2 Samuel 11:14

2 Samuel 11:14 says, And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.  Having failed in his plan to make Uriah believe that he was the father of the unborn baby, David devised another plan and sent a letter to Joab to have it put in effect.  He was now involving another in his sinful actions, and if we allow sin back into our lives, we often have others involved in it as well.  Verse fifteen adds, And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.  David told Joab to put Uriah in the hottest battle and then withdraw support from him so that he would be killed.  Joab was under David’s command, but he still could have refused to do this.  Even if someone is in power over us and commands us to do something sinful, we always have the choice to say no.  Verse sixteen continues, And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.  Joab assigned Uriah to a place where he knew valiant men were, or where there was the most danger.  All Uriah had ever done was be a loyal soldier and be married to Bathsheba.  We should never attempt to destroy those who are loyal servants of God, no matter our reasoning.  Verse seventeen states, And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.  The people of the city that Joab sent Uriah to battle against came out and killed some of Joab's troops, including Uriah.  It could even be that Uriah would have been assigned to this battle without David’s instructions, but David had made Joab and himself responsible for his death by their actions.  Even though someone might have been destroyed without our actions, if we deliberately seek their destruction we must bear the responsibility for our actions.  Verse eighteen adds, Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;   Verse nineteen continues, And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,  Joab sent a messenger to David to update him on the war technically, but he was actually telling David that Uriah was dead as we will see.  Joab was not acting as an honorable soldier, but as an agent of sin.  We as Christians should never allow ourselves to become a party to the sins of others.  Verse twenty says, And if so be that the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?  Joab said that David might question his tactics in approaching so close to the wall of the city where it would be very dangerous.  Verse twenty-one adds, Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.  Joab said that they had the example of Abimelech being killed by a woman with a piece of pottery when he got too close to the wall.  I believe Joab was afraid that David might use the bad tactics to get rid of him, but he included the fact that Uriah was killed in the action.  He knew what David wanted done and did it, but I am not sure that he totally trusted David to not then have him killed, but he did have the knowledge of David's instructions that he could use in his defense.  Those who are joined together in sinful actions often are afraid to totally trust each other, especially if one has power over the other one.  Verse twenty-two continues, So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.  The messenger brought the report to David.  I believe that all David really wanted to hear was that Uriah was dead so he could hide his sinful action.  Personally, I don't believe David was concerned about the others who died as well. He had gotten what he wanted.  Those engaged in sinful actions often are not concerned about others that they may harm as well.  Verse twenty-three states, And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.  Verse twenty-four adds, And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.  The messenger gave an accurate report of what had happened, concluding with the fact that Uriah was dead.  Of course, he didn't realize that this was the purpose of the raid to start with.  Verse twenty-five continues, Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.  David sent a message back to Joab telling him not to be disheartened by what had happened and that there was no determining who would die in war, even though they had conspired to make sure that Uriah did.  David was covering their actions as a normal outcome of war.  We should never be surprised if people engaged in sinful actions today attempt to make what they are doing seem to be a normal thing.  Verse twenty-six says, And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.  Bathsheba had been unfaithful to Uriah, but she still mourned his death.  She didn't know anything about David’s plot to have Uriah killed, and she was now an expectant mother without a husband.  She did not know David’s intentions either at this time.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.  After her time of mourning, David sent for Bathsheba and she became one of his wives and they had a son.  It would seem that things had turned out as David wanted, but he had a big problem.   God was displeased with David’s actions.  No matter how successful we may be in carrying out actions that are sinful in God's eyes, He will always know and we will always have a problem. 

2 Samuel 11:1

2 Samuel 11:1 says, And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.  After a year, when the weather permitted and kings went out to battle each other,  David sent Joab and the army of Israel out and they destroyed the Ammonites and besieged the city of Rabbah.  Though the rest of the Ammonites were defeated, the people of the city of Rabbah were able to hold out for a while.  We may have sins that hold out for a while after we have defeated most of them by the power of God.  David did not go but remained in Jerusalem.  We should not send others to fight against evil in the world as we ourselves remain in safety.  Verse two adds, And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.  While remaining in Jerusalem, David was walking on his rooftop when he saw a beautiful woman washing herself.  Instead of being out leading his army, David had idle time on his hands, and was about to bring dishonor to himself and to God.  If we begin to just sit back and enjoy life instead of actively doing what God calls us to do, then we open ourselves up to temptation and it is always going to seem beautiful at the time.  Verse three continues, And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?  Instead of looking away and not allowing himself to be tempted, David sought to find out who the woman was.  He was told that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.  Matthew Henry says that David may have been intending to marry her if she wasn't married and to leave her alone if she was and she was.  Still, David already had several wives which is not God's plan, and Bathsheba had a husband.  We should always turn away from temptation when it first appears.  Verse four states, And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.  Instead of forgetting about Bathsheba, David sent for her and they committed adultery together.   I am not sure if she did this because she wanted to or because of the power of David as king.  As Christians, I can say that we should never use our position of authority if we have one to lead someone else into sin.  Verse five adds, And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.  Bathsheba became pregnant and sent word to David.  Since Uriah was in the field of battle, David now had a problem.  How could Bathsheba and he explain that she was pregnant when her husband had not been home.  Our sins will often lead us into a dilemma, and we can either confess them and seek forgiveness or try to hide them and create even more problems.  Verse six adds, And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.  David decided to attempt to hide his sin by sending for Uriah.  If he were home with Bathsheba, the child could be his.  We should never attempt to hide our sins, especially by using others to do so.  Verse seven continues, And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.  When Uriah came, David attempted to make it seem as though he were simply seeking an update on the war.  Sin was compounding as David was now lying about his reason for sending for Uriah, and if we allow sin into our lives as followers of Christ, we should not be surprised if it begins to multiply.  Verse eight says, And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.  David then told Uriah to go home and sent a lot of food with him.  This may have been David's way of attempting to atone for his sin, but we can never buy our way out of sin.  Of course, Bathsheba is sort of forgotten in this situation.  We are not told that she was in on the plan.  Verse nine adds, But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.  Uriah didn't do what David expected and wanted him to do, but slept in the servants quarters instead of going home.  We cannot depend on others to bail us out of sin, but must always just take responsibility for our sins and ask God's forgiveness, no matter how bad it may make us look in the eyes of the world.  Verse ten continues, And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?   When David was told that Uriah had not gone home, he called him and asked him why he hadn't.  David couldn't very well say to Uriah that he was spoiling his plan.  Other people may not cooperate with us if we attempt to use them to cover up our sin, especially if they are honorable people.  Verse eleven states, And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.  Uriah said that since the Ark was in a tent and Joab and Uriah's fellow soldiers were sleeping in the field that he would not go to his house and enjoy himself.  I don't believe that God expects us to simply sit back and enjoy life while giving no thought to our fellow believers who may be struggling.  Verse twelve adds, And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.  David told Uriah to stay another day and night, then he would allow him to return to the battle.  David was evidently hoping that the desire to go to his own house would be too much for Uriah to resist.  We should never attempt to cover up our sins by hoping that others will go against their beliefs and bail us out of the situation by allowing us to put the consequences of our sins on them.  Verse thirteen continues, And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.  David got Uriah drunk, but Uriah still went to sleep with the servants and not in his house.  We certainly should never lead others into sinful actions in order to attempt to cover up our sins,which is what David was attempting to do.

