TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 22:1-16
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life. - Revelation 2:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
“And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time.” These lines from T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartetsspeak of a return to origins. They beautifully sum up the movement of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. When the redeemed human race comes home to the New Jerusalem, we’ll discover the Garden of Eden anew in the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life grows in the Garden of Eden in Genesis and before the gates of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 22. Its tantalizing presence bookends the entire story of salvation. Why? Why is this image given so prominent a place in Scripture?

This month, as the autumn leaves have brought vivid color to many places, we have seen how different trees in Scripture symbolize Israel, the Messiah, the church, and the godly person. We have seen how trees represent both death and life. We have heard how we ourselves are called to be fruit-bearing trees for God’s glory, “plantings for the display of his splendor,” full of sap, green with growth and life in God’s courts. We have learned that wisdom is a tree of life and that Jesus is the true Vine.

All of the life-giving qualities associated with trees in Scripture are present in this final image of the Tree of Life, but in heightened ways. Its roots are in the “water of life” that flows from God’s throne (v. 2); it is continually fruitful, not just once a year; its leaves are medicinal, not just for one people, but “for the healing of the nations” (v. 2). This tree images the abundance of life that God offers to all who come into His kingdom (v. 14).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city” (v. 14). We’re told earlier in John’s vision that many washed their robes “white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14). With such an astoundingly good gift before us, let us pray to the Lord to clothe us in His robes of righteousness and to make us clean within. Thus we may more fully participate in His resurrection life now and anticipate its fullness in the New Jerusalem. Amen!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 1:1-16
David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to liftyour hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” - 2 Samuel 1:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
David is one of the Old Testament’s most colorful and memorable people.

Samuel had anointed David, at that time a fifteen-year-old shepherd boy, as the next king of Israel. Although King Saul had been rejected by the Lord, David didn’t view that as a mandate to take over the kingdom by force. Instead, he waited on God’s timing, hiding from Saul and living in exile with a loyal band of fighters.

As 2 Samuel opens, we’ve come to a turning point. Saul and Jonathan had died in battle; today’s reading records David’s response to that news.

Probably hoping for a reward for bringing word of an enemy’s death, the Amalekite messenger told David that he himself had killed Saul. He brought the king’s crown and armband as proof. How had he acquired them? Perhaps he was a mercenary soldier who had seized an opportunity, or a battlefield scavenger who had reached the bodies first.

Despite his “proof,” from 1 Samuel 31 we know the messenger was lying. Saul had fallen on his own sword and committed suicide. Unaware of this, however, David sentenced the man to death for killing the “Lord’s anointed” (vv. 14–16).

In this incident, we see David’s zeal for honoring the Lord. By weeping, tearing his clothes, and fasting, he showed genuine grief over Saul’s death. Why? Not because the king had been a righteous man or a good friend, or because he’d accomplished great things, but simply because of his God-ordained status as king. Because of that status, David hadn’t taken his own anointing as a license to depose Saul. He’d even twice spared Saul’s life and refused to face him in battle (e.g., 1 Sam. 24).

By putting the messenger to death, David also showed his zeal for God’s law. Life for life, God had said long ago, and on the basis of the man’s own testimony, David honored and obeyed Scripture (Ex. 20:13).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you’re interested in devotional readings covering the earlier life of David, we encourage you to read through our July 1999 issue on 1 Samuel. Knowing the background of David’s path to the throne of Israel should help you get even more out of this month’s study.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 1:17-27
They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. - 2 Samuel 1:23
TODAY IN THE WORD
The lament is a common literary form in the Old Testament. Typically, it is a poetic expression of grief for someone who has died, normally a king or a great hero. Its subject might also be a city or a nation. The expressions of grief are exaggerated in order to convey the greatness of the person’s achievements and of the poet’s sorrow over his death.

Lament poems are found in many psalms (e.g., Psalm 102) and in every prophetic book except Haggai (e.g, Amos 5:1–17). The book of Lamentations consists entirely of such poems.

In today’s reading, David lamented Israel’s defeat and the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. His theme, or refrain, was “How the mighty have fallen!” (vv. 19, 25, 27). As God’s chosen leaders, Saul and Jonathan represented the nation, which is why David referred to them as the “glory” of Israel.

