The Tale Of A King And Two Of His Best Friends Part 1

When King David overthrew Jerusalem and drove out the Hittites and the Jebusites, he befriended two men, Uriah the Hittie and Araunah the Jebusite.  These men had favor with David.  Both men would be victims of David’s gravest sins.  We will first discuss his sin against Uriah in Part 1 and Araunah in Part 2. 

Going back in time, imagine yourself as a top advisor to the leader of God’s chosen nation and God places the responsibility upon your shoulders to show the king his grave sin.  The king’s backsliding into unthinkable behavior; separated him from God.  You personally know the King and you know that this was out of character for him.  You are loyal to the king and you want to help him find his way back to God, you want to help lead him to repentance.  Imagine if you were Nathan the prophet, sent on an assignment from God to show the king his sin.

David committed adultery with one of his best friend’s wife while the man, Uriah was away fighting in the army.  When she discovers that she is pregnant, David calls Uriah back for a rest and relaxation leave.  This would cover David’s sin.  But Uriah, in good conscience can’t find comfort in his wife’s arms while his fellow soldiers are on the battlefield.  David tries everything to get Uriah to go home to his wife.  When he refuses, David sends him back into battle; taking back with him his own death warrant in a dispatch to General Joab.  Uriah is then killed in battle.   Here is what Nathan said to David:  

“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.  (2)  The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:  (3)  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.  (4)  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.  (5)  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:  (6)  And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.  (7)  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;” (2 Samuel 12:1-7)

David repented and we can read his lament over his sin and his plea to God, knowing that he didn’t deserve God’s mercy.  We see David’s heart in Psalm 51.  It is the hallmark scripture to lead us to repentance.  David acknowledged his sin and said it was “ever before him.”  (verse 3) and claims it without excuse and asks God,   “deliver me from bloodguiltiness” (verse 14).  These next words need to live in our hearts daily as we die daily to sin:

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  (8)  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.  (9)  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  (10)  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  (11)  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  (12)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  (13)  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” (Psalms 51:7-13) 

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.  (18)  Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem” (Psalms 51:17-18).

David was a man after God’s own heart because he owned his sin and quickly repented.  We will make mistakes and sin.  What we do when that happens will show our true heart.  Is it hard like stone, or easily broken?  Do we have a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart?  Are we building up the walls of the church?

Prayer:  Heavenly Father you broke me before your altar and before the baptismal waters.  You have carried my sin, sickness and pain.  I am whole in you and at one with you as long as I have a contrite heart, as long as I die daily to sin.  Transform me into one after you own heart.   In Jesus’ name, Amen.