2 Samuel 12:15-31 - The Consequences of Sin

2 Samuel 12:15b-31

Then the Lord struck the child that Uriah's widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. (15b) 

Message: The Consequences of Sin

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 11 records David's sin with Bathsheba. Chapter 12 begins with Nathan and the Lord confronting David with the sin when he had tried hard to escape from it without notice, but there are consequences and this section begins with that consequence - the death of the baby conceived during the act of indiscretion. The child starts out by being very sick. In response, "David fasted." And then the child died and this is confirmed to David. In response David worshipped the Lord. He then began to eat which surprised his servants as they wondered why David responded and he said he fasted while the child was still alive but now that God made his decision he returns to eating. 

David comforts Bathsheba. He lays with her and she has another son - Solomon. 

"Joab fought against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon." David responds by assembling the rest of the soldiers and then capturing the city for Joab. The crown of the king of Rabbah placed on David's head. Then David returned to Jerusalem. 

David petitioned God through fasting and yet the child did not recover and died. We got to God and petition to him but when things don't work out the way we would like our response to God continues. We accept his decision and move on. We trust Him. 

Summary: The child born to Bathsheba dies and David accepts this and God in his mercy grants the couple a new child in Solomon. 

Promise: God will forgive anyone who repents, but some sins have lasting consequences. 

Prayer: Lord, you are righteous and fair. Sin has consequences that we see often. You forgive, but still we can't expect that everything will always be normal afterwards. There will be hurts at times. Lord, let me continue to seek You. I pray many will turn to You, understand their sin and trust in You. 

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