In his song, David forbade the pagan Philistines from rejoicing over their victory and cursed Mt. Gilboa, scene of the battle (vv. 20–21). These rhetorical devices highlight the significance and impact of this disastrous event. The reference to Saul’s shield is clearer when we understand that ancient leather shields were regularly treated with oil to keep them clean, polished, and ready for use.

Next, David praised the virtues of the fallen heroes--their courage, strength, and nobility (vv. 22–23). Through the picture of a father (v. 24), David also eulogized Saul as a good provider, an important responsibility for a king.

Because Jonathan had been his close friend, David’s grief over him was more personal and intense (v. 26). The statement that their love was “more wonderful than that of women” has no impure connotations, nor is it even literally comparative, but instead figuratively expresses the deep commitment and high value of their friendship (cf. 1 Sam. 18:1).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Has someone close to you died recently? Have you lost a person you loved or respected? In the face of death, grief is natural, as David demonstrated in his lament for Saul and Jonathan.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 2:1-7
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. - 2 Samuel 2:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
The British coronation ceremony has remained essentially the same for more than one thousand years! It is conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey in London. Political and religious leaders from many countries attend. After taking an oath to uphold the law, the new monarch is anointed and crowned. The participants give homage to the new ruler, then take communion.

When Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England on June 2, 1953, the ceremony was broadcast on radio and television around the world. In a way previously impossible, hundreds of thousands of ordinary people could witness this momentous occasion.

After his initial anointing by Samuel, David waited fifteen years to ascend to the throne. Finally, the day arrived!

Even though Saul was dead, David didn’t presume to seize the throne. He asked God what to do, and was told to go up to Hebron. Centrally located in Judah, Hebron was an ancient and historically important city. Abraham lived near there most of his life, and during the conquest it had been given to Caleb (Gen. 13:18; Josh. 14:14).

David went to Hebron with his men and was anointed king of the southern part of Israel. A native of Judah, David had friends among the leaders there. This second anointing was a public recognition of David’s right to rule--the first anointing by Samuel revealed that he was God’s anointed king.

David’s first act as king was to continue honoring Saul. He officially thanked the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had staged a daring rescue of Saul and his sons’ bodies when they heard that the Philistines were desecrating them (1 Sam. 31:8–13). This account ties up Saul’s story rather neatly, since his kingship had begun with him rescuing the residents of Jabesh Gilead (1 Sam. 11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Instead of assuming what he should do--which under the circumstances seemed obvious--David asked God (v. 1). That’s a good principle for us to follow.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 2:8-3:1
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear. - Psalm 27:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Civil war has been raging in the Sudan, Africa’s largest country, for about eighteen years. Deep religious and ethnic differences divide the Arab Muslim northerners from the black, mostly Christian and animist, southerners. Rebels want independence for the south, which the government won’t allow.

During the war, more than two million people have died, some in the fighting and others due to war-related famines. Villages and homes have been burned, the economy has been demolished, and the war is still being fought today.

No war is pretty, but civil war can be especially ugly. That was certainly the turmoil recorded in today’s reading.

Following Saul’s death, northern Israel was in disarray. Though David ruled in the south, the north hadn’t accepted him as king. There was apparently a power vacuum for several years, during which time the Philistines encroached on Jewish territory. Eventually, Abner, an army commander and Saul’s cousin, installed Ish-Bosheth, a surviving son of Saul, as king. But because of political instability and military insecurity, the new king was forced to rule from Mahanaim, on the east side of the Jordan River.

During these years, David might have tried to force the vulnerable north to acknowledge him as king, but there’s no indication that he did so. Instead, we can infer that David was still waiting on God’s timing.

The two sides were at first reluctant to start a civil war. But when a twelve-on-twelve battle ended in a draw, a full-scale conflict broke out. David’s men won a decisive victory, one that might have been total if Abner hadn’t made a desperate plea (v. 26). This led to a ceasefire, and everyone marched home.