2 Samuel 10:13

2 Samuel 10:13 says, And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.  The Syrians fled before Joab almost as soon as the battle began it seems .  As long as we remain faithful to God, spiritually all our enemies have already fled from an everlasting perspective.  There is no enemy that we need to fear, even death itself.  Verse fourteen adds, And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.  Seeing that the Syrians had fled, so did the army of the Ammonites.  If we are spiritually victorious over one enemy, then others may flee from us as well.  Joab and the armies of Isreal did not pursue either enemy, but returned to Jerusalem.  When we are successful in defeating spiritual enemies, we don't need to chase after them, but need to simply return to our relationship with God for further strength.  Verse fifteen continues, And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.  The Syrians then gathered themselves after they had been defeated.  Even though I don't believe we need to chase after defeated spiritual enemies, that doesn't mean that they will never come back to bother us.  Some sin that we have overcome may tempt us again, which is why we need to remain close to God and the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse sixteen states, And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.  Since his troops that had gone to help the Ammonites fled, Hadarezer brought more of the Syrians to fight against Israel.  As stated, we may have overcome a particular sin and then have it come back as an even stronger temptation to us.  Verse seventeen adds, And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. Though Joab had not pursued the Syrians when they fled, David gathered the troops of Israel together to fight against them when they began to prepare to go to war against Israel.  Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, even if we do not chase enemies we have already defeated spiritually, if they do come back to attack us again, we need to be ready to battle them.  If our faith in God is strong, the battle should not be long, no matter how strong they may be when they return.  Verse eighteen continues, And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.  Once more,the Syrians fled, and David destroyed seven hundred of their chariots and forty- thousand horsemen, as well as Shobach their captain.  David had God on his side, so the battle was not long.  We as Christians have God on our side, so no matter how strong our enemies may think they are, spiritually they will always flee as long as we remain faithful to Him.  Verse nineteen concludes, And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.  When the other kings that were servants of Hadadezer saw that his troops had been killed before David, they made peace with Israel and no longer helped the Ammonites.  If by faith we defeat one enemy, it may keep others from even attacking us.  

2 Samuel 10:7

2 Samuel 10:7 says, And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.  When David heard what the people of Ammon had done to his servants that he sent to them in peace, he sent for Joab and all the army of Israel.   Those who reject and ridicule God today will one day face His punishment, and He doesn't need an army to carry it out.  Verse eight adds, And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.  The army of Ammon and those that they had recruited to help them came out to face the army of Israel.  They divided in to two groups, with the Ammonites to protect their city while the Syrians were to flank the Israelites.  We should be ready for the forces of Satan to attack us from all sides.  As stated many times, we should not be surprised when the people of the world unite against God and His people, who are those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse nine continues, When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:  Joab saw what they were planning and chose the best men of Israel to fight the Syrians under his leadership.  We cannot all be the best of God's army today, but we are all a part of it as Christians and we must be ready to take on the enemies of God wherever He leads us to do so.  Verse ten states, And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.  The rest of the army, Joab put under the command of his brother Abishai.  We may be a leader in the church, just as Joab was the leader of David's troops, but even if we are, we need to realize that we cannot do everything ourself.  Verse eleven adds, And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.  Joab told Abishai that if the Syrians proved to be too strong for him, that Abishai was to come help him and that if the Ammonites proved to be too strong for Abishai that he would come help him.  We as followers of Christ must always be willing to come to the aid of our fellow believers if we see them being overcome by the world.  Of course, if they were going into battle under the direction of God they should have had faith that He would give them the victory, just as He has already done for us spiritually when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.   Verse twelve continues, Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.  Joab then did put things in God's hands.  He said that they were to go to protect their people  but that God should do what seemed good to Him.  Putting everything in God's hands is all we can ever do.  

2 Samuel 10:1

2 Samuel 10:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.  Nahash, the king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun became king.  One thing is certain, and that is that earthly rulers all ultimately die, but our king, Jesus Christ, lives forever.  Verse two adds, Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.  Though the Ammonites had been cruel enemies of Israel, Nahash had shown kindness to David, so he decided to show kindness to Hanun, Nahash's son.  David sent comfort by the hand of his servants.  We should never judge people by the actions of even the majority of the people of a nation, but should always judge them individually.   Verse three continues, And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?   Hanun's advisors told him that David had sent his servants to spy on him instead of giving him comfort.  People of the world may always question our motives if we as Christians offer them help in their time of mourning.  Verse four states, Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.  Hanon took actions to greatly shame David’s servants, leaving them with a beard only on one side and half-naked and sent them home.  I believe that there is still nothing that some of the lost people today enjoy more than trying to bring shame to Christians.  Verse five adds, When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.  When David heard what had happened, he told his servants that had been shamed to remain in Jerusalem until their beards had regrown.  If we as Christians are somehow shamed by the world today, I don't believe we should allow this to permanently keep us from serving God.  The shame may not be visible like a half-shaved beard, but it like the half- shaved beard should be overcome soon.  Verse six continues, And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.  When the people of Ammon saw that they now stank before David, or had now made themselves his enemy by their actions, they began to hire others to help them.  The enemies of God, even if they don't always get along, will often unite in their battle against God's people, the followers of Christ. 

