Where should our value, identity, and security in life come from? Who or what should we rely upon? As human beings we will depend upon, put our faith in, what we see our strength to be. David’s decision to take a census and his response afterwards speaks to us about living a life of faith in God.
David & Nathan
How can someone who commits adultery and murder be called a person after God’s own heart? Being after God’s own heart is not about our performance, but our response to God’s heart. When God confronted David over his sins, David did what people after God’s heart do. He didn’t just admit his sin, he confessed and repented. If we want a heart after God’s, we need to make healthy confession a regular practice in our relationship with God and others.
David & Bathsheba
Sometimes people try to exonerate or minimize David’s actions towards Bathsheba and her first husband Uriah. The biblical author sees David as solely responsible for his moral failings, his sinful actions towards Bathsheba, Uriah, and others. David abused his power and authority as King of Israel here. The way of Jesus is to leverage our power and authority to bless others.
David & Michal
Michal is often known for her bitter comments to David when he celebrated the Ark coming into Jerusalem. And even though we might understand why she had reason to feel bitter against David and even God, we also see the cost of bitterness. Bitterness always isolates us from healthy relationships.