2 Samuel 13:30

2 Samuel 13:30 says, And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.  David received a message that Absalom had killed all his brothers.  This was not true, and often the things that we hear today are not true.  It is up to us as Christians to ensure that we are telling the truth and verify the truth of what we hear to the best of our ability.  Verse thirty-one adds, Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.  David began to deeply mourn what he heard had happened without first verifying it and his servants mourned with nim.  We should certainly never lead others into mourning over something that may not be totally true.  Yes, David would likely have still mourned over the death of Amnon, but his despair would not have been as severe.  Verse thirty-two continues, And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.  Jonadab at least brought David the truth, and that is what we need to do as followers of Christ.  Only Amnon had been killed by Absalom and this was done to avenge what Amnon had done to Tamar.  David himself really should have been the one to punish Amnon.  If we as Christians allow sin that we know of to go unpunished, someone else may take action to punish the one who committed the sin.  Verse thirty-three concludes, Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.  Jonadab told David to not be so deeply troubled, because only Amnon was dead.  This was still a reason to mourn, but not a reason to be so desolate.  We should not mourn for things that we hear about that have not happened, but only for those that have.  Verse thirty-four states, But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.  Absalom fled, but the rest of the people returned to David. If someone that we know has committed sin, they may flee from God's presence, but we as Christians must return to Him instead.  Verse thirty-five adds, And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.  Jonadab told David to look and he would see his sons returning to Him.  Through the whole situation with Amnon we never read about David seeking God's guidance in the situation, and if we are encountering a sinful situation today, if we do seek God's guidance immediately, it may lead to even greater problems.  Verse thirty-six continues, And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.  As soon as Jonadab had concluded speaking, all of David's sons, except Absalom and Amnon, came to him and they mourned together for Amnon.  Amnon may have been guilty of something worthy of death, but he was still a son and brother.  We should mourn the death of our our brothers and sisters in Christ today, but we should mourn the death of those who die without God's forgiveness even more and the only way to forgiveness is through accepting Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-seven says, But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.  Absalom went to the king of Talmai the son of the king of Geshur for help.  David mourned for his son, whether this was for Amnon’s death or Absalom’s absence is not clear, though it might have been both.   Verse thirty-eight adds, So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.  Absalom remained in Geshur for three years.  The king of Geshur did not send him back and David did not go to bring him back.  If someone commits a sin today, especially our fellow believers, we should not just ignore their sin, but we should actively seek to return them to a right relationship with God.  Then verse thirty-nine continues, And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.  David longed to restore his relationship with Absalom, and he was comforted with Amnon’s death.  Once a person dies, there is nothing more that we can do for them, so we must go on with life and be more concerned with those still alive than with those who are dead. 