2 Samuel 9:7

2 Samuel 9:7 says, And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.  David assured Mephibosheth that he was not going to harm him, but that he was going to restore all the land that belonged to Saul to him, who was his grandfather though he was referred to as simply his father here.  This was to be done for Jonathan's sake.  He was also told that he would eat at David’s table continually.  We need to do all that we can to help the children of our friends if they are in need if our friends die, especially our Christian friends, and as children of God, and never grandchildren, we will eat at His table forever spiritually.  Verse eight adds, And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?  Mephibosheth asked David who he was that David should show him this kindness, referring to himself as a dog. Though he was ths son of a prince and the grandson of a king, Mephibosheth didn't see himself as being worthy of the honor David was bestowing on him.   As followers of Christ, we are children, but never grandchildren, of God, the only real King, and we will never be worthy of that honor.   Verse nine continues, Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all is house.  Next, David called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and told him that he had restored all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth.  Verse ten adds, Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.  David told Ziba that he and his sons would till the land for Mephibosheth so that he would have food to eat, even though the Mephibosheth would eat at David’s table.  Even though God meets all our needs spiritually once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, He still expects us to be at work for Him.  I believe he also expects us to provide help to the less fortunate, especially our fellow Christians.  Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants, though he himself was a servant of Saul.  Verse eleven states, Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.  Ziba said that he would do as his lord the king commanded, just as we must do as God our Lord and king commands.  It was again stated that Mephibosheth would eat at David’s table as one of David's sons.  As followers of Christ, we may come from different statuses in life, but we are all God's children at His table.  Verse twelve adds,  And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.  Mephibosheth had a young son and Ziba and everyone who dwelt at his house were servants to Mephibosheth.  Verse thirteen adds, So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.  Though Saul’s land had been restored to him, Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem and ate at the king’s table.  Though we are promised an everlasting home in heaven, in the meantime we must continue to do God's work here on earth, and we are especially to help the less fortunate I believe. 

2 Samuel 9:1

2 Samuel 9:1 says, And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?  David sought out anyone that remained of the house of Saul so that he could show kindness to him for Jonathan's sake.  Though he might have been doing it for Jonathan and not Saul, he was still looking to help someone who could claim to be an heir to the throne.  Still, he was doing what he felt was the right thing to do, and so should we even if in the eyes of the world it is possibly dangerous.  Verse two adds, And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.  They called Ziba, one of Saul's servants to David, and David asked him if he had been Saul’s servant.  Since Saul had been attempting to kill David,  this could have put Ziba in a bad situation, but he answered honestly that he had been Saul’s servant.  Even if it might be dangerous to us, we as Christians should always answer honestly when questioned, especially if we are asked if we are a servant of God.  Verse three continues, And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.  When David asked Ziba if any of Saul's house remained, he said Jonathan had one son who was lame.  His being Jonathan's son was likely especially good news to David, though his being unable to walk probably wasn't.   Sometimes, we have mixed blessings in life.  Verse four states, And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.  David asked Ziba where Jonathan's son was, and he told him.  He still could have been putting Jonathan's son in danger if David was lying about why he wanted to find him, but we have to assume that he trusted David.  Sometimes, we just have to assume that people, especially our fellow Christians, are telling us the truth and want what is best for others, even those who have been their enemies.  Verse five adds, Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.  David sent for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.  David brought him to his house.  What we as Christians need to do is bring others, not to our house, but to God's house.  There, we should all be equals.  Verse six continues, Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!  When Mephibosheth came to David, he fell on his face before him, whether out or respect or fear.  David called him by name and Mephibosheth said he was David’s servant.   He wasn't there to attemptto claim the throne or believingthat he was superior to David because of who his father and grandfather were..  We as Christians are called on not to be lords of others but to be a servant to them.