Saturday 2nd November
Read 2 Samuel 12:21-25
“His attendants asked him, ‘Why are you acting in this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!’
22 He answered, ‘While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, “Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.” 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.’
24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; 25 and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.” (NIVUK)
David explains his actions with reference to God’s grace. He finally grasps that God is generous and he has been selfish. There is much to consider in his attitude to prayer. He pleaded with God despite knowing God’s will but was not bitter when his prayer was not answered the way he desired. He sought to change God’s mind but accepted God’s will. There is a maturity there that not many attain.
David’s restoration following his sin is astounding. It is reflected in the final verses of today’s reading where Bathsheba is no longer ‘Uriah’s wife’ and he responded as a husband should to the death of a child. The son born to them was beloved by the Lord and would eventually become king after David. The cycle of death is replaced with love and comfort.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” (Philippians 2:1-2) (NIVUK)
