2 Samuel 12:24-25 – Peace after the storm

God loves us too much to leave us in sin. So He will deal with it. However, the outcome of our life after God has dealt with us depends largely on how we will respond to His dealing. Some people see graciousness in God’s dealing, recognize their wrong, repent, and experience a restored relationship with Him. Others become bitter, blame God, resign to life, and refuse to move forward. In David,  we see a man who knew how to rightly respond to the LORD’s dealing. He was aware that God had every right to deal with him in ways the LORD deemed fit. Hence, David could move forward in life. One wonderful and comforting thought about divine dealing is that God will do so measuredly and with great concern for us. Psalm 103:14 tells us that “For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”

David had received the comfort of God after his sin was dealt with. So he could in turn comfort Bathsheba who would certainly be severely affected as well. David went in to her and they had intimacy. Bathsheba then bore him a son whom he named Solomon, meaning peaceful. This is an attestation of his restored relationship with God. David had experienced the peace of God after the stormy dealing. Hence, it was so apt to name this son peaceful. Like David, Solomon would also be a constant reminder that peace will always be our experience when our sins are dealt with and our relationship with God is rightly restored.

The last sentence of verse 24 tells us that the LORD loved Solomon. So He sent Nathan to David to have this child named Jedidiah, meaning beloved of Yahweh or the LORD loves. In Hebrew, the name Jedidiah is a combination of two terms - Yahweh and David. This is a hint that He would be the instrument God would use for the forward movement of His kingdom. It is a show of divine approval.  

We need to know that God’s dealing with man is often restorative and not merely punitive. Yes, we will have to bear the consequence of sin, but when we respond humbly to God’s dealing, He will restore us to a peaceful relationship with Him. The process will no doubt be painful, but the end is peace and joy with God. Psalm 30:5 so aptly tells us that “His (God’s) anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” So take heart. Seek to maximize life with God. When we falter, just repent, submit to God, and trust Him to make good the relationship again. We can experience peace and restoration and move on with Him again. There will be peace after the storm. This is God’s grace, His marvelous grace!