Bible Studies
David Gives Occasion for Blasphemy (2 Sam. 11:1-5)
Series: Studies in Second SamuelIntroduction:
1. In previous studies we have considered David God’s great king. 2. God took him from shepherding sheep and made him king over all of His people. 3. Samuel described him as “a man after God’s own heart.” 4. In 2 Sam. 7 God promised to build a house for David and to establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 5. 2 Sam. 8 and the parallels in 1 Chron. 18-19 further describe the strengthening of his kingdom.a. He conquered the Philistines, taking their great city of Gath (1 Chron. 18:1).
b. He defeated Hadadezar and established his rule to the River Euphrates.
c. He defeated the Arameans.
d. Tou of Hamath paid him tribute.
e. Ammon and Aram were ultimately defeated.
6. BUT during the war with the Ammonites David’s life took a radical turn.Discussion:
I. David sinned (2 Sam. 11:1-5).A. It is amazing how in one evening your whole life can take such a radical turn. In one moment you can make a decision that will affect your children and your grandchildren. Be careful with every moment and every decision.
B. With the events that began one evening and then continued through that year David’s life would never be the same.
C. He violated at least five of the Ten Commandments.
1. He coveted his neighbor’s wife.
2. He took what did not belong to him, thus he was guilty of stealing.
3. He committed adultery.
4. He tried to deceive others into believing he was innocent, so he bore false witness.
5. He committed murder.
D. The Lord sent Nathan to rebuke David.
E. God had lavished blessings upon David (12:7-8).
1. He had anointed him king over Israel.
2. He had delivered him from Saul.
3. He had given him Saul’s house, Saul’s wives, the house of Israel and Judah.
4. And would have given him many more things than these.
F. David had despised the word of the Lord.
II. The consequences were severe (2 Sam. 12:11-14).A. “The sword will never depart from your house.”
B. “I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will take your wives and give them to your companion.”
C. The child that was born to David and Bathsheba died.
D. David had eight wives: Michal (Saul’s daughter), Abigail (the widow of Nabal), Bathsheba, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Ahinoam and Eglah. He was blessed with a passel of handsome, intelligent children, but he lived to see his family torn apart by jealousies, intrigue, rape, murder and public shame.
1. Ahinoam had a son named Amnon.
2. Maacah had a son named Absalom and a beautiful daughter named Tamar.
3. Amnon was in love with Tamar and with the help of cousin Jonadab devised a plan to be alone with her. Amnon raped Tamar. Absalom hated Amnon for raping his sister, but he bided his time.
4. David was angry when he heard what had happened. But the text says nothing about him intervening in the situation. Did his own sin inhibit him? David had not restrained himself and now Amon had not restrained himself. How could David protest the sin of his son? A sin so similar to his own?
5. After two years Absalom killed Amnon and fled. He was gone for three years.
a. David grieved over Amnon. He and his servants wept bitterly.
b. “And David mourned for his son (Absalom) every day” (13:37).
E. When David is finally persuaded to invite Absalom back to Jerusalem he does not see him face to face for two full years. In effect, he was exiled in Jerusalem.
1. Absalom was handsome. He had three sons and a daughter that he named Tamar, possibly after his sister, and she was beautiful in appearance.
2. He negotiated so that he could see David, which evidently validated his position among the people and from there he began to gain a following.
3. He became so powerful that David had to flee Jerusalem.
4. David left ten concubines in his house and Absalom took over as king. In the ancient world a new king would demonstrate his power by taking over the previous kings herem. Absalom pitched a tent on the roof and went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
5. David had taken another man’s wife and tried to keep it a secret. Now his son took his wives and publically shamed him (16:20ff).
F. But the consequences were not over.
1. A battle was shaping up between David’s forces and the forces of Absalom. David feared that Absalom would be killed.
2. David said, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom” (18:5).
3. 20,000 were killed in the battle.
4. Absalom was riding a mule. His head was caught fast in an oak so that the mule was no longer under him and there he hung, vulnerable as could be. David’s commander, Joab, killed him.
5. When the report reached David’s ears he wept saying, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (18:33).
III. The lessons are plain.A. God knows your sin.
B. Even sins committed privately can have far-reaching consequences.
C. Sin results in grief.
D. Sin gives occasion for the enemies of God to blaspheme—sin hinders our influence for the Lord (Matt. 5:14-15).
E. Sin results in death.
1. The death of Uriah (and the others who were slain to cover Uriah’s death). How many families were marred by David’s sin?
2. The death of the child. Yes innocent people are hurt by your sin.
3. The death of Amnon. Have you been comprised in rebuking the sins of your children, by your own sin only to see them experience indirectly the consequence of your sin?
4. The death of Absalom.
5. The death of Christ.
F. Sin can be forgiven.
1. But it is costly!
2. It results in grief even though it is forgiven.
3. It costs the lives of sons and daughters.
4. It costs the life of God’s own son.
Conclusion:
1. In one evening, with one wrong decision, you can bring more grief than you can imagine. 2. Be careful with every moment and every decision. 3. You are changing the course of the world. 4. Live your life in a way that brings glory to the Father. Do not give the enemies of the Lord further occasion to blaspheme Him.
