May 13 - 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 20: David Messes with a Cover-Up

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 20

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

David thinks with the wrong head.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

David saw Bathsheba, a beautiful woman, bathing on her roof. He slept with her, knowing she was Uriah's wife. She became pregnant.
David first tried to cover his indiscretion. Then he had the army conspire to kill Uriah and then married Bathsheba.
Nathan convicted David through the story of a rich man taking a poor man's prized lamb. David's punishment would be a divided house, public humiliation, and the death of Bathsheba's child.
David unsuccessfully tried to assuage God's wrath. His son died.
Later, Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon.
David returned to war and a triumphant victory over the Ammonites.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

These acts seem out of character for David.

As the story progresses, you see flashes of a king who cares little for righteousness and more for protecting his name. It could be that David's power began to corrupt his morals. Beware of great power—it can intoxicate your morals until you no longer set things right.

David's cover-up was worse than his mess-up.

Unwilling to allow his name to be caught in a great scandal, he perpetrated an even worse scandal—the unjust killing of a fierce and loyal fighter. This is why Nathan confronts the murder and not the infidelity, "You murdered Uriah the Hittite, then took his wife as your wife. Worse, you killed him with an Ammonite sword!" (2 Samuel 12:9, The Message). Covering up our mistakes sets more things wrong than the mistakes themselves.

God does not remove His Spirit from David.

Part of why God does not remove His Spirit from David will be seen tomorrow in the Psalms. What should be seen today is that, unlike Saul, God does not remove His Spirit from David. This is chiefly because of David's heart being after God. Notice what happened after Nathan gave David his punishment, "David prayed desperately to God for the little boy. He fasted, wouldn't go out, and slept on the floor" (2 Samuel 12:16, The Message). People after God's Heart are not perfect. They are willing to humble themselves before God when they make mistakes.

David blasphemed against God when he married Bathsheba. But he kept her as his wife.

This is an important part of the story to remember. Not only did David keep Bathsheba as his wife, her next son, Solomon, had God's special love and would eventually become David's heir. God can set things right in any situation, even when what happened to get in the situation was a mistake.

May we learn from David's mistake—and not cover our mistakes!

May 1 - 2 Samuel 5:1-10; 1 Chronicles 11-12: David's Crowning Achievement with His Warriors

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-10; 1 Chronicles 11-12

The Message

English Standard Version

We head back into David's life. Since we are reading in chronological order 2 Samuel 5 will be split up between today's and Saturday's readings. These ten verses and 1 Chronicles 11 discuss David becoming king and taking Jerusalem.
There are several Hebrew names in this section. If you are getting bogged down with the names, call them all "Fred" (except Uriah, but you'll understand that later).

Thought to Guide Your Reading

David is able to take a city no Israelite was able to take—even Joshua's generation.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

The tribes of Israel rallied around David. He led them into Zion (Jerusalem) and captured it, then referred to as the City of David. David grew more confident because God was with him.
A multitude of mighty men came under David's command. The "Thirty" were mighty warriors lead by the "Big Three." They performed heroic feats in battle. Abishai was a leader of the Thirty but was not one of the Big Three.
Men streamed in from all of the tribes. Some of the best warriors came from Benjamin—Saul's tribe.
The people feasted for three days during David's coronation.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

David takes Zion, a city that no one had captured.

The Jebusites had built a fortress so strong that the Israelites had not been able to defeat it, even during Joshua's day. David had honored God and God allowed him to take the stronghold. It became his crowning achievement—a city with his name.

David grows into a great leader with God's help.

David has become the king of Israel. His reign begins well, similar to Saul's reign. God is with him, so he "proceeded with a longer stride, a larger embrace" (2 Samuel 5:10; 1 Chronicles 11:9, The Message). When God is with His Chosen Leaders, they become great leaders. We will see that David stays away from most of Saul's pride issues (but not all).

Uriah was also one of the Thirty.

Remember that name. Uriah the Hittite is with David from the beginning.

Do you see your leaders walking with a greater stride, a larger embrace because God is on their side?