The Word: 2 Samuel 12:13-14

“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall die.’”

This passage follows the great sin of David: His adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). After committing adultery with Bathsheba, she was found pregnant (11:5). Then, David sought to cover up his sin by manipulating her husband Uriah to sleep with her, but he would not (11:6-13). Finally, David wrote Uriah’s death letter and had Uriah deliver it to his General Joab to orchestrate Uriah’s death on the battlefield (11:14-26). This declaration was given on the whole situation: “But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD” (11:27)

Afterward, the LORD sent a man named Nathan to come and confront David for his sin. The confrontation was not initially; the prophet was wise to lead David into the conclusion himself before announcing the sentence of condemnation (2 Samuel 12:1-7). Those words likely resounded in David’s mind for the rest of his life: “You are the man!” See, the LORD had greatly blessed David and anointed Him with great favor (12:7-8). However, David’s prosperity got the best of him, and he did not keep watch on himself and thus fell into sin which would result in ongoing consequences in his life (12:9-12; see also the rest of David’s life for an unfolding of Nathan’s prophecy).

In response to the rebuke from the LORD through Nathan, David acknowledged, confessed, and repented of his sin (12:13a). The good news for David was that “The LORD, the LORD God, [is] compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7a). Yet, forgiveness does not mean a removal of consequences (2 Samuel 12:14). The personal consequences of David’s sin was that he would lose his next son, which came about as he was told (12:15-23). Yet, this story reveals that the consequences of sin are more than just personal.

Beyond the impact that David’s sin had on the life of his lost child, he also faced an unintended consequence. Return to 2 Samuel 12:14 and notice what Nathan told David again: “However, because of this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme[.]” The high position that David held as king of Israel meant that his example and influence had a great impact on the people and the surrounding nations. David’s sin had the unintended consequence of giving the enemies of the LORD an opportunity to mock the LORD. After all, the news had certainly spread as David was fleeing Saul (1 Samuel chapters 18-31) that David was the one that the LORD had anointed to replace Saul (1 Samuel 14:24-17:58).

Perhaps the blasphemies went something like this: “What kind of God is the God of Israel? The LORD deposed one unrighteous king just to put another unrighteous king in his place! He’s supposed to be holy? Well, he certainly doesn’t know how to pick holy men. And He appointed a king who betrays and sabotages his own men? What kind of God is the LORD?” Just typing these words for the sake of illustrating was spine-shivering. