2 Samuel 12:18-20
Verse 19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”
The whole of the palace had been feeling the pain of the terminal illness the young prince was experiencing. Everyone was coping to the best of their ability as they watched the infant suffer more and more. A week into the illness the child dies. The moment had been dreaded by all and those who were attending David knew they must inform him the time had come. No one wanted to be the one to tell the king. No one likes to be the bearer of bad news and their care of their king made it even harder.
They had been watching the king refuse food over and over for the last week and if his mourning was so deep during the illness how much more it would be at the moment of death. They knew a servant bearing bad news could suffer physically even to the point of death and yet the king needed to know his young son was dead. They also may have been concerned the king would do something rash to himself at the news. They had been watching him act in the pits of depression for the last 7 days and the bad news was likely to throw him even deeper.
The attendants knew they had a job to do and so they approach the king. Before they could say anything David asks them if the child is dead. He doesn’t beat around the bush but comes right to the point. He could see the fear of their faces and knew he must put them at ease.
Doing the opposite of what was expected of him, David got up and started the post grieving process. That’s right, while the normal time of grieving was about 7 days, the king doesn’t begin at the child’s death. It was as though he thought he had spent the last 7 days mourning for his son and all his son’s death represented and he was now ready to move forward.
It is what he did after getting up and bathing that we need to allow to make its mark on our hearts. While he had just spent the last 7 days begging God to go against His character and save the child, the king cleanses himself and heads to the Tabernacle to worship God for who He is. He doesn’t curse the Lord for not saving the child but rather worships Him for keeping His word, once again proving he was God’s man.
Making It Personal
Do you find it hard to worship God when you receive the consequences of your sins? Why is it important to know the truth of God’s character to worship Him properly? Is your worship based on His goodness to you or who He is?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you find it hard to be happy about getting what you deserve instead of what you want? Is it important to worship Jesus even when bad things happen? Why does He deserve your worship?
Closing Prayer
Father, we worship You because there is no other worthy of our complete adoration. Your character is true and faithful, what You say You will do, You do. Help us accept Your correction in our lives and praise You for it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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