David and His Sons

2 Samuel 11-13

This is a long passage, but there is a common theme and many connections between these various sections. We have studied this part of 2 Samuel for the past 2 Sundays at FBC Martin in Sunday School. So for much of this I have to give credit to Morgan Owen and Jeremy Kolwinska. I am going to hit the high points.

David (ch11) - This is a very familiar passage about David's sin with Bathsheba. But that was not David's only mistake. First he was guilty of lusting after Bathsheba when he first saw her. Then he slept with her. He attempted to get Uriah to return and sleep with her to cover up his sin. But Uriah instead wanted to defend his king (who should have been at battle). Finally, David manipulated the situation and had Uriah killed in battle.

Now we all know that an immediate consequence is that David and Bathsheba lost their son. Later Solomon (the future king) was born. But his sins had more consequences that were shown through his sons.

Amnon and Absalom (ch13) - David's sons found themselves trapped in many of the same sins that he struggled with. Amnon lusted after his sister Tamar. He then manipulated the situation so that he could sleep with her. This angered Absalom, and he manipulated David in letting Amnon go out specifically with Absalom. It was there that Absalom murdered Amnon.

The life lesson for us today is that we must be careful in our actions. We may not realize it at the time, but our actions will affect the lives of others at some point. It may affect those immediately around us, and in many cases it could affect our own family (children). People are always watching us. We do not want others to think that we condone those actions. If they think we are condoning those sins, then they may get entrapped by that sin. This is very dangerous with children who mimic their parents.

So watch what you do and what you say. Be careful to follow God daily and use His strength to overcome the temptations of your life. Do not excuse your actions but understand what the sin is in your life. Go to God with that sin and let Him have control.

Matt