2 Samuel 12:24-25
Verse 24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him;
Having lost their son due to their sin, David knew it was time to come beside Bathsheba who had lost much in the last year. Because of his desire of her beauty, David had led her into sin and then caused her husband to be killed. She had lost her uncomplicated life for a life on an emotional roller coaster.
Having repented of his sin to God, David would have seen his newest wife in a new light. We know he had come to understand how his choices had affected her life. Yes, he was grieving his son but he wasn’t the only one who had lost the boy. There was also the matter of what David had done to Uriah. David had wronged God and repented but that didn’t mean he didn’t owe Bathsheba an apology as well. Or maybe a few apologies.
Imagine what that conversation would look like. David comes to see the mother of his recently deceased son and can see the redness around her swollen eyes. This beautiful creature whom he had been smitten with at first sight was looking broken, because she was and it was his fault. The last eight months or so had been wonderful as they had enjoyed getting to know each other thinking they could leave the past in the past and then the last week had proven the past wasn’t forgotten.
The king approached his wife and knew he had some mending to do. With possible tears he openly confessed all he had done. It wasn’t that she didn’t know about his sins but he had to admit them out loud to her. He had desired what wasn’t his and took advantage of her, then knowing he had caused her to be pregnant, commanded that the army act in a way which would ensure the death of her husband. David had to make sure he confessed each of those sins which had led to her current heartache.
Their relationship could have continued without the confessions but it wouldn’t have the depth they could enjoy after clearing the air of their sinful acts towards one another. This is a practice we would do well to understand and put into practice. Too often we wrong those in our house and just expect the forgiveness we hope for without actually admitting to the other party we wronged them. True forgiveness and reconciliation don’t happen by chance but through repentance and forgiveness.
Making It Personal
When have you done something wrong but not confessed it to the person you have wronged? Do you readily forgive someone if they haven’t admitted they have wronged you and asked for your forgiveness? Who do you need to confess something to today?
Making It Personal Kids
Why is it important to tell someone how you have sinned against them instead of just saying you are sorry? Have you ever told someone you were sorry but didn’t really mean it? Who do you need to talk to about something you did against them?
Closing Prayer
Father, we confess to You that we aren’t very good about verbally admitting when we have done something to hurt another person. Please give us softened hearts so we will desire to be honest with each other. And give us forgiving hearts so when confession is made we readily forgive just as You have forgiven us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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