2 Samuel 12: David Destroys His Own, ☧ Guides & Spares

Rev. Mark Jasa, pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Pasadena, California, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 2 Samuel 12.

“As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” Nathan’s story touches a nerve with David in chapter 12—the poor shepherd boy from Bethlehem lashes out at the pitiless Nabals and Sauls of his life. God mercifully uses this story of law to guide David to repentance, and when David confesses, God spares his life with Nathan’s word of gospel. There are, however, still consequences. Just as how David killed his own soldiers as collateral damage when he targeted Uriah, so too has David destroyed his own family with his murder of Uriah. Yet God works good from David’s evil, and the firstborn of David & Bathsheba atones and saves, just as God's own firstborn would later save and atone for us all.