2 Samuel 12:10-15 -The price of sin

God’s original intention for man was for him to be at peace with the Creator Himself, with others, with nature, and with man’s own self. But the fall of man disrupted the harmony man was to experience. Every person will now have to encounter hardship. The call of the Bible to endure hardship in life tells us that trials, afflictions, and suffering will always be part and parcel of life. However, while hardships will be experienced, many are self-invited ones. When one willfully disobeys God’s Word, the consequence becomes inevitable. One such example is seen here in David’s willful sin against God. To cover up his adultery with Bathsheba, he made many deceptive moves that culminated in Uriah being murdered. He even annexed Bathsheba and made her his wife. Because of all that he had done, he had inadvertently caused hardship to fall upon himself and brought much turmoil into his family.  

The justice of God necessitated His judgment on David for his gross misconduct. God’s initial silence was perhaps to allow David to reflect and repent. But his sin and seared conscience had affected his moral compass and rendered him incapable to respond rightly to God. Too compassionate to leave him alone in his sin, God sent Nathan to stir up his conscience and deal with him. Fortunately, David responded and acknowledged his sin. Nathan then pronounced the severe consequences he would be facing. The penalty was outlined for him by Nathan in verses 11-12. Firstly, for taking Bathsheba as his wife, his house would experience great conflict, disharmony, and turmoil. The sword would not depart from his house. Secondly, God would allow evil against him to originate from within his own house. What he did surreptitiously with Bathsheba, his own wives would be blatantly and overtly violated by those close to him.   

David was quick to respond. He did not resist but acknowledged his wrong. God told him that He would take away his sin and though he had prescribed death for himself, God chose to spare him. He was told that he would not die for his sin, but the child who was bored to him by Bathsheba must die. What David had done had given occasion for God’s name to be maligned and discredited. Remember every time we commit a sin, we discredit the name of God and give room for others to see God in a bad light. It behooves us therefore to live a life for the honor of God.

How God dealt with David assures us that God is just. He will deal fairly with all. God will not play favorites when He deals with us. Justice will be equally applied regardless of one’s status in life. One motivation that should keep us from sinning must be our love for Him and not just a fear of the punishment. We must love God enough to detest the fact that His reputation will be tarnished because of our sin. Let us love Him with all our heart, our mind, our soul, and strength. He is worthy of it all!