As many of you know, I am healing from a deep sorrow since losing my husband by his own choice last July and my earthly father by natural causes last October.
We expected my earthly father’s death. But my husband’s shocked all who knew him.
Thus, the journey of healing I am on is complicated.
I shared part of my experience in my first post back after a six-month break from writing.
Today’s passage was hard for me to work through because it touches on the themes of deep sorrow.
Yet, it also provides an opportunity to learn why the Lord is worthy of our worship, no matter the source of our deep sorrow.
Join me in this study of 2 Samuel 12:15-23 and portions of Psalm 51.
Deep Sorrow that Led to Worship
A Study on 2 Samuel 12:15-23
15And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. [1]
Why did the Lord afflict David’s child? (See 2 Samuel 12:7-14)
What does David’s response reveal about David?
17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” [2]
How did David’s sorrow affect the elders of his house?
19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.[3]
What actions did David take after learning the child was dead?
21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”[4]
Why were David’s servants perplexed by his actions?
22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” [5]
What was David’s motivation? (See 2 Samuel 12:13-15)
Deep Sorrow that Led to Worship
David’s Confession to the Lord
This is a painful story from David’s life.
David came face to face with his own hard-hearted sinfulness, having not only fathered a child with another man’s wife but also killing that man to cover up his sin.
Psalm 51 shares the details of David’s confession to the Lord.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin! [6]
Why is it important that David start his confession by asking for mercy?
David continues,
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment. [7]
How can David say that his sin was against only the Lord when he also harmed others by his actions?
In 2 Samuel 12:22, David revels he pleaded for the child’s life, hoping the Lord would be merciful. Yet, David accepts the Lord’s decision to take the child’s life as just.
List some reasons the Lord’s decision was justified.
Skipping ahead in the Psalm, the transition from deep sorrow to worship blooms in David’s heart.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit. [8]
Is there anything in your own life that you need to pray these words for yourself? For someone else?
What does the joy of the Lord’s salvation mean to you?
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise. [9]
David had tried to cover up his sins but now offers to teach others how to turn away from their sins and follow the Lord instead.
Who in your life are you helping with this type of teaching?
Who is helping you stay faithful to the Lord’s ways?
How does studying this painful story from David’s life help you see it is possible to praise and worship the Lord even amidst deep sorrow?
Heavenly Father, as we walk our faith journey’s, sometimes through deep sorrow either from things we have done or because of what others have done that were terribly wrong, may we take comfort as David did you are not only a just God, but a merciful one too. Help us see Your mercies daily and enable us to praise your Holy Name, regardless of our circumstances.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Sa 12:15–16.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Sa 12:16–18.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Sa 12:19–20.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Sa 12:21.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Sa 12:22–23.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 51:1–2.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 51:3–4.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 51:10–12.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 51:13–15.