David: The Price of Greatness IV
One of the things I love about King David is his flaws. We have been trained to look at greatness through the eyes of perfection. When in reality, perfection is an impossibility on this side of heaven. Noone exhibits this union of imperfection and greatness, in my opinion, better than King David. And nowhere is this highlighted better in his life, than in his relationships.
5. Relationships
We have touched on the volatile relationship between David and Saul. But, there are other key relationships that coloured David’s reign, some of which threatened to destroy his kingdom.
a) Jonathan
As the son of King Saul, Jonathan was the apparent heir to the throne. He had proven himself in battle and was a close confidante to his father. However, he was not God’s choice for king.
Jonathan formed a close friendship with David.
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.
1 Samuel 18:1
Jonathan willingly aligned himself with God’s will, much to the dismay of his father. God used him to preserve David’s life and to encourage him while he was in exile. Much can be said about Jonathan, and we shall do so next Tuesday ☺.
As with all relationships, this one had to come to an end.
So Saul and his three sons and his armour-bearer and all his men died together that same day.
1 Samuel 31:6
How the mighty have fallen in battle!
Jonathan lies slain in your heights.
I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother;
you were very dear to me.
Your love for me was wonderful,
more wonderful than that of women.
2 Samuel 1:25-26
In life and in death, David honoured his friendship with Jonathan.
“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
2 Samuel 9: 7
Lesson 1:
The story of David cannot be told without Jonathan. Some call this a ‘divine relationship‘ others talk about Jonathan being David’s ‘destiny helper’ . Whatever title you give their friendship, it is clear that David needed Jonathan, on his path to rulership.
There are certain people that God brings our way. They may be there for a season, or for a lifetime. They may appear to be a threat to your position ( the obvious king vs. God’s choice of king). If you go by the world’s wisdom of self promotion and preservation, you may ignore these relationships, to your own peril. When God brings these relationships (God, not you), honour them. Hold on to them and give them the honour due.
And when the time comes for these relationships to end ( ended by God, not by you), continue to honour them.
b) Bathsheba
History tells us that Bathsheba was the granddaughter of Ahithophel, one of David’s close advisors. We know from Scripture that she was the mother of Solomon( whom we shall encounter in this series). But perhaps what is best known about Bathsheba is the scandal surrounding her union with David, which is recorded in 2 Samuel 11.
David was supposed to be at war. Instead, he opted to send his cousin, Joab, to represent him, while he stayed in the palace. As he walked on the rooftop, he saw Bathsheba, taking a bath, desired her and slept with her. All the while, he knew she was a married woman. As fate would have it, she fell pregnant and the fallout of his actions began to follow David.
i) Unnecessary Death
David knew he had sinned. Rather than acknowledge his sin, he tried to cover it up. And this cover up led to the death of an innocent man, who unknowingly carried his own death sentence.
In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so that he will be struck down and die.”[…] some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.
2 Samuel 11:15-17
To recap, David sinned. He broke the law of God, by sleeping with Bathsheba. This in spite of his assertion:
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
To deal with his unlawful act, he sentenced Uriah and other innocent soldiers to death.
Lesson 2:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
FYI
God continues to honour Uriah to date, by featuring his name in the genealogy of Jesus:
[…] David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
Matthew 1:6
ii) A Family Divided
God was not pleased with David’s actions, and passed judgement on his action.
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ “
2 Samuel 12:11
David, too unknowingly judged himself (see 2 Samuel 12 for context).
David did lose 4 sons:
☆His son, born to him by Bathsheba, died. ( 2 Samuel 12:18)
☆Amnon – who was killed by Absalom, for sleeping with Absalom’s sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13)
☆ Absalom – who under the advice of Ahithophel (surprise, surprise) slept with David’s concubines on the rooftop, for all to see (2 Samuel 16:21-22). He was killed by Joab (2 Samuel 18:14-15).
☆Adonijah – he was killed by Solomon, for threatening his throne ( 1 Kings 2:25).
☆Tamar, the innocent daughter, lived life as a desolate woman, as a result of the guilty actions of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:20).
In all this division, David never took decisive action against his sons.
Lesson 3:
Your position does not shield you from the consequences of your actions. Sooner or later, you will have to face them.
Lesson 4:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Lesson 5:
No matter how far you have fallen, God is willing and able to forgive you:
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin[…]
2 Samuel 12:13
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
c) Nathan
Nathan was a prophet God used to guide David, playing the role that Samuel was to fill for Saul. God used Nathan to call out David’s sin and bring him into repentance.(2 Samuel 12)
God also used Nathan to stop David from building the Lord a temple, a role He had reserved for Solomon.
he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.”
That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan saying, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?[…] Nathan reported to David all the words of the entire revelation.
2 Samuel 7:1-17
Lesson 6:
God places Nathan’s in our lives. People who God uses to call us out and to redirect us. Not everyone in your life is a Nathan. But when God sends them your way, do not let pride and position stop you from heeding their advice.
How can you spot a Nathan?
- They have a close walk with God
- If they get it wrong, they don’t hold on to their wrong advice. They come back and correct their advice.
- They do not force their words on you. They present them to you and give you the freedom and space to make your own decisions.
Your Turn
We were created as relational creatures. As such, it is easy to take our relationships for granted. Yet, we cannot get to our “position” without relationships. David needed Samuel, Saul, Eliab, Joab, Gad, Abner to mention but a few.
How do you relate with others?
The E.N.D 😊