2 Samuel 12:15-23 – There is no compromise for the consequence of sin

The word of God, given by Nathan came true. The child Bathsheba bore for David was stricken with a serious illness. In contrition David humbled himself, fasted, and fell prostrate before God. Although his advisors stayed around just in case he wanted to get up, but David did not get up for seven days. They even coaxed him to eat something, but he flatly refused to eat anything. He was hopeful that God would change His mind and spare the child. Despite the seven days of contrition, the child's illness turned for the worst and eventually died, but his advisors were afraid to tell him. They thought that while the child was alive, he was already unwilling to get up, much less now that his child had died. They were afraid that he would not be able to take it. It’s a blessing to have such thoughtful followers.  

 

However, when David saw the whispering of the people who were comforting him, he perceived that the child had died. When he was sure that the child had died, he got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself. He dressed up and went up to the house of God and worshiped. Returning to his house he asked for food. David's sudden turn of behavior surprised his royal servants. David then explained his rationale in verses 21-23. He clarified that while the child’s life was hanging by a thread, he fasted, wept, and prayed to the Lord, hoping that God would change His mind. He had hoped that God would be gracious and spare the child. But now that the child was dead, there was no more reason for him to fast. He reckoned that no amount of mourning could ever reverse the mind of God to bring the child back. David surmised that the only way he would ever meet the child again would be in death.         

 

The question we ask is, why did God take the life of an innocent child when it was David who had sinned? It seems unfair that the child should bear the brunt of David and Bathsheba’s wrong. The death of the child underscores for us that consequences of sin do not just affect the person who had committed the sin but will also affect the lives of those dear to the one who had committed the sin. It is true that God will forgive the sin of a contrite person, but the painful consequence of one’s sin always remains. One has to bear the consequence of his or her sin. One other thought comes to mind, why God had to take away the child? He did it for His own name’s sake. Second Samuel 12:14 said, “However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.” If God allowed the child to live, He would allow His name to be discredited by sin. In dealing with the adulterous child of David and Bathsheba, God showed how He, the holy and righteous God, felt about sin. He would not allow anyone to take sin casually. God has no compromise with sin. It pays to know that every sin has a consequence. Because knowing it will help us to be cautious about how we conduct our lives, and so live to honor Him. Remember what you sow you shall reap!