From II Samuel 11-13:
1. The story of Bathsheba is a story that is very well known. However, one must ask why would David send for Bathsheba after having seen her bathing. Obviously, to him she was very attractive. She was also young. However, both had already committed sin in their hearts before the act. David had seen and lusted after, so he acted upon that desire. I am also going to take a wild guess here, but I am betting that she was hoping that he would see her bathing and she was out in full sight for him. Otherwise, what girl in their right mind would bathe where people could see them. So it was a heart issue first, and then went from thoughts to actions. (Men cannot see the heart, but God can. Man, however, can see the action based upon the heart condition.)
2. It is interesting to see how noble Uriah was. He would not sleep at his house when "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents...". It is interesting that he mentioned the ark first. One could easily argue that he was concerned for the things of God more than David was at this particular juncture in time.
3. I wonder if Joab knew the issue between the king and Uriah the Hittite. He sent back a message saying that it was done, but we do not see any objection by him about what was done. Perhaps he knew nothing of the situation, though I am guessing he was able to add things up later when Bathsheba had a baby after quickly marrying the king.
4. Nathan was really brave to go before the king and point out the king's wrongdoing. Keep in mind that the king had the power to strike him down at any moment. And this message was sure to offend. If the king was one who would cover up sins, he would be sure to retaliate.
5. It is interesting that the bible says about Solomon that the Lord loved him, and even had Nathan give him another name. It is amazing how God can use the results of a bad situation to cause good to come of it. I guess this could be an argument for keeping a child that is a result of rape. God can take the child and use that child for much good, even though the conception of the child was a result of evil intentions and sin.
6. It is sad to see that Amnon was so lost in his lust after his half-sister Tamar. She even said that all he had to do was go to his father and ask for her hand in marriage and he would likely grant it. I don't understand why he was so brash. I guess a heart full of evil intentions and sin is the only explanation. And then because he had abused / used her, he then hated her.
7. It is recorded that David was furious. However, nothing is said about what David did about this issue. I wonder how he should have responded. What should one do if two of their children have an incident like this? That is a very perplexing question.
8. Jonadab, who gave Amnon the idea of how to get Tamar alone, was aware of Absalom's intent to kill Amnon. I wonder why he did not warn Amnon. I also wonder if king David knew of this intent. I bet if he had examined his deepest feelings and thoughts, he could have figured it out. I also don't understand why David longed for / mourned for his son (Absalom) every day. At least the passage seems to indicate that he is mourning for Absalom, not Amnon.
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