“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

2 Samuel 12:1-10

The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.

4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”

5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

This week we are focusing on the story of David and Bathsheba. It marks a turning point in David’s life, shifting his narrative from a series of triumphs to a cycle of political and personal turmoil. While his army was off at war, David stayed behind in Jerusalem, and from his rooftop, noticed Bathsheba bathing. David called for her and slept with her; despite knowing she was married to Uriah – one of his soldiers. Later, Bathsheba sent word to David that she was pregnant. It was at that point that David went into full cover-up mode.

His first attempt involved calling Uriah in from the battle lines, with the hopes of him going home and sleeping with Bathsheba, providing a cover for the pregnancy. However, Uriah refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were in the field. So, David shifted to plan B. He sent Uriah to the front lines with a letter to his general, Joab, instructing him to place Uriah where the fighting was the fiercest and then withdraw, ensuring Uriah’s death.

All of this leads to our text for today with this exchange between Nathan and David. Nathan, the prophet, told David the story about the rich man stealing the poor man’s lamb and then finished by saying to David, “You are the man!” David was convicted in his sin as he replied to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Psalm 51 was written by David after his encounter with Nathan and began with the words, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions…for I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

David could not go back in time and erase what happened with Bathsheba or Uriah. All he could do was confess his sin to God, accept full responsibility, and ask for God’s Spirit to renew him. Much like David, that is all any of us can do with our sin, and like David, we give thanks today for a God who forgives and offers new life again.

Prayer: Gracious and forgiving God, we thank you for the opportunity for a fresh start today. We confess our sin honestly and openly to you. Help us to accept responsibility, but also to receive your grace and forgiveness. Amen.

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:

Why do you think Nathan chose a story as a means of confronting David?
Our best friends are not afraid to tell us the truth – even when it is uncomfortable and painful. In some ways, Nathan was a friend to David. He wanted what was best for him. Who has been Nathan for you? When have you been a Nathan for others?
Read Psalm 51 – What does it teach us about God? Humans? The relationship between us and God?
How did the confrontation between Nathan and David change David’s character for the rest of his reign as King of Israel?

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