2 Samuel 11: 15
This is what [David] wrote in the letter: "Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead."
Let's play a game. Which one of these doesn't belong: The Young & The Restless, Days of Our Lives, The Second Book of Samuel?
For the most part, this book of the Bible isn't a soap opera but man, the story of David, Uriah and Bathsheba sure is! If you're not familiar, I'll give you the Reader's Digest version. One night, King David is chillin' on the roof (because why not?) and sees Bathsheba bathing. He asks around, finds out she is Uriah's wife, but decides he still wants her. He sends for her and… takes her. Gotta keep it G-rated!
Bathsheba gets pregnant. David tried to cover things up and make it look like Bathsheba's pregnancy could be through Uriah, but when Uriah doesn't go home to be with his wife (but instead stays as a show of solidarity with his fellow soldiers, probably making David feel even worse!) David takes drastic measures. This is what we read in verse 15. His instructions left Uriah a sitting duck. Uriah was indeed killed and David took Bathsheba as his wife. They had a son, who died (God was pretty ticked at David). But then Bathsheba got pregnant again and Solomon was born. Yes, wise King Solomon.
The Bible is filled with stories of God's mercy and this is one of the most powerful. Imagine yourself in the place of God here. What would you have done. Maybe you could have doled out the punishment and eventually forgiven David, but could you have blessed him with another child - one that would become one of the greatest kings of Israel? I don't know if I could. Reason #658 that I'm not God!
I saw a counselor for a little more than a year after my divorce. One visit that has stayed with me was when I told him that I couldn't bring myself to say that my marriage was a mistake because to say that would be admitting that my two beautiful, precious boys are a mistake. He corrected me, using David and his actions as an example. David made mistakes. That's an understatement. God took that relationship that started in a very bad way and created Solomon. In His mercy and wisdom, God took David's failings and redeemed him and his family. I'm not saying we should see it as a green light to make hasty decisions or do things that we know are wrong, because "God will evenutally make it right!". But if you look back and see a misstep in your past, don't think that it's too late for you to be all that God wants you to be. We love and serve a merciful God and He loves us too.
