| ADULTERY AND MURDER |
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| God had his spokesmen, the prophets. He sent Nathan to David. Nathan cleverly captivated David with a heartrending story about a rich man who had abused his power. He offered the case to David, the highest judge in Israel. David knew exactly how to judge such a case: the man deserved death! When he said so, Nathan turned David's own judgment around: "You are the man!" In this dramatic scene David's greatness showed itself. He could easily have had Nathan killed. Or he could have laughed and shown him out of the palace. Instead, "David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord' " (12:13). David recognized that God was the true king of Israel. Nathan's confrontation with David set the standard for centuries of conflict between kings and prophets. Time and again an Old Testament prophet went to the palace - sometimes risking his life - and told the king that God would punish him for what he was doing. The kings, rich and powerful by birth, did not have to listen. In fact, they rarely did. David was a great king partly because he did not act with the normal pride of a king. When confronted with the truth, he repented. Life Questions:What determines your choices? Your own desires? Or your understanding of God's will? Think of some recent decisions you have made and apply this question to them. |
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