2 Samuel 23

2 Samuel 23

Utley - There is some confusion between "3" and "30" throughout this chapter (i.e., vv. 8,13,18,19,23,24). Apparently there was a military leadership of two levels. three main leaders of the elite group of thirty leaders thirty special leaders of military groupings; this is a title and not a number (cf. v. 39) The JPSOA translates this as "another three," implying a third division of the elite military commanders. the three another three the thirty 2 Samuel 23:19 He was most honored of the thirty, therefore he became their commander; however, he did not attain to the three. NET 2 Samuel 23:19 From the three he was given honor and he became their officer, even though he was not one of the three. CSB 2 Samuel 23:19 Was he not more honored than the Three? He became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three. ESV 2 Samuel 23:19 He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three. NIV 2 Samuel 23:19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them. NLT 2 Samuel 23:19 Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three. NRS 2 Samuel 23:19 He was the most renowned of the Thirty, and became their commander; but he did not attain to the Three. NJB 2 Samuel 23:19 He was a most illustrious member of the Thirty and became their captain, but he was not equal to the Three. attain: 2Sa 23:9,13,16 1Ch 11:25 Mt 13:8,23 1Co 15:41 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABISHAI HONORED WITH COMMAND He was most honored of the thirty, therefore he became their commander (officer) - Abishai's reputation as a warrior rose to the top of the thirty However (term of contrast), he did not attain to the three - Either he did not attain to the honor of the other three or he was not included among them. 2 Samuel 23:20 Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. Benaiah: 2Sa 8:18 20:23 1Ki 1:8,26,38 2:29-35,46 1Ch 18:17 27:5,6 Kabzeel: Jos 15:21 he slew: Ex 15:15 two sons of Ariel of Moab 2Sa 1:23 1Ch 11:22-24 12:8 killed a lion: Jdg 14:5,6 1Sa 17:34-37 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: 1 Chronicles 11:22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day. 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers. 2 Samuel 20:23 Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites (THE BODYGUARDS OF DAVID) NEXT MIGHTY MAN BENAIAH Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds - Benaiah was one of David's mighty warriors, son of Jehoiada the chief priest, a Levite, and was set by David over his bodyguard. Benaiah remained devoted to David during Absalom’s rebellion (2Sa 20:23; 2Sa 15:18) and also when Adonijah attempted to take control of David’s throne (1Ki 1:8) thus remaining faithful to Solomon with the result that he was raised into the place of Joab as commander-in-chief of the army. JEHOIADA - Father of Benaiah, the captain of David's body-guard (2Sa 8:18; 2Sa 20:23; 23:20,22; 1 Ki 1:8, etc.). Jehoiada was "the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel" (2 Sam 23:20), but commentators read with Septuagint and Ewald, "Benaiah (the son of Jehoiada) a man of valor." Kabzeel was a town belonging to Judah on the border of Edom in the South (Josh 15:21). In 1 Ch 27:5, we read "Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief," the Revised Version (British and American), but the Revised Version margin has "chief minister" wrongly. Yet Jehoiada is nowhere else called a priest or even a Levite, though in 1 Ch 12:27 (Hebrew, verse 28) a Jehoiada is mentioned as a military "leader of the house of Aaron," who came to David to Hebron with other members of the house of Levi. In 1 Ch 27:34 there is named among David's counselors, "Jehoiada the son. of Benaiah," where some commentators would read with two manuscripts, "Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada" though Curtis, Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Books of Chronicles, 295, keeps the Massoretic Text. KABZEEL - kab'-ze-el, kab'-zel (kabhtse'el "(whom) God collects"): One of the "uttermost cities" of Judah toward the border of Edom in the South (Negeb) (Josh 15:21). It was the native place of Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, one of David's mighty men (2 Sam 23:20; 1 Ch 11:22). "Jekabzeel and the villages thereof," one of the places re-inhabited by the men of Judah (Neh 11:25), appears to be the same place. The site is unknown. killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab - KJV has "lionlike men of Moab." NIV = "He struck down two of Moab's best men." Ariel = "lion of God He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day - Not only was he known for killing strong lionlike men of Moab but killing a lion. NLT says "Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it." QUESTION - Who was Benaiah in the Bible? ANSWER - Several men in the Bible bear the name Benaiah, but one stands out from the rest. Benaiah, son of the chief priest Jehoiada, was one of David’s “mighty men”—his toughest military troop. The Bible describes Benaiah as a fearless warrior noted for his heroic exploits. This Benaiah is the brilliant fighter who famously “went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion” (1 Chronicles 11:22). Benaiah was from the southern Judean city of Kabzeel. Before David became king, Benaiah was making a name for himself through numerous daring military achievements: “He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors” (2Sa 23:20–22). When David fled from King Saul, he placed Benaiah in command of “the thirty” (1 Chronicles 27:6), a select group of warriors second only to “the three” of highest rank and bravery. Later, when Joab was made commander-in-chief, Benaiah was appointed to a high place in David’s armed forces as commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites, an elite mercenary company in David’s bodyguard from Crete and Philistia (2 Samuel 8:18; 20:23; 23:23; 1 Chronicles 18:17). Benaiah’s loyalty to King David earned him the rank of third army commander, with 24,000 men in his division. This troop served as part of the army rotation system established by King David (1 Chronicles 27:1–6). Benaiah remained devoted to David during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 20:23; see also 15:18) and also when Adonijah attempted to take control of David’s throne (1 Kings 1:8). Benaiah was instrumental in safeguarding the passing of the royal succession to Solomon after David’s death and thus gained the honor of assisting in Solomon’s coronation at Gihon (1 Kings 1:32–40). As Solomon’s supreme army commander and chief bodyguard, Benaiah was responsible for executing those who opposed the new king, including Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei (1 Kings 2:25, 34, 46). Benaiah, a popular Hebrew name, means “the Lord has built.” Other men named Benaiah in the Bible include a warrior from the town of Pirathon, who was also one of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:30; 1 Chronicles 11:31). This Benaiah was commander of 24,000 troops as well, in the eleventh division of King David’s army (1 Chronicles 27:14). 1 Chronicles 4:36 mentions a Benaiah as a descendant of Simeon and leader of his tribe. This Benaiah participated in the conquest of Gedor during Hezekiah’s reign. Another Benaiah was one of the musicians and priests who blew the trumpet as the ark of God was brought into Jerusalem by King David (1 Chronicles 15:24). Later, he was appointed to minister in music regularly before the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 16:6). At least eight other Benaiahs appear briefly in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 27:34; 2 Chronicles 20:14; 31:13; Ezra 10:25, 30, 35, 43; 11:1, 13). But none of these distinguish themselves like David’s elite warrior, the Benaiah who single-handedly executed Moab’s top soldiers, jumped into a pit in a snowstorm to wrestle and kill a lion, and outmaneuvered an Egyptian giant, slaying him with his own spear.GotQuestions.org 2 Samuel 23:21 He killed an Egyptian, an impressive man. Now the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. an impressive man 1Ch 11:23, a man of great stature killed him: 1Sa 17:51 Col 2:15 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BENAIAH'S BRAVERY AGAINST A GOLIATH SIZED MAN He (Benaiah) killed an Egyptian, an impressive (NET - impressive looking; CSB - huge) man. Now the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear - Benaiah was notable for his bravery in this case against a particularly formidable opponent, 1Ch 11:23 stating that Benaiah "killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature five cubits tall (SEVEN AND A HALF FEET TALL). Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam (LIKE GOLIATH'S IN 1Sa 17:7), but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear." The NLT says "Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it." 2 Samuel 23:22 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and had a name as well as the three mighty men. 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BENAIAH'S FEATS GAINED HIM FAME These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and had a name as well as the three mighty men - Benaiah gained fame even among the three elite warriors, which the NLT refers to as the "three mightiest warriors." 