Unfortunately, during the battle Abner had been forced to kill Asahel, Joab’s brother. Joab was David’s commander; he, Asahel, and Abishai were also the king’s nephews. This incident started a blood feud that eventually ended in murder (2 Sam. 3:27).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we get further into 2 Samuel, you might feel the need for additional Bible study tools, including commentaries and reference works on ancient Jewish history and culture. One helpful book is Archaeology and the Old Testamentby Alfred Hoerth, published by Baker. The author has gathered a great deal of valuable historical and cultural material into a single volume.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 4:1-12
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious. - Proverbs 24:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
Earlier this year, the king and queen of Nepal, along with seven other members of the royal family, were killed by a man wielding a machine gun. The alleged murderer? The crown prince, who was reportedly upset that his parents were opposing his plans to marry his girlfriend.

According to eyewitnesses, Prince Dipendra got drunk, took an M-16 and other weapons to the drawing room, fired continuously for about two minutes, and ended by turning his gun on himself. Traumatized Nepalese, many of whom believe their rulers are divine, rioted in the streets for days afterward.

In today’s reading, King Ish-Bosheth of Israel was assassinated in his bed.

The king had accused Abner of making a play for the throne, and in anger Abner defected to David. In the process, Joab killed Abner out of revenge. David’s grief and fasting publicly demonstrated his innocence. Though Joab had too much clout to be executed for his crime, David cursed him (2 Sam. 3:39).

With Abner gone, the northern power vacuum intensified, and the hapless Ish-Bosheth had no one to prop him up. Under the circumstances, it’s not surprising that two violent men snuck in during the siesta hour and stabbed him. By traveling all night to give David the news, they showed that they expected to be rewarded. After all, wasn’t Ish-Bosheth the enemy? They even cloaked their actions in words of fake piety, giving God the “credit” for their evil act (v. .

We’ve heard this story before. Apparently Baanah and Recab hadn’t, so David told them how he’d responded to the news of Saul’s death. Because he honored God, he honored the king--plus, he’d vowed not to wipe out Saul’s family (1 Sam. 24:20–22). For their deed these two men forfeited their lives. Their bodies were hung out as a warning, while their victim’s head received a proper burial.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
David went to great lengths to respect authority. Even when Saul was hunting him, and even after Ish-Bosheth started a civil war, he respected their status as anointed kings.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 5:1-16
David knew the Lord had established him as king over Israel. - 2 Samuel 5:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
Skeptics had argued that David wasn’t an actual person, but a patriotic myth invented by later Israelites. They supported their case by pointing out that no extra-biblical sources referring to David had ever been found.

But in 1993, archaeologists uncovered an inscription mentioning the “king of Israel” and the “House of David.” Written in Aramaic on a broken basalt stone monument, it dates from the ninth century B.C., only a century after David’s lifetime. The discovery is made even more credible by the fact that the inscription was issued by an enemy--the monument commemorates a victory over Israel by the king of Damascus.

The King David we’re studying this month isn’t exciting fiction, but a real person doing real actions in the historical plan of our very real God.

In the wake of Ish-Bosheth’s assassination, the north showed awareness of David’s anointed status and acknowledged his right to the throne (v. 2; cf. Ps. 78:70–72). By treaty, they accepted him as king and anointed him--his third anointing as king.

David had waited a long time for God’s promise to be fulfilled--15 years from his anointing by Samuel to becoming king of Judah, and another seven and a half years from then to the time of today’s reading.

Hebron was too far south to be the national capital, so David celebrated his coronation by conquering a new one. Jerusalem’s occupation by Jebusites was a legacy of the incomplete conquest (Josh. 15:63). These Canaanites felt quite secure, because Jerusalem was fortified and set on a hill. But Joab led a war party through a water shaft, perhaps a tunnel from a nearby spring, into the city (v. . There they probably surprised the guards and opened the gates for the rest of David’s army.

Early in his reign, David also built a new palace, took many wives and concubines--which violated Deuteronomy 17:17 but was culturally normal in those days--and had sons to ensure his dynasty.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A picture is worth a thousand words! To make Jerusalem, Hebron, and other settings in this month’s readings come alive, find an illustrated book about the Holy Land. Photographs of tourist sites and cities along with historical drawings will be of great help in visualizing the biblical narratives. You might also find resources on the Internet, such as www.mustardseed.net, which offers a virtual tour.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 6:1-11
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. - Psalm 96:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
When released, the Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system was the largest piece of commercial software ever written. Printed out, its 29 million lines of programming code would result in a stack of paper 19 stories high! It took more than 4,000 people working several years to create and debug this complex software.

