weakness David showed in his lust for Bathsheba is manifested again through Amnon. The object of his lust is his half-sister, Tamar. He plans and executes a rape and is judged for it.

The sins of the fathers

Exodus 20:5 “you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,”

A father not only passes down good traits modeled before his children, but also bad traits, manners, habits, fears, prejudices, addictions, weaknesses, and sin. David’s children inherited many of their fathers’ traits. Unfortunately, Amnon was found to be weak in this area. While the judgement against David included troubles for his family, it was still a decision Amnon would be guilty of. He still had a choice to act on his impulses just as we do.

The lesson here is while we may be weak in the flesh, we should teach our children how to deal with weakness. we need to set the example of going to God for strength and to the throne of grace when we need help.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Absalom’s Decision to take justice into his own hands

2 Sa 13:23-39

Conspiracy to Commit Murder

2 Samuel 13:26–28 “Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.””

Absalom has been furious for two years waiting to get revenge for his sister Tamar. He has a righteous anger, but he is going to take vengeance into his own hands. Deuteronomy 32:35 “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’” It was God’s place to effect vengeance and justice .

The sin of conspiracy comes when Absalom starts a campaign of recruiting help in his scheme. This again is something inherited from his father David. David plotted to have Urriah killed at the front line of battle. Now Absalom is busy in spreading evil and corrupting men to do his bidding.

It starts out with Absalom’s hidden motives and deception in his conversation with David.

When David grant’s Absalom’s request for a gathering he is unknowingly complicit in the conspiracy.

Absalom exerts his influence among his servants. Today peer pressure is a powerful influence and should be a lesson in whom we keep company with. Great evil is done with the excuse of, “he was my friend”.

We are encouraged to guard our hearts. Let us always use wisdom in our conversations so we don’t enter a conspiracy. Just because “everyone is doing it” is not a reason for us to blindly enter evil.

Great harm is done when we let our guard down and follow our hearts. Stand out and stand up for Christ.

Absalom’s Conspiracy to replace David

2 Sa 15-17

2 Samuel 14:28 “And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face.”

Absalom, David’s son, was separated from David for two years after he killed Amnon. During this time his anger raged and he devised a plan to take over the kingdom. We read in 2 Samuel 14:30 “So he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.” He did this to gain an audience with David. He was bitter and resentful that David did not speak to him for two years so he commits a crime to gain access to David.

2 Samuel 15:6 “In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” His next step was to gain the following of the people to his side. He conspired to influence mens hearts, to ingratiate himself and through pride win over people loyalty. In doing this Absalom exercised a form of evil that Satan used to win over angels to his cause, to go around and spread traffic influence.

2 Samuel 15:12“Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.”

He then worked to gain the loyalty of Ahithophel, one of David’s chief counselors. He gained a lot of power and David was forced to flee Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 18:9–15 recounts the story of 22,000 men Absalom commanded in the great battle of Ephraim. They lost the battle. Absalom fled on a donkey and got his hair caught in a tree and was killed.

This episode pictures the approbation lust of a man seeking power and it destroyed him. Christians will sometimes even enter the sin of conspiracy by talking, taking sides, forming cliques, and losing sight of loyalty.

Mark 7:6 “He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.”

Absalom is Murdered by Joab

2 Sa 18 32-33

2 Samuel 18:32–33 “And the king said to the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” So the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!” Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!””

Some may think it strange that David would have such love for a rebellious son, but the last statement is a show of unconditional love. The aftermath of David’s sin is evident, two sons dead, his daughter raped, the kingdom taken from him and given back…