Bryan’s Thoughts

There is a temptation to think that, other than David’s tryst with Bathsheba, his rule was one success followed by another from beginning to end.  That’s simply not the case as we see in 2 Sam starting at chapter 13.  I read 2 Sam 13-15 tonight (and I know that the tragedies continue after that point as well).

Here’s a very brief summary:  Amnon (the oldest son of David) was deeply infatuated with his half-sister Tamar (sister of Absalom).  On the advise of a friend, Amnon feigns illness and asks for Tamar to attend to him.  In the course of events, he rapes his half-sister, and then decides that he actually hates her.

Through the course of events, Absalom plotted revenge on his half-brother and succeeds in killing him.  Eventually, Absalom even makes a play for the throne, forcing David and his household to evacuate the castle.

I strongly suspect that all of these events are a continuation of the consequences of David’s sin with Bathsheba.  David had set the example to his son Amnon that sexual sin could be “gotten away with”.  He had set the example to his son Absalom that murder was a good way of getting rid of the people that are in your way.

David is one of my favourite characters in the Bible.  His love for God is simply amazing!  Yet I find it so incredibly sad how one act of indiscretion so royally messed things up (pardon the pun).  What a sobering (and terrifying) thought that the sins that I commit have lasting consequences on my life here!  (**note** thank-you to my good friend Jason Friesen who reminded me that because of Jesus’ forgiveness, out sins do not have eternal consequences if we are followers of Christ)