Day #134

Sermon - Audio
1 Chronicles 20 & 2 Samuel 11-12 - Audio
1 Chronicles 20 & 2 Samuel 11-12 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

2 Samuel 11

• The scriptures never hide the flaws of even the best of the followers of God. Here we find David, a man after God’s own heart, falling in a huge way. By the end of the chapter he has broken at least 4 of the 10 commandments, namely, do not murder, do not commit adultery, to not bear false witness and do not covet your neighbor’s wife.
• The central problem in David’s sin is not that he broken 4 of the 10 commandments but that he forgot who was truly King. David’s behavior was acceptable for any king who believed himself to be THE ruler, but it was totally unacceptable for one who realized he is under the authority of a holy and righteous God. He got the story wrong
• 11.1: The spring is the time to go out to battle because the rains have stopped and the harvest has not yet begun.
• 11.1: There is disagreement on whether it was wrong for David to have stayed in Jerusalem rather than being with his troops. As king he had other duties that might have kept him in Jerusalem and we know of other kings of the era who sent their generals out without them. Also, we know that David had once almost been killed in battle and so his troops had determined to protect him. 2 Samuel 21.15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels [b] and who was armed with a new sword , said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, "Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished." At the same time the fact that the Ark was with the troops speaks of this as being a holy war where even God was in attendance and yet David stays behind.
• 11.1: This war/battle is a continuation of the war/battle against Ammon that began in Chapter 10.
• 11.2: Cool breezes on hot afternoons came down into Jerusalem. The roof of the house (which was flat) was a good place to enjoy these breezes.
• 11.2: The beautiful woman (notice no name yet) was carrying out ritual cleansing after her period. One thing is clear: because she is purifying herself after her period, David has to be the father of the child that results from their sexual encounter. A second thing is not clear: why is this beautiful woman bathing in a place she can be seen from the king’s roof? We assume innocence, but some rabbis point out that she may have been trying to get David’s attention.
• 11.3: Bathsheba is the wife of one of David’s mighty men, a daughter of one of his military leaders and the granddaughter of one of his most trusted advisors. David knows who she is.
• 11.5: The punishment for adultery is death. Bathsheba leaves it in David’s hands what he will do about the situation.
• 11.6: The faithfulness of a non-Israelite (Uriah the Hittite) stands in bold contrast to the unfaithful behavior of David.
• 11.11: The fact that the Ark is in the field shows this is a holy war. Uriah will not break the vows made for this holy war nor take advantage of a special privilege that his fellow soldiers do not have.
• 11.11: Some rabbis point out that Uriah snubs David by referring to Joab as “my lord” rather than speaking of David as his lord.
• 11.13: Even drunk Uriah will not break his vows or enjoy a night with his wife. Apparently drinking was not a special privilege.
• 11.14-17: David’s instructions are not followed by Joab. Instead Joab tries some unwise military tactics that result in the death not only of Uriah but also of other soldiers. As the soldiers of Israel counterattack they get too close to the wall and are shot by archers.
• 11.18-21: Joab covers up his military screw up by making sure David knows that Uriah died in the battle.
• 11.25,27: “Do not let this matter trouble you” is literally, “do not let this matter be evil in your eyes”. In verse 27 we read that thing that David had done has “displeased the LORD”. Literally it is, “the thing David had done was evil in the eyes of the LORD.” The bold contrast shows that David has no idea how badly he has messed up.

2 Samuel 12

• 12.1: The role of prophets in the Old Testament included reminding kings of God’s call on their lives and when they failed in that call.
• 12.5: The Torah does not demand death for the stealing of sheep. David’s response may be along the line of what we say when we see injustice, “He ought to be shot!”
• 12.5: David’s call for restitution of 4 times what was stolen is in line with the Torah (Ex. 221.) What is unsettling is to look at the life of David from this point forward and see that 4 of his sons die.
• 12.7: Nathan’s “You’re the man!” departs significantly from the meaning of the phrase in our day.
• 12.8: A new king would take the wives of a former king in order to maintain the treaty obligations made through royal marriages.
• 12.9: David despises God’s word by breaking 4 of the 10 commandments and by abusing the power that God has given him.
• 12.10: The sword does not depart from David’s house during David’s reign. The curse, however, does not overwhelm David’s house. Instead God gives David a son named Solomon whose name means, “my peace”. During Solomon’s reign there will be peace in the house of David.
• 12.11-12: This will happen when Absalom revolts against David.
• 12.13: David’s response is quick and sincere. He repents. This is different than King Saul who always tried to negotiate his way out of his sin.
• 12.15: Nathan will not have a meal with David at this point because of his sin.
• 12.16-19: Fasting is combined with prayer by David to show his repentance. But his servants believe he is fasting out of mourning. Therefore, when the child dies they are concerned of what David will do next when he is already so deep in fasting and prayer.
• 12.20: “worshipped” i.e. he accepted God’s punishment and honored God
• 12.24: This is the first time Bathsheba is called “David’s wife”. God punishment on David’s house will continue, but he now blesses even this marriage that began in such a sordid way.
• 12.25: Jedidiah means “beloved of Yahweh”
• 12.26: The author takes us back to the battle that started the entire David, Uriah, and Bathsheba episode.
• 12.27: “city of waters” would be the city that held the water supply for Rabbah. With the fall of the water supply all of Rabah would soon fall.
• 12.30: This is ceremonial crown that weighed 75 pounds. It may have been part of the pagan cult of Rabbah.
• 12.31: Forced labor was often the fate of those who were conquered.

1 Chronicles 20 -- Remember the theme of Chronicles is “What makes for a good society?”

• 20.1-3: These verses condense a huge piece of material from 2 Samuel 11 and 12. In those chapters we are told of David’s adultery with Bathsheba, Nathan’s rebuke of David, the death of David’s son and the birth of Solomon. All of this is skipped over by he writer of Chronicles as he presents us with the picture of what makes for a good society and a good leader. He chooses to stick with positive examples of this in the case of both David and Solomon.
• 20.1: This war/battle is a continuation of the war/battle against Ammon that began in Chapter 19.
• 20.2: This is ceremonial crown that weighed 75 pounds. It may have been part of the pagan cult of Rabbah. Rabbah was the chief goddess of the Ammonites.
• 20.3: Forced labor was often the fate of those who were conquered.
• 20.4-8: These verses are basically paralleled in 2 Samuel 21.15-21: Again, the Chronicler leaps over a large part of material to bring us to this place. Most importantly he ignores the rebellion of Absalom and Sheba against David. A good society, well run and enjoyed by the people does not have rebellions. The only reason for these rebellions is that David stepped away from building a good society.
• 20.4: Gezer is an important city along the trade route the Via Maris. It is a crossroads city. The one who controlled this city, controlled the lucrative trade route. The Philistines know this and so try to capture it.
• 20.5-8: David is not the only one to slay a giant. The picture of giant slayers brings us back to the importance of heroes in a good society.