Day 130: Nathan Condemns David

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 12, 1 Chronicles 16, and Psalm 51.

I. In 2 Samuel 12 the prophet Nathan confronts King David using a parable: a rich man steals a poor man’s only lamb. David, angered, condemns the man only for Nathan to declare: “You are the man!” (12:7). David has committed a most grievous sin in the killing of Uriah and taking his wife, Bathsheba, for his own pleasure. For this, Nathan promised that while God "put away your sin; you shall not die," the child conceived from this adulterous union would die as punishment. David repented of what he had done, giving us some of the most moving of the Psalms, but the temporal consequences of his sin remained. He fasted and wept for the child, calling upon God's mercy, but it was not to be. The child died a week later. When told, David rose up, cleaned himself, and went to worship God. When questioned by his astonished servants, he replied: "[N]ow he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me" (12:23). It's a touching scene, but I cannot help but think of the poor child. I pray he didn't suffer and was welcomed to Paradise upon his death.

Next, David went to comfort Bathsheba over the death of their child, and soon they conceived another, whom they named Solomon. The chapter ends with the defeat of the Ammonites and capture of their royal city, including their king and his crown.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

David is a flawed hero. He is a sinner and broken man. David's sin in the dark needs to be brought into the light for God to save him. He is an example of God's ability to save... Nathan the prophet tells David that the Lord forgives him but that there are consequences to his actions. (p. 22)

II. 1 Chronicles 16 records what happens after the Ark of the Covenant is successfully brought to Jerusalem. There is much joy and thanksgiving to God, with regular worship being established (16:37-43).

III. Psalm 51 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

A lament psalm that Christian tradition counts as one of the seven penitential psalms, along with Pss 6, 32, 38, 102, 130, 143. It is often called the Miserere (Latin for "Have mercy..."). It presents essential elements for reconciliation with God: the sinner confesses his sin to the Lord, accepts responsibility for his wrongdoing, expresses contrition, and asks for forgiveness, inward healing, and renewed joy. (p. 873)

This psalm is believed to have been composed in repentance in the aftermath of David's great sin.

That's it for today!