The surprising truth about God’s grace and forgiveness (2 Sam 12:15-31)

I don’t know if you have ever felt as a child that you had to be on your best behaviour after some major upset when you had done something wrong. Although the storm may have blown over, we may still feel like we are on probation. The same applies to our behaviour to God. He may have forgiven us, but we tiptoe around Him, in case we anger Him. David’s behaviour in our reading is rather different and it highlights the surprising truth about forgiveness and God’s grace. The king’s approach is so unusual, in fact, that his servants completely misunderstand him. David’s refusal to eat or get off the ground while the child is ill (2 Sam 12:16-17) suggest that he is mourning – unusual when his son is still alive. Even more surprising is his return to normality when the child dies (grieving ended with washing, a change of clothing and the breaking of one’s fast; 2 Sam 12:19-20). Thus, the king’s attitude is diagonally opposite to normal social expectations, as his nonplussed servants point out to him (2 Sam 12:21).

David’s bold request

David’s response is illuminating about the nature of grace. While most of us would have felt that we must acquiesce in whatever is coming our way because of our sin, David boldly pleads for his child’s life (2 Sam 12:22). He understands God’s grace, which is more lavish and generous than we can ever imagine, and he knows that the Lord is willing to respond to the anxious prayers of his servants. Yet, notice the way he recognises that God is not obliged to do anything (‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious…’). Like the Ninevites who hoped for pardon when they said, ‘Who knows, God may turn and relent…’ (Jonah 3:9), David does not presume on God’s grace. This is particularly evident when he is denied what he has requested. The king does not go into a huff but submits to God’s wisdom and accepts His decision (2 Sam 12:23).

Wiping the slate clean

Although it may seem self-evident that forgiveness means the wiping of the slate clean, such true forgiveness is so rare among human beings that it is easy for us to forget that God’s forgiveness is truly the end of a matter. The death of the child signalled God’s disapproval of David’s sordid affair to all, but now for the first time, Bathsheba is called David’s wife (2 Sam 12:24) instead of Uriah’s. This is a subtle indication that after God’s discipline, David and Bathsheba’s marriage is now recognised as legitimate. David himself has changed through his experience and for the first time in the relationship we see his concern for her (he comforts her; v.24). Strikingly, the narrator calls her by name perhaps to highlight David’s recognition of her as a person in her own right and not just someone to be used (whereas earlier, apart from David’s inquiry regarding her identity [2 Sam 11:3], she is always referred to as ‘she’, ‘the woman’, or ‘Uriah’s wife’). Moreover, the conception of a son, Solomon, and Nathan’s message that the Lord loved the child (2 Sam 12:25) stress God’s willingness to start with David afresh. Finally, the victorious conclusion of the war with the Ammonites (started before David’s downfall) sees David once again at the helm (2 Sam 12:26-31), where he needs to be as king.[1]

A forgiving attitude to emulate

The aftermath of David’s sin gives us an insight into the extraordinary character of this man who was able to receive God’s forgiveness wholeheartedly and with confidence even to the point of boldly pleading with the Lord for his child’s life. He fully understood the surprising truth that forgiveness meant the slate wiped clean and he trusted the Lord as a gracious and compassionate God whom he could turn to in his anguish. Yet, he also knew when to stop asking and to accept the Lord’s decision. His attitude reminds us of the wonderful assurance we can have that God cares for us even when we are his sinful children and that when we truly repent, we can be fully restored to him. It also challenges us to be people who forgive others and act as generously as our heavenly Father does to us.

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[1] It is uncertain what 2 Sam 12:31 means but the most likely option is that the Ammonites became forced labourers.

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