Those many lines of programming contain instructions telling a computer what to do and when to do it. In other words, the fact that your computer runs smoothly is because it’s able to follow the software’s instructions exactly.

Instructions can make the difference between success and failure. That was certainly the case in today’s reading.

Early in his reign, David decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem. His heart was in the right place, but he didn’t study God’s instructions, so his attempt ended in tragedy.

The ark, a symbol of God’s presence, had been in Kiriath Jearim for about one hundred years. Long ago, the Philistines had captured it in battle, but returned it after experiencing plagues and broken idols (1 Sam. 4–6). It had remained in Kiriath Jearim through the days of Samuel and Saul.

David made preparations, but not the right ones. God’s instructions for transporting the ark said that Levites were to carry it with specially made poles (Ex. 25:12–14). The ark was to be treated as a holy object--anyone touching it improperly would die (Num. 4:15). Instead, David put the ark on a new cart. The Philistines had done so also, but David should have known better.

He and the others celebrated enthusiastically before the Lord (v. 5). But when Uzzah presumptuously reached out to steady the ark, he paid the price for his irreverence and for David’s failure to obey the Law. God’s righteous anger struck him dead (v. 7).

The procession halted and left the ark at the home of Obed-Edom, who apparently treated it reverently since his household was blessed during this time.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we’ve seen, God’s anger in today’s reading resulted from a failure to obey His Word. David and others probably acted in ignorance, but they should have known better.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 6:12-23
Arise, O Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. - Psalm 132:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers and organists in musical history, was also a fervent Christian. He wrote a great deal of music for worship services, in fact, nearly three-quarters of his one thousand works were for this purpose.

Famous compositions of his include the Christmas Oratorioand The Passion of St. Matthew,which has been called “the supreme cultural achievement of all Western civilization.” More than two hundred of his cantatas survive today, most of which conclude with a hymn and are closely tied to specific Bible passages.

Bach once noted in his Bible: “At a reverent performance of music, God is always at hand with His gracious presence.” Another time he wrote: “The aim and final reason of all music is none else but the glory of God.”

Music and worship were themes of King David’s life as well. To his credit, he didn’t give up after the disaster recorded in yesterday’s reading. The second time he brought the ark to Jerusalem, it was carried by Levites, as God had commanded (v. 13; 1 Chron. 15:11–15).

The sacrifices David offered at the beginning and end of the journey signified repentance for his earlier carelessness, thankfulness that God was no longer angry, and joy in His presence in Jerusalem. Notice that David’s radiant enthusiasm for worship was still there, as he danced before the Lord “with all his might” (vv. 14–15). Now that God’s instructions were being followed, the dancing, cheering, and trumpets were entirely appropriate and reverent.

David was dancing in a linen ephod, a kind of priestly garment, honoring the Lord at the head of the procession. But when his wife, Michal, saw him, she felt he was behaving improperly and even immodestly. Understanding neither the momentousness of the occasion nor the joy of worship, she despised him privately and mocked him to his face.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
After witnessing David’s exuberant worship in today’s reading, praising God seems a fitting response for us as well. This week, plan a special time of worship for yourself, your family, or your small group.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. - 2 Samuel 7:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
In a sermon, pastor John Piper said of today’s reading: “A succession of imperfect kings could never fulfill the promise. If God were true to His word, if He stuck by His job description in 2 Samuel 7, He would have to raise up a righteous, obedient son of David to take the throne. . . . So the surety of the covenant with David lies

ultimately in the fact that God Himself will come as king and sit upon the throne. When a covenant is conditional and yet is also certain, you can be sure God Himself will intervene to fulfill the conditions. . . . Therefore, beyond any shadow of a doubt the Bible teaches that the promise to David that his descendant would rule forever is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.”

Clearly, God’s covenant with David is a pivotal moment in biblical history.

David’s heart for worship led him to propose building a temple. He felt embarrassed that he lived in a palace while the sign of God’s presence, the ark, resided in a humble tent. Although God didn’t give David this privilege, He did give it to his son, Solomon. David made many preparations, however, including writing a psalm for the occasion (cf. Ps. 30).

