Many people know David as a man after God’s own heart. However, what they don’t realize is that this happened during his lifetime, with what people saw, but other times he was acting very sinful as many people in this world do. So this saying was made true when he finally repented and came fully to God, while departing from his sinful ways. Surely, when it comes to David’s life, we can compare his faults to our own, before we found Jesus. For he was not perfect in the sight of God, but far from that. What we do learn, however, is that he did repent later on in life, while fully surrendering himself to the Lord, our God. Now, if you are wondering what kinds of things he did, even in 2 Samuel 5, here are some of his sins. #1 There were people that were lame and blind that he hated and wanted to be killed. It reads, 1“and David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” (2 Samuel 5:8) Even in doing this, we learn that David kept seeking the Lord, and He was with him. “And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.” (2 Samuel 5:10)
We are to help those in need, not do harm to them. Also, as Christians, we are to live moral lives in the sight of God. God hates pornography, fornication, and adultery. #2 And David was not excluded from committing such vial things. So we learn that he fell into more sexual sin while taking upon him concubines, along with his six wives. These were his personal mistresses, which he would call them in for illicit sex. This happened when pride set in and he saw his kingdom was exalted by God. It reads, 1“and David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake. And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.” (2 Samuel 5:12-16) So he had more kids, even Solomon, which is not the same son he had with Bathsheba. All this was wicked in the sight of God, for he didn’t care for his first wife, and needed others, along with these prostitutes.
After all this took place, David enquired upon the Lord, not to repent yet, but to know what to do with the Philistines. That story reads, 1“but when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim. And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.” (2 Samuel 5:17-21) This was a good thing that David did, especially since God ordained it. So what do we learn from all of this? That God can be with someone like David and Samson, even when they are living in sin. When God wants to achieve something, he uses any person that is willing. However, as you will read near the end of this book and in Psalms, David was sorrowful for his sins, as He prayed this out to God. And the best verses about sin and coming to the Lord about it is in the Book of Psalms. Praise the Lord.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, thank You for this life. Thank You for helping me, though I don’t always deserve it. You have not left me comfortless, but have poured upon my life the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if I am being led, it is by Your hand and not my own. I once lived apart from Your love, but it was never something that satisfied my soul like it is now. In all my sins was I more pained because of the guilt that was weighing upon my life. I may have liked it in the time that I looked at women to lust, but then felt awful in my heart later on about it. Even the pornography I looked at, ate at my soul afterward while making me feel so dirty inside. I know that I was not acting the way I should have, especially when I went so far, like David did, and had an affair with another woman. This really took me down the road of depression and my soul was heavy with Your wrath. Thank You for not striking me down at that time in my life, while allowing me to surrender myself to you. I may not have known You then, but I am grateful that You have allowed me to come unto You, that I may know You now. The day I pleaded for Your forgiveness, not knowing that You would respond favorably, is when You did come. While in Your presence, I felt peace like never before. It was like You had Your arms around me and never wanted to let me go. Oh, thank You, God. That day, Your mercy fell upon me and I was yours. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. I was once living a life of sin, but all this has changed since You have transformed my life. I have been cleansed by Your blood and am so grateful. You are my Savior and my greatest joy of all. I love an honor You with my whole heart. All the praise and glory to Your mighty Name, Jesus. Amen.