The Two Main Reasons David was Forgiven
In 2 Samuel we read of the grievous sin of King David. He sees Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, bathing. In his lust he sends for her, she comes to him, they lie together, and she conceives (2 Sam. 11:1-5). David is now in a real predicament. What is David going to do to cover up his sin?
After numerous attempts fail to have Uriah, an officer in his army, come home to be with Bathsheba, David notifies his half-nephew and commander of his army, Joab, to participate in a scheme that would lead to Uriah’s death in battle. The battle ensues, Uriah is abandoned and killed, and the cover up seems complete. But the prophet Nathan comes to David on behalf of God and exposes King David’s adultery, lying, and murder.
When one reads the developments in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, it is hard to see how such a high handed, calculated sin by David could be forgiven. But we need to remember God’s forgiving nature, especially when our response to personal sin is what God requires. Beyond God’s abundant and matchless grace, it seems that there were two main reasons that David’s terrible deeds were completely forgiven.
1. David fully repented. In response to Nathan’s parable and accusation of David’s guilt, David simply said, “I have sinned against Jehovah” (2 Sam. 12:13). There were no excuses. Furthermore, there was recognition that the sin was not just against humanity – it was an act that was directly in opposition to God’s divine instruction. Every sin we ever commit is a sin against God. When we realize the gravity of sin and we fully admit our own personal defiance to God’s law, with a desire for change, God will forgive.
2. David accepted God’s punishment in faith. The King did not walk away unscathed. Sin has consequences. The child that was conceived and subsequently born died, despite all of David’s fervent prayers. David was also informed by God that his family would suffer division and public turmoil and deception and even the same immorality David had engaged in because of David’s choices.
Truly the King cried many tears over the years because of the fruit borne by his sinful activity. But in response to God’s discipline, David washed himself, changed his clothes, ate his bread, and worshiped the Lord (2 Sam. 12:20).
David could have reacted in a lot of ways. When his error was exposed he could have blamed his human nature, as many often do. He could have become angry with Nathan for calling him out, perhaps deflecting his sin by explaining some of the prophet’s shortcomings. He could have noted all of his days of faithfulness to God and the great courageous warrior he had been for the Lord in times past. He could have blamed Bathsheba for exposing herself on the rooftop. He could have done and said a lot of things that would have kept him from being forgiven.
We can actually learn something from King David that I believe is crucial to our hope. We are all going to sin. It doesn’t matter if you are a king, elder, judge, president, preacher, CEO, policeman, grandparent, or whatever title you have been given or whatever maturity you might have obtained. It is important to own up to your sin when it is brought to your attention. It is imperative for you to fully repent and show a desire for change in your heart and mind and life. And it is important, that you not lose your faith in God when you are punished for unrighteousness. There will always be temporal consequences to sin. But they don’t have last for an eternity.
We CAN change and we CAN be forgiven of any sin, no matter how grievous. But in order for that to happen, our hearts must be soft. We need to have the heart of David, who had a heart like God’s (Acts 13:22).
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
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AUTHOR: Jeremiah Tatum
Photo background credit: Ross Griff on Creative Commons
