God's Judgment

Writers Block

Many writers suffer from time to time with an inability to put words on the page. In the first part of this passage, Samuel seems to forget the name of Uriah’s wife so he just calls her Uriah’s wife. When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (2 Sa 11:26). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

The real reason for this memory block is actually the writer paying respect to the dead. Bathsheba had committed an injustice. I think of the Garden scene of Genesis. Adam says that he was given the fruit by the woman that God had given him. IN that statement blame is spread around to others. In a way Adam blames God because God gave him this woman. Adam blames the woman also, which is another way to deflect responsibility for our actions. In this passage the writer does not mention the name of Uriah’s wife out of respect for Uriah who has now been killed because of the actions of his wife.

David keeps his distance during the time of mourning for much the same reason. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (2 Sa 11:27). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

David had sent for Bathsheba when this all started and so he now plans to do the right thing and make her his wife. But God is displeased. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD, and the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him,

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (2 Sa 11:27–12:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Now the way that Nathan talks to David allows David to admit that what had happened was not okay. I can imagine that it is important that Nathan helps David to realize this without losing his head. (a little humor from a previous sermon) After telling David this story, which is quite convicting, Nathan says, You are the man! 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Sa 12:13). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.