Where Was King David’s Forgiveness?
When most people think of King David they think of Goliath, valor and a man who had a heart after God. Sure all of these things are correct and we too know that David was quick to repent. The question for today is where was King David’s Forgiveness?
In reflection of the many ups and downs of the great king there are many lessons of forgiveness placement to recognize for our own lives as we develop and mature in Christ and how forgiveness plays a part in that level of maturity.
As we examine King David we see that he fell often. How does one fall so often? It’s simple; take your eyes of the Lord. It’s no different than King Solomon; although that’s a series for another time. When David allowed his focus to be shifted from the Lord he fell. he sought forgiveness but from whom?
In the story of David and Bathsheba it was David who committed adultery before the actual act took place. He obviously lusted after her with his eyes as there is no record of his eyes turning away from what he saw. Instead we learn ‘2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her.’ (2Sam11:2-3) He did not turn away from a married woman. Additionally; he brought others into his plot of sin.
As we know David and Bathsheba had an affair, her husband was murdered and she gave birth to his child; all at the hands of the selfish ruthless king. But here is the thing that is curious: David’s forgiveness.
As we read in verse 26, “When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” Notice that Bathsheba mourned the death of her husband and instead of being honest and confessing his sin to her; David kept quiet. Not one word to her that he was the mastermind of the murder of her husband. Do you think is she knew the truth she would have married him? Would you? If you had an affair with someone who murdered your husband and you were pregnant; would you still even want that ‘love’ child? Everything would be different and of course my best best is that King David knew. How could he not? We can then refer to Psalm 32: 3-5 where it’s clear:
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.b]”
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
When it comes to forgiveness there is no evidence that he ever went before any one person to confess his sins. In many cases people focus on James 5:16 where they believe it reads to confess your sins to others although in the King James it reads different: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A fault is much different than a sin as being habitually late may be a fault yet not sin and so in this case David is in alignment with scripture by simply stating he sinned against the Lord and repenting and seeking forgiveness from the Lord. David clearly says it in 1 Samuel 12:13 “Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Any and all sin is sin and is against the Lord. Period. David grasped that. He recognized that in his heart were all the things not of God. The lust after another man’s wife, the evil and wickedness of murder, affairs, selfishness and the list goes on- all of which were against the Lord.
When it comes to forgiveness your and my sins are against the Lord which is why repentance is necessary and where forgiveness comes into play. We can learn from David what it means to ask for a clean heart and of course understand why. We can also see that King David was quick to turn his eyes and heart back toward the Lord; something that if we too are quick to recognize that our sins are against the Lord we can create that same pattern in our own lives.
So it’s really that simple. Remain focused on the Lord and when you sin it’s against God. Repent and seek forgiveness; so that times of refreshing may come. They did for David so take heart that they will for you too.
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Today’s Scripture
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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Forgiveness Tip #14
Forgiveness reveals your character. Let it shine the light of the Lord.
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