2 Samuel 23:23 He was honored among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David appointed him over his guard. He was honored among the thirty 1Ch 27:6 over his guard: 2Sa 8:8 2Sa 20:23 1Sa 22:14 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 2 Samuel 20:23 Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 1 Chronicles 27:6 This Benaiah was the mighty man of the thirty, and had charge of thirty; and over his division was Ammizabad his son. BENAIAH HONORED AMONG THE THIRTY He was honored among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David appointed him over his guard - NET = "He received honor from the thirty warriors, though he was not one of the three elite warriors. David put him in charge of his bodyguard." THE THIRTY - A KEY PHRASE - 2Sa 23:13; 2Sa 23:18; 2Sa 23:19; 2Sa 23:23; 2Sa 23:24; 1Ch 11:11; 1Ch 11:15; 1Ch 11:20; 1Ch 11:25; 1Ch 12:4; 1Ch 12:18; 1Ch 27:6 2 Samuel 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was among the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, Asahel: 2Sa 2:18 1Ch 11:26 1Ch 27:7 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 2 Samuel 2:18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab and Abishai and Asahel; and Asahel was as swift-footed as one of the gazelles which is in the field. 1 Chronicles 11:26 Now the mighty men of the armies were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 1 Chronicles 27:7 The fourth for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his division were 24,000. OTHER OF DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN Asahel ("God made" or "made by God") the brother of Joab was among the thirty - The brother of Joab and Abishai. The three were sons of Zeruiah, one of David's sisters (1 Ch 2:15,16; 2 Sam 2:18, etc.). The three brothers seem to have been from the beginning members of David's troop of strangely respectable brigands. Asahel was distinguished for his swift running, and this fact brought misfortune upon him and upon Israel. When Abner and the forces of Ish-bosheth were defeated near Gibeon, Asahel pursued Abner. Abner knew that he could outright Asahel, though he could not outrun him. He also knew that the time had come for making David king, and that a blood feud among the leaders would be a calamity. He expostulated with Asahel, but in vain. It came to a fight, and Abner slew Asahel (2 Sam 2:3). As a result the coming of David to the throne of all Israel was delayed; and when at last Abner brought it about, he himself was treacherously killed by Joab in alleged blood revenge for Asahel. Asahel is mentioned as sixth in the list of David's "mighty men" (2 Sam 23:24; 1 Ch 11:26). The earlier of the names in this list are evidently arranged in the order of seniority. If it be assumed that the list was not made till after the death of Asahel, still there is no difficulty in the idea that some of the names in the list were placed there posthumously. Asahel is also mentioned as the fourth of David's month-by-month captains (1 Ch 27:7). Elhanan ("God has been gracious") the son of Dodo of Bethlehem - Note this Elhanan is different from the one described in 2Sa 21:19 who slew Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, the Gittite (1Chr. 20:5). Note also that that there are two men in chapter 23 named Dodo, the first being the father of Eleazar (2Sa 23:9) and this Dodo, the father of Elhanan. Charles Ryrie points out that "The thirty composed the elite core of David's mighty men, to which replacements were added as men were killed. The active number was kept at 30 warriors; hence the list contains more than 30 names. (Borrow Ryrie Study Bible) THE THIRTY - A KEY PHRASE - 2Sa 23:13; 2Sa 23:18; 2Sa 23:19; 2Sa 23:23; 2Sa 23:24; 1Ch 11:11; 1Ch 11:15; 1Ch 11:20; 1Ch 11:25; 1Ch 12:4; 1Ch 12:18; 1Ch 27:6 2 Samuel 23:25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, Shammah: 1Ch 11:27-28, Shammoth the Harorite 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 11:27-28 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, Shammah the Harodite - Distinct from Shamman the son of Agee the Hararite in 2Sa 23:11. Elika the Harodite - The Septuagint omits Elika and his name is also omitted in the parallel passage in 1 Ch 11:27, where "Harorite" is a clerical error for "Harodite," the Hebrew letter daleth ("d") being taken for the Hebrew letter resh ("r"). Possibly Harodite may be connected with the well of HAROD 2 Samuel 23:26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Paltite: 1Ch 11:27 1Ch 27:10, Pelonite Ira: 1Ch 11:28 27:9 Tekoite: 2Sa 14:2 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 11:27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 1 Chronicles 27:10 The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim; and in his division were 24,000. Helez the Paltite One of David's mighty men; according to 1Ch 27:10, he belonged to the sons of Ephraim and was at the head of the 7th course in David's organization of the kingdom. Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite - Ira is distinct from Ira the Jairite and priest of David in (2Sa 20:26) 2 Samuel 23:27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, Abiezer: 1Ch 11:28, Antothite Mebunnai: 1Ch 11:29, Sibbecai 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Abiezer ("father of help") the Anathothite - In Abiezer the Anathothite of the Benjamites; and in his division were 24,000. He is one of One of David's mighty men, "the Anathothite" (2 Sam 23:27; 1 Ch 11:28), who was also one of David s month-by-month captains, his month being the ninth (1 Ch 27:12). Mebunnai ("building of Jehovah") the Hushathite - One of David's mighty men. In 2Sa 21:18 he is named "Sibbechai" and is mentioned as the slayer of a Philistine giant. In 1 Chronicles 11:29 it reads "Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite." Easton's says he is one of David's heroes (1 Chr. 11:29), general of the eighth division of the army (1Ch 27:11). He slew the giant Saph in the battle of Gob (2 Sam. 21:18; R.V., "Sibbechai"). Called also Mebunnai (23:27). 2 Samuel 23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Maharai: 1Ch 11:30 27:13 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Zalmon ("shady") the Ahohite - One of David's warriors also Ilai (1 Chr. 11:29). Maharai (impetuous) the Netophathite - ISBE - One of David's "braves" (2 Sam 23:28; 1 Ch 11:30; 27:13). He was one of the 12 monthly captains of David's administration, and took the 10th month in rotation. He was of the family of Zerah, and dwelt in Netophah in Judah. 2 Samuel 23:29 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, Heleb: 1Ch 11:30, Heled, 1Ch 27:15, Heldai Ittai: 1Ch 11:31, Ithai 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: 1 Chronicles 11:30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 1 Chronicles 27:15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel; and in his division were 24,000. Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, - ISBE - A captain of the temple-service, appointed for the 12th month (1 Ch 27:15). Same as Heled (cheledh) in parallel list (compare 1 Ch 11:30), and is probably also to be identified with Heleb, son of Baanah the Metophathite, one of David's heroic leaders (2 Sam 23:29). Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin - 1 Chronicles 11:31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 2 Samuel 23:30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, Benaiah: 1Ch 11:31 27:14 Pirathonite: Jdg 12:15 Hiddai: 1Ch 11:32, Hurai brooks: De 1:24 Jdg 2:9 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Benaiah a Pirathonite - Not the same as Benaiah in 2Sa 23:20, 22. Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash - 1 Chronicles 11:32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 2 Samuel 23:31 Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, Abi-albon: 1Ch 11:32, Abiel Barhumite: 1Ch 11:33 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Abi-albon the Arbathite, 1 Chronicles 11:32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite 1 Chronicles 11:33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 2 Samuel 23:32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, Jashen: 1Ch 11:34, Hashem, the Gizonite 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan 2 Samuel 23:33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite, Shammah: 1Ch 11:27 Sharar: 1Ch 11:35, Sacar 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite 2 Samuel 23:34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Eliam: 2Sa 11:3 15:31 17:23 1Ch 27:33,34 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 2 Samuel 23:35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, Hezrai: 1Ch 11:37, Hezro 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 2 Samuel 23:36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, Igal: 1Ch 11:38, Joel 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 2 Samuel 23:37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers of Joab the son of Zeruiah, Zelek: 1Ch 11:39 Nahari: 1Ch 11:37 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 2 Samuel 23:38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Ira: 2Sa 20:26 1Ch 2:53, 11:40 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 2 Samuel 23:39 Uriah the Hittite; thirty-seven in all. Uriah: 2Sa 11:3,6-27 12:9 1Ki 15:5 1Ch 11:41 Mt 1:6 thirty and seven in all: in the parallel place in 1 Chronicles, there are sixteen added! 