Instead, God gave David a better gift: a pledge of covenant faithfulness. Through the prophet Nathan, He reminded the king that God was the One to receive the credit for David’s successful career. He promised to continue to make David’s name great--within the larger context of His own all-great name--and to give Israel security. He pledged that David’s son would rule, in fact, that David’s kingdom and throne would endure forever (vv. 14–16).

The word lovein verse 15 is the Hebrew word hesed, which appears 250 times in the Old Testament and strongly conveys God’s covenant faithfulness. It can also be translated “mercy,” “steadfast love,” or “lovingkindness.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As surely as God was working in David’s life, He’s working today in your life. Can you see His hand?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 7:18-29
For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing. - 2 Samuel 7:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
The hymn “Amazing Grace” rejoices: “Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.”

These classic words capture the spirit of David’s response to God’s covenant promises.

At the personal or family level, the king felt a sense of awe, wonder, and thankfulness in regard to God’s dealings with him. The Lord had lifted him from the sheep pasture to the royal palace and was to receive all the glory. Moreover, He had guaranteed that his son, Solomon, would succeed him and be given the honor of building a temple.

At the national level, David acknowledged that God was the One who had always taken care of Israel. From a human perspective, the king was responsible for guarding the nation, but David understood that he could rest in the protection of a greater King. God had guided and shielded Israel in the past, and would do so as well in the future.

Even beyond all this, David realized that the key part of this covenant was its eternal dimension: his throne and kingdom would endure forever. This was a promise far bigger than David or the short-term future. It looked beyond the nation of Israel. Nothing required God to make this covenant. Nothing David or Israel had done called for such a reward. It was God’s choice, His pleasure. Ultimately, it was about God’s glory (as indeed are all the biblical covenants): “For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. How great you are, O Sovereign Lord!” (vv. 21–22).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
David prayed that the promises God had just made to him would come true (vv. 25–26, 29). For him and for us, that’s a prayer guaranteed to be answered, “Yes!”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 8:1-15
The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. - 2 Samuel 8:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the 1590s, Admiral Sun-shin Yi of Korea became a national hero by soundly defeating three naval invasions by the mighty Japanese empire. He invented the world’s first ironclad warships. The 70-foot-long “turtle boats” were protected by double-thick iron plates embedded with spikes and daggers. Cannons and arrows could be fired from portholes along the side. Fast and maneuverable, “turtle boats” drew their name from the large turtle head at the bow of the ship, which could be used as a battering ram. Thanks to Sun-shin Yi, Japan didn’t try to invade Korea again for hundreds of years. The admiral’s “turtle boats” provided security for his homeland.

King David also won many victories over enemies who threatened his country’s security. God had promised in chapter 7 that this would be the case, and today’s verse shows that it was the Lord, more than military power or strategy, that was responsible for David’s string of victories.

David did not put his faith in numbers or weaponry. Following Joshua’s example, he didn’t keep more than one hundred of the chariots he captured (v. 4; Deut. 17:16). Several of his psalms praise the Lord for saving Israel from her enemies and giving victory (e.g., Ps. 60).

Whom did Israel defeat? Enemies from every direction, including local kings and troublesome neighbors such as David’s former “allies,” the Philistines. Ultimately, all of these were also enemies of God. These vanquished foes paid tribute to guarantee that Israel wouldn’t attack them in the future. This was customary under the circumstances at that time in history.

We must resist the temptation to evaluate the events of verse 2 by our own cultural standards. Since God was behind the victories, we can have confidence that His just will and plan were at work.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
David had his battles to fight, and so do we. To be prepared for daily spiritual warfare, we recommend that you memorize Ephesians 6:10–18, a well-known passage which includes a description of the Christian’s spiritual armor.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 9:1-13
Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord.” - 1 Samuel 20:42
TODAY IN THE WORD
It’s often easy to love family and friends. But Jesus asked: “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

Instead, Christ commanded us to go beyond human affections to imitate God’s divine love: “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:43–45).

Even before Christ came and taught this principle, David understood the heart of God and modeled it in today’s reading. He showed a supernaturally-motivated love for his enemy.

The enemy was the house of Saul. Any male descendant of Saul had a potential claim to the kingship, a threat that others in such circumstances would have eliminated.

