Lk 1:74-75 “that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days”. Interesting timing. In the Women study, today was about Eve – the shame and fear that come as a result of sin. Now, here, we read about the ability to approach and worship God without fear … all because of the promised coming of a Savior.
2 Sam 12:8 “And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more”. God basically says to David, “Look at everything you have. I gave it to you. And I could have given you twice this if you had needed it. Why’d you have to go and do what you did??”
‘The Lord has also put away your sin, you shall not die.’ 2 Samuel 12:13 This chapter brought so much understanding to God’s forgiveness as well as God’s discipline. I’ve always had a hard time viewing both of them together and this cleared it up for me. Convicts me to NOT want to sin anymore. Yes God will forgive me but its displeases God.
I found such peace, lingering in Zechariah’s Song–it took me back to yesterday’s reading: 1:37 “For the word of the Lord will never fail.”
1:76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
That’s a good question Grace, but sadly I don’t think we’ll know why David didn’t do anything. My study notes say that maybe his memory of his sin with Bathsheba affected his judgment, but we won’t ever know for sure. My notes on 13:23 say: After two years it was clear to Absalom that King David was not going to do anything to Ammon for raping Tamar.
So it looks like he was waiting to see if there would be punishment and when there wasn’t he took matters into his own hands.
Grace, I’m not sure we will know why David didn’t act and address sin in his household. But what we do see is a principle of the NEED for sin to be addressed and the consequences and impact on a whole family or group if it isn’t. It’s a good reminder for me – one who prefers peace to conflict- that it isn’t true peace if issues aren’t dealt with.
Grace, I believe we will never truly know everything on the Bible (Is 55:8-9) these verses speak of possibly why David didn’t do anything & why Absalom waited…key verses 10/11. In (vs 13) David confessed his sin & knew there’d be consequences to follow.
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
Hi Grace, I was wrestling with your question all day and finally read some study notes on the matter. It’s seems that David was a fairly passive father. His sin was passed onto his sons. It is clear through reading this that the gospel is the only thing that can break the power of sin over our lives. It is sad that David did not punish his son for his wrongdoing, but it is also wonderful to know that we have a Savior who can break the cycle of sin in our lives. I hope you walk away with hope after reading!
I thought it was because Tamar’s brother neither spoke good nor bad of the man who raped his sister. It sounded like he was her “guardian” in essence and because he didn’t demand action David couldn’t. It also sounded like once the brother did act, David was sort of relieved. I felt very sorry for Tamar.
Hi Grace, I agree I think that David probably didn’t do anything because he knew that the Lord predicted he’d have such trouble from within his family because of his own wrongdoing – so I wonder if David didn’t punish his son because David felt guilty like it was his own fault. And the other brother probably waited to see if David would act, because it was right that David should have been the one to act
“God loves you. His chastisements can be painful, but God never turns His back on us. He will discipline us, but He will not forsake us. He will always seek to draw us back to a place where He can bless us once more.” — Beth Moore
Lk 1:74-75 “that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days”. Interesting timing. In the Women study, today was about Eve – the shame and fear that come as a result of sin. Now, here, we read about the ability to approach and worship God without fear … all because of the promised coming of a Savior.
I love that. To serve God without fear because we live in such confidence in his Word and he proves his truthfulness everyday.
This part stood out to me as well
2 Sam 12:8 “And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more”. God basically says to David, “Look at everything you have. I gave it to you. And I could have given you twice this if you had needed it. Why’d you have to go and do what you did??”
‘The Lord has also put away your sin, you shall not die.’ 2 Samuel 12:13 This chapter brought so much understanding to God’s forgiveness as well as God’s discipline. I’ve always had a hard time viewing both of them together and this cleared it up for me. Convicts me to NOT want to sin anymore. Yes God will forgive me but its displeases God.
I found such peace, lingering in Zechariah’s Song–it took me back to yesterday’s reading: 1:37 “For the word of the Lord will never fail.”
1:76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Why didn’t David do anything about his son raping his daughter? And why did Absolom wait 2 years? I’m so confused
That’s a good question Grace, but sadly I don’t think we’ll know why David didn’t do anything. My study notes say that maybe his memory of his sin with Bathsheba affected his judgment, but we won’t ever know for sure. My notes on 13:23 say: After two years it was clear to Absalom that King David was not going to do anything to Ammon for raping Tamar.
So it looks like he was waiting to see if there would be punishment and when there wasn’t he took matters into his own hands.
Grace, I’m not sure we will know why David didn’t act and address sin in his household. But what we do see is a principle of the NEED for sin to be addressed and the consequences and impact on a whole family or group if it isn’t. It’s a good reminder for me – one who prefers peace to conflict- that it isn’t true peace if issues aren’t dealt with.
Grace, I believe we will never truly know everything on the Bible (Is 55:8-9) these verses speak of possibly why David didn’t do anything & why Absalom waited…key verses 10/11. In (vs 13) David confessed his sin & knew there’d be consequences to follow.
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
Hi Grace, I was wrestling with your question all day and finally read some study notes on the matter. It’s seems that David was a fairly passive father. His sin was passed onto his sons. It is clear through reading this that the gospel is the only thing that can break the power of sin over our lives. It is sad that David did not punish his son for his wrongdoing, but it is also wonderful to know that we have a Savior who can break the cycle of sin in our lives. I hope you walk away with hope after reading!
Aww thank you all for replying, it all really helped. God bless x
I thought it was because Tamar’s brother neither spoke good nor bad of the man who raped his sister. It sounded like he was her “guardian” in essence and because he didn’t demand action David couldn’t. It also sounded like once the brother did act, David was sort of relieved. I felt very sorry for Tamar.
Hi Grace, I agree I think that David probably didn’t do anything because he knew that the Lord predicted he’d have such trouble from within his family because of his own wrongdoing – so I wonder if David didn’t punish his son because David felt guilty like it was his own fault. And the other brother probably waited to see if David would act, because it was right that David should have been the one to act
perhaps his own guilt over Bathseba had undercut his sense of moral authority.
Love that :)
Amen! (Prov 3:12, Heb 12:6-11)
My Take Away from 2 Samuel 12:
“God loves you. His chastisements can be painful, but God never turns His back on us. He will discipline us, but He will not forsake us. He will always seek to draw us back to a place where He can bless us once more.” — Beth Moore
Such a comfort to know that He will never forsake us.