2 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Uriah the Hittite; thirty-seven in all. QUESTION - Who was Uriah the Hittite? ANSWER - Uriah was a Hittite who had become part of King David’s mighty men; he is most known for being the husband of Bathsheba. There is much we can learn from Uriah and the account involving him. We assume that all who were counted among David’s mighty men were men David deemed to be trustworthy. In the account of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah, we see just how honorable Uriah was. The story is found in 2 Samuel 11. During the spring, the usual time for battles, the military forces of Israel went to war under the leadership of General Joab, while King David remained in Jerusalem. As David was walking around one day, he saw Bathsheba bathing on the roof of her house and was intrigued by her beauty. He sent someone to ask about her and discovered she was Uriah’s wife. Unfortunately, that knowledge did not dissuade David from acting on his lust; the king summoned Bathsheba to the palace and slept with her. As a result, she became pregnant. After Bathsheba told David that she was pregnant, he tried to cover up his adultery. His first plan was to call Uriah home from battle. After asking how the battle was going, David told Uriah to go to his house and even sent along a gift for him. The idea was that, while he was home, Uriah would sleep with his wife, and thus he and others would think that the coming child belonged to Uriah. But Uriah was a man of principle. He did not go back to his house but remained at the palace entrance among the king’s servants. When David learned of this the next morning, he asked Uriah why he hadn’t gone home. “Uriah said to David, ‘The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!’” (2 Samuel 11:11). Though Uriah had been granted a temporary reprieve from battle by the king, he was a true soldier and chose to remain focused on his mission. Uriah could not fathom indulging his own pleasures while his band of brothers were fighting a battle that still needed to be won. David asked Uriah to stay one more day and invited Uriah to eat and drink with him. David plied him with alcohol, and Uriah got drunk, but that night he still refused to return to his house and his wife’s embrace. Even drunk, Uriah retained his honor as a soldier. Seeing that his plot to make Uriah believe the baby was his was not going to work, David turned to another, even more sinister plan. The king sent Uriah back to the battle bearing an official letter that instructed Joab, the commander of the army, to place Uriah where the fighting was fiercest and then to withdraw from him, leaving Uriah to die at the hands of the enemy. Joab followed orders, and Uriah the Hittite was killed, along with some others of David’s army. A messenger brought news of Uriah’s death to David, who sent this message back to Joab: “Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another” (2 Samuel 11:25). Murdering Uriah did not resolve David’s problems, of course. After the time for mourning ended, David took Bathsheba to be his wife. “But the thing David had done displeased the LORD” (2 Samuel 11:27). God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David regarding his sin. Nathan told a story of a rich man with many sheep and cattle and a poor man who had only one ewe lamb that was like a daughter to him. The rich man refused to use a sheep of his own to prepare a meal for a traveler and instead took the poor man’s ewe. “David burned with anger against the man” and even said the man should die and must pay four times the amount the lamb was worth (2 Samuel 12:5–6). “Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’” (2 Samuel 12:7). The prophet proceeded to describe all that God had given David and God’s willingness to give more. He asked why David had despised God’s word by doing evil, having Uriah killed and taking Uriah’s wife. Nathan also told David that the sword would never depart from his house, that his wives would be taken from him publicly, and that the son he had conceived with Bathsheba would die. All of this happened. In a quick summation of David’s life, 1 Kings 15:5 says, “David had done what was right in the eyes of the Lord and had not failed to keep any of the Lord’s commands all the days of his life—except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.” David’s evil scheme against the honorable Uriah was a blot on an otherwise stellar record. Uriah was a casualty of someone else’s sin. He serves as an example of loyalty and honor and a reminder that our sin has consequences beyond ourselves. We’re glad to note that David repented. Psalm 51 is his confession to God and a beautiful prayer for all of us when we sin. God also chose to give David and Bathsheba another son—Solomon, who would become the next king and an ancestor of Jesus, the Messiah. God forgave David, just as He is willing to forgive us (1 John 1:9).GotQuestions.org