II Samuel Chapter 2 records the story of David, “a man after God’s own heart.” We glorify David at times for being such an awesome king, but let us not forget that David made mistakes…BIG mistakes.
He slept with another man’s wife, impregnated her, and killed her husband to cover it up!
Can you say…Bathsheba?
I always BEG my mother not to talk about me at work because I don’t want anyone to put me on a pedestal. Sometimes we idolize people in our lives for being so great, and the minute they make a mistake we’re ready to yell, “crucify him” just as they did Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful thing to have mentors and people you look up to, but never idolize. Remember the first commandment was that we have no other gods before the true and living God (Jesus Christ).
David was King, but he fell into temptation. I am sure there were those that looked up to him and thought, “how could he!?” How could he? He’s human. He’s flesh. One thing we should remember about David, however, is that David repented. You will notice his shame in Psalm 51.
Psalm 51
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
David did fall, and you may fall, but what does the Bible say?
Micah 7:8
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Arise! Remember David.
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Kari L. Brown offers mentoring to students and professionals struggling with success and maintaining a personal relationship with God. For more information visit www.karilbrown.com, follow @karilbrown on Twitter, or become a fan of the 3S Mentality on Facebook (www.facebook.com/3SMentality).