David, on the other hand, sought out the crippled son of Jonathan and cared for him. He restored to Mephibosheth land belonging to the house of Saul, that is, he gave him an income. He bestowed on him the privilege of eating at the king’s table. He assigned servants to his household. He even allowed him to marry and have a son! Mephibosheth was humbly grateful, realizing that this was the opposite of what he could have expected.

In addition to loving someone who had nothing to offer him, David imitated God in the area of integrity. As we’ve been reminded this month, the Lord always keeps His promises. Years before, David had vowed to show kindness to Jonathan’s family (1 Sam. 20:14–15). Despite political and cultural barriers, he actively sought out the opportunity to keep his word. It’s significant that he used the same Hebrew word, hesed (“kindness”), that God had used in His covenant promise (v. 1; 2 Sam. 7:15).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In today’s reading, David provides us with a model of godly integrity. He had nothing to gain from keeping a promise to a dead friend, in fact, he might have regarded any relative of Saul as a rival. Nonetheless, he sought out Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth and liberally provided for him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 11:1-27
You shall not commit adultery - Exodus 20:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
In America today, pornography runs rampant in magazines, on videos, and throughout the Internet. Millions nationwide have fallen prey to temptation.

One poll found that twenty percent of American adults have visited a pornographic Web site, a number true for both non-Christians and Christians. In 1997, Americans spent in excess of eight billion dollars on pornography--more than the total box office receipts for all other movies!

Sexual sin begins in the eyes and in the heart, a truth proved by David in today’s reading. His desires gave birth to sin, and sin gave birth to death (James 1:13–15).

One evening, about ten years after the conquest of Jerusalem, David saw a beautiful woman bathing in her courtyard (which was customary then). It was spring, when kings usually went to war (v. 1). Perhaps David was neglecting his responsibilities--perhaps he should have been on the battlefield with his men.

Even if seeing Bathsheba was accidental, what David did next was deliberate sin. He acted on his lust by sending someone to get information. Even when he found out she was married to one of his soldiers, he was not deterred. He summoned her to the palace and they committed adultery.

The consequences of their sin surfaced quickly: Bathsheba was pregnant. Their sin would soon be obvious to all. So David tried to cover it with another sin, deception. Summoning her husband, Uriah, back from the war, he urged him to return home to sleep with his wife. This would explain her pregnancy, and their sin would go unnoticed. Out of loyalty to his fellow soldiers, however, Uriah didn’t depart (v. 11).

David next tried to cover his tracks with another sin--murder. He put Uriah in the thick of a battle and withdrew Joab’s troops. This cold-blooded plot worked, and with the husband out of the way, David took Bathsheba as one of his own wives.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If a man such as David can fall prey to sexual temptation, so can we. With that in mind, we encourage you today to do additional, in-depth Bible study on sexual morality.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Samuel 12:1-14
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. - Psalm 51:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Windows to the World: Literature in Christian Perspective, English professor Leland Ryken commented on the moral dimensions of stories:

“Literature interprets as well as presents human experience. This, too, enables it to heighten a reader’s awareness of life. Literature is always an implied comment about what is good and bad, desirable and undesirable, moral and immoral. . . . Literature is a calculated strategy to get a reader to approve of some things and disapprove of others.” In other words, well-written stories call us as readers to make moral evaluations and responses. This principle is illustrated beautifully in today’s reading.

Time had passed, enough for the baby to be born. Perhaps David thought he’d gotten away with his crimes. Then Nathan the prophet visited him with a parable, that is, a story with an underlying spiritual point. The story described an injustice perpetrated by a rich and powerful man. David’s anger was righteous, and his verdict was based on the Law (Ex. 22:1).

Nathan’s parable clarified the key issues of David’s sin. It also heightened the impact and drama of the revelation that the man in the parable was David (v. 7). In condemning that man, he condemned himself, and found himself confronted with his own sin, selfishness, and callous abuse of power.

Nathan laid out the facts of the case, at the center of which was David’s disrespect for the Lord. God had made him king, but his actions had failed to honor that fact. He and Bathsheba deserved death for their adultery (Deut. 22:22), not to mention murder (Lev. 24:17). They’d despised God’s Word and caused His enemies to show contempt (v. 14).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
For his sins, David deserved the death penalty, but God mercifully spared him. The truth is that we all deserve the death penalty: “All have sinned . . . the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Savior, that’s where you stand today.