2 Samuel 13:21

2 Samuel 13:21 says, But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.  When David heard about what had happened, he was very wroth, or angry.  If we hear about terrible, sinful things happening today, we should be filledcwith righteous indignation, or anger, and not allow the sin to go unchecked.  We are not told that David took any action though..  Verse twenty-two adds, And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.  Matthew Henry says Abimelech had nothing good nor bad to say about Amnon because he hated him for what he had done to his sister Tamar,  but it seems to me that he quit talking to him.  Amnon had created a lot of anger and hurt in David’s family by his actions, and if we act sinfully as Christians we may cause discord in the church, especially if we don't repent and take responsibility for our actions.  Amnon had basically blamed Tamar for what had happened instead of taking responsibility himself.  We as followers of Christ should never attempt to place responsibility for our sins on someone else.  Verse thirty-three continues, And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.  Two and a half years later, Absalom had sheepshearers at Baalhazar and invited all of David's sons to come.  He had a plan to avenge his sister, and he was in effect involving all of David's sons in it.  We should never attempt to hide sinful plans by involving others even without their knowledge.  I believe that David should have addressed this problem, but since he hadn't, Absalom decided to do things his way.  We should never allow sin to go unaddressed in the church today.  Verse twenty-four states, And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.  Absalom even invited David to go with them.  Maybe he figured this would make it seem less likely that he had a plan to kill Amnon in mind.  Sometimes people may attempt to hide their sinful actions in plain sight.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.  David said that he wouldn't go.  Matthew Henry says this was because David didn't want to be a part of Absalom spending so much to have a feast.  We can say that we should never encourage others to spend money in what might be a foolish manner.  Verse twenty-six continues, Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?   Absalom asked that since David wasn't going to allow Amnon to go with him, and David asked him why.  He may have been concerned about Absalom’s reason for wanting Amnon there, but as we will see, David allowed him to go.  If we suspect that someone is up to no good, we shouldn't simply question them and then allow them to go ahead with what they plan.  Verse twenty-seven says, But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.  Absalom pressed David to allow Amnon and David’s other brothers to go.  Matthew Henry says that Absalom had hidden his hatred of Amnon so well that David didn't expect him of planning to kill him, but by David’s earlier question of why Absalom wanted Amnon to go, I believe he may have been concerned.  All the brothers went.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.  Absalom commanded his servants to kill Amnon when he was merry with wine, or basically drunk and less likely to be able to defend himself.  Even though they were acting under Absalom’s orders they were also becoming complicit in his actions.  We should never allow someone in power over us to cause us to do anything sinful.  Absalom said he would take responsibility for their actions, but no one else can really take responsibility for our actions.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.  The servants did as Absalom had told them to do, and afterward all of David's other sons fled.  I don't know if this as because they feared they might be next or if they feared that David would think they were all involved.  I personally believe that at this point they should have held Absalom responsible, and we as Christians should hold others responsible for sinful actions instead of just running away from them.  

2 Samuel 13:11

2 Samuel 13:11 says, And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.   When Tamar came close to Amnon to feed him by hand, he took hold of her and asked her to sleep with him.  Verse twelve adds, And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.  When Amnon attempted to get Tamar to sleep with him, she said no and added that such a thing should not happen in Israel.  Even though they sometimes do, there are certain things that should not happen with Christians, and we certainly shouldn't be the ones to attempt to initiate them if they do. Verse thirteen continues, And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.  Tamar then told Amnon if he forced himself on her that he would be as one of the fools of Israel, and anytime we give in to sin, we are acting as a fool.  This is because at that point we are acting as if there is no God.  Tamar said instead that Amnon should ask David and he would give her to him.  I don't know if she was serious or not or was simply trying to get away, and I would hope that if she had successfully escaped that David would not have agreed to such thing.  We should never agree to sinful conduct of others as Christians today, and we certainly shouldn't participate in it.  Verse fourteen states, Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.  Amnon would not agree with Tamar and raped her.  If we begin to think about evil things, they can often end up in sinful actions.  Verse fifteen adds, Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.  Afterwards, Amnon hated Tamar even more than he had claimed to love her.  Of course, he had never really loved her to start with, but was only filled with lust for her.  Now he blamed her for his sinful action.  Those Christians who fall back into sin often look to blame someone else instead of just confessing their sin and asking God's forgiveness.   Verse sixteen continues, And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.  Tamar told Amnon that there was no reason to compound the evil by sending her away.  Being married to him would be less of an evil than sending her away after he had raped her.  She would probably have been the one to bear most of the consequences of his actions.  Hopefully, we will never be in a situation where choosing the lesser sin seems to be our only option.  If it does, we still should never commit one sin to cover up another.  Verse seventeen says, Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.  Amnon called his servants and they ministered to him, and he told them to send away this woman, not even referring to her by name, and to bolt the door behind her.  If we have caused someone to sin, there is often a tendency to dehumanize them and put the blame on them.  Verse eighteen adds, And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.  She was wearing a robe of many colors that signified that she was the kings daughter and a virgin.  We have no identifying clothing today that signifes that we are a child of the King, but once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we become a child of the King and we should do all that we can under the power of the Holy Spirit to remain pure from sin.  Verse nineteen continues, And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.  Tamar no longer felt worthy of the robe and repented by putting ashes on her head and tearing the robe up, even though she had not willingly committed any sin. It is certainly too bad if our actions cause anyone else to feel unworthy before God, Who is our King.  Verse twenty concludes, And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.  When Absalom knew what had happened, instead of supporting Tamar he told her to not say anything, because Amnon was his brother. He had more loyalty to Amnon than he did to Tamar, even though she was more closely related to him.  We certainly should never ask others to keep quiet to cover up the sins of others, especially if they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.   Having been betrayed by two brothers, Tamar remained desolate in Absalom’s house.  Of course, she should have gone to her father, the king, and told him what had happened, but she might have feared that he would take Amnon’s side and have blamed her for his actions.  As Christians, we should never be afraid to go to our heavenly Father, the King, if we have been forced into a sinful situation. 

2 Samuel 13:1

 2 Samuel 13:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.  David's son Absalom had a sister, Tamar, who was loved, or lusted after, by David’s son Amnon, who evidently was a half-brother to her.  Matthew Henry says Amnon, though a son of David, must not have been of good moral character to have these feelings.  We as Christians cannot ensure that our children do not have sinful thoughts.  Of course, David had not always set a Godly example, and it is possible that at times we may not either.  Verse two adds, And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.  Amnon’s lust for his sister made him sick because he didn't feel that he could act on it because of her purity.  Sin can make us physically sick if it becomes an obsession that we cannot act on, but that is better acting on it.  Verse three continues, But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.  Amnon had a friend who was a subtil, or sneaky man we might say.  If we are looking to sin, we can most likely find someone who is willing to help us.  Verse four states, And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.  Jonadab, Amnon’s friend asked him why he was so lean, or sad, from day to day being the son of the king.  Others may think that our status in life should keep us happy and give us certain rights that others don't have, but as Christians we are all equal in God's sight.  Amnon told Jonadab that he loved his brother's sister, but I believe a more accurate statement would have been that he lusted for her. Verse five continues, And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.  Jonadab devised a plan for Amnon to be alone with his sister.  He was to go to bed claiming to be sick and when David came to ask about him, he was to ask that Tamar bring him food and feed him.  We may find others who are willing to assist us if we want to commit some sinful action.  They might even be willing to plan things out for us.  Verse six says, So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.  Amnon put the plan in action.  Now, I would think that David would have been curious about why it had to be Tamar who did this, since he had plenty of servants.  Sometimes, we may need to question the motives of others when they ask for something, and a followers of Christ, we need to at least ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit at all times.  I believe that had David been in prayer about the situation that God would have allowed him to see the truth about what was happening.  Verse seven adds, Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.  David simply did as Amnon had requested and sent Tamar to him.  David became an accomplise in Amnon's plan, even if it was as an unwitting one.  If we do not stay attuned to God's will we may be unwittingly used  by people of the worldcto accomplish sinful purposes. Verse eight continues, So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.  Tamar did as David had instructed her to do and went to Amnon’s house and baked him some cakes in his sight.  She was just an obedient daughter, and we should make certain that we never put our children in a harmful situation when they are simply being obedient to us.  Verse nine states, And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.  After Tamar baked the cakes, Amnon refused to eat until all the men were sent out of the room or house.  I have to wonder if anyone became suspicious of Amnon’s motives.  If we are confronted with what seem to be strange or unnecessary actions in a particular situation, we need to ask why this is necessary and not just blindly comply, even if the person telling us to do something is in a position of authority over us.  Verse ten continues, And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.  Amnon then asked Tamar to bring the food into his chamber so that he could eat from her hand, and she did.  She still had no reason for alarm, and we may be drawn closer to a sinful situation if we are not spiritually alert.

2 Samuel 12:21

2 Samuel 12:21 says, Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.  David’s servants were confused when he got up and ate after he heard the child was dead.  They wondered why he had fasted and prayed while the child was alive and now went on with life.  Verse twenty-two adds, And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?  David said that while the child was alive that he hoped that God might be gracious to him and the child might live, so he humbly appealed to God.  As long as someone is alive, there is hope and we are right to pray for them, but we must still accept God's will in the situation.  Verse twenty-three continues, But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.  David said that now that the child was dead, he couldn't bring him back.  One day, David said he would go to his son, but his son could never come back to him.  We must accept that once a person is dead, there is no purpose in praying for them anymore.  If they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, we will one day be with them in heaven once again if we have also accepted Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-four states, And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.  After the death of their son, David went to Bathsheba and comforted her.  Soon, they had another son named Solomon, meaning peaceful according to Matthew Henry, and the LORD loved him.  Just because David and Bathsheba had suffered because of their sin did not mean that God was going to be angry with them forever.  David had repented and been restored to a right relationship with God.  This is still true.  Our salvation, or right relationship with God, depends on our faith and if we sin and honestly repent, then that relationship is restored.  Even in his grief, David was still God's chosen king, and if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we are His child forever.  Verse twenty-five adds, And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.  God sent for Nathan the prophet and said the child would be called Jedidiah, meaning, Beloved of the LORD, again according to Matthew Henry.  Of course, we know him as Solomon.  Verse twenty-six says, And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.  During this time, Joab was still fighting against Rabbah, an Ammonite, and took the royal city from him.  Even while David was occupied with personal concerns, the war against the enemies of Israel did not cease.  We may be occupied with our own concerns at time and not actively involved in the war against evil, but if we are, we need to pray that other Christians are still fighting the battle.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.  Joab sent word to David of his success in taking the city of waters, which supplied other cities with water, from Rabbah.  If we could cut off the source of power, Satan himself, from supplying his troops, it would be wonderful, but we never will.  Verse twenty-eight continues, Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.  Joab sent for David to come and take credit for taking the city.  Joab was still humbly serving David, just as we as Christians must humbly serve Christ and give Him the honor and glory.  Verse twenty-nine states, And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.  We are then told that David went and fought against Rabbah and took it, though Joab had basically been responsible for the victory.  We should never attempt to take credit for what others have done for God.  Verse thirty adds, And he took their king’s crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David’s head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.  Matthew Henry says David was more interested in having the actual crown since it was very valuable, than he was in the victory.  We should never become more interested in material things than we are in spiritual victories.  Verse thirty-one continues, And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.  Matthew Henry says that David acted cruelly and really with dishonor toward the people of Ammon by the manner in which he put them to death.  As Matthew Henry states, it is one thing to kill an enemy in war and another to simply torture those who may have been captured.  We are not to treat our enemies cruelly if we do overcome them, but must act in a way that brings honor to God.  After this, David and all the people with him returned to Jerusalem. If we are successful in our fight against our enemies today, we must give God the glory and return to serve Him in the next battle. 

2 Samuel 12:13

2 Samuel 12:13 says, And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.  David confessed his sin to Nathan, and Nathan said God had put away his sin, so he wouldn't die immediately.  God puts aside our sins when we confess them and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and we will never die spiritually nor be separated from Him.  Verse fourteen adds, Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.  Nathan then added a howbeit and that was that since David’s actions would bring dishonor to God,  He said the child was going to die.  We might think this a great injustice to the child, but the child would immediately be transported to heaven, which is the greatest reward of all.  David and Bathsheba would be the ones to suffer.  What we need to realize is that when we as Christians sin there will be consequences in this life even though we have everlasting life with God.  Verse fifteen continues, And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.  After Nathan left, the child of David and Bathsheba was stricken by the LORD and became very sick.  Again, from the human perspective this might seem very cruel, but God sees things from the eternal perspective.  Since we are all just passing through this life to then either go to heaven or hell, the only two choices, the child was rewarded with everlasting life with God.  Verse sixteen states, David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.  David prayed to God for the child, fasted and laid down on the ground before God and the people.  David was sincere in his appeal to God and so must we be anytime we pray.  Verse seventeen adds, And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.  The elders of his house attempted to get David up and have him eat, but he wouldn't do it.  Like David, if we are sincerely humbling ourself before God, we should not allow others to stop us from doing so.  Verse eighteen continues, And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? After a week, the child died and David’s servants were afraid to tell him for fear of what he might do to himself when he heard the news.  Our fellow believers should never be afraid to tell us bad news because they are afraid of how we will react.  Verse nineteen declares, But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.  When David heard how his servants were whispering, he perceived that the child was dead and asked them.  They told him that the child was dead.  If we have bad news that we are reluctant to share with someone, we certainly have to tell them the truth when they ask us.  Verse twenty adds, Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.  After receiving the news, David got up, cleaned up, went to the house of the Lord and worshipped Him, and then went to his own house and asked for food.  When we realize that something we have been praying and agonizing about is settled, we need to get up and worship God before we do anything else, even if we don't get the answer that we wanted.  Then, we need to get on with our life following God's leadership.  

2 Samuel 12:1

2 Samuel 12:1 says, And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.  The prophet Nathan was sent by God to David.  As Christians, we need to go where the Holy Spirit sends us.  Nathan under God's guidance spoke to David about two men in the same city, one rich and one poor.  We certainly have enough of that in the world today.  Verse two adds, The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:  Verse three continues, But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  The rich man had large flocks and herds, which he probably thought little about other than the fact that they were his.  The poor men had but one little lamb, which he had lovingly raised and treated like a daughter.  I believe those who are poor often tend to take a personal interest in and value what they have more those who are rich.  Verse four states, And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.  When a traveler came to the rich man, instead of killing one of his own lambs, he took the poor man's lamb and killed it.  I believe that figuratively speaking there are rich men today who are taking poor people's lambs.  Verse five adds, And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:  David was very angry at this rich man and said as the LORD lived, the man would die.  It is easy for us to have righteous indignation against other people, but we need to remember that we are all sinners saved by grace.  Verse six continues, And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.  David said that in addition to being put to death that the rich man would restore to the poor man four fold, because he had felt no pity in what he did.  I believe as a general rule the truly rich have little compassion on the poor.  They build bigger houses and yachts and such as the poor struggle just to have enough to eat.  Verse seven declares, And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;  Nathan the said to David that he was the rich man whom he had just condemned to death.  Of course, even if Uriah were alive, David could not restore his wife fourfold.  Nathan then gave David the message from God, saying that He had appointed David king of Israel and delivered him from Saul’s hand.  David was truly blessed by God.  As Christians, God has delivered us from sin and death, and we are truly blessed.  Verse eight continues, And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.  God pointed out all that He had given David  and told him if he needed more God would have given it to him if he had asked.  God has blessed us with everlasting life, and if we want more, we simply need to ask and He will always supply our needs.  David’s real problem was giving in to his wants and putting his plan into action to get what he wanted.  We should to never be guilty of this.  Verse nine asks, Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.  Nathan asked David how he could despise the commandment of the LORD by having Uriah killed by the Ammonites so that he could have his wife.  David may have thought no one would know what he did, with the possible exception of Joab, but God knew.  If we as followers of Christ sin against God's commandments, no one else may ever know, but God always will.  Verse ten adds, Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.  God then told David that he would never be free of war in his life because of his despising God and taking Uriah's wife.  If we give in to sin, until we repent and ask God's forgiveness, we will never have peace in our life as Christians.  Verse eleven continues, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.  God said that He would raise up evil from within David’s own house and that another would take his wives.   We can debate on whether God actually raises up evil, but personally I believe He simply knew what was going to happen without His protection.  I don't believe that God uses the mistreatment of others, which is what was going to happen to David's wives, to punish us.  We are all responsible for the consequences of our sins, and if others are harmed by them, I don't believe that God causes evil to punish us.  Verse twelve concludes, For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.  God said that even though David had committed this sin in secret that the people of Israel would see what happened to David.  There are no secret sins that we can hide forever.  God knows, and one day I believe that even as Christians if we sin one day we will have to answer for them before God.  Though we have everlasting life through our faith in Jesus Christ, this is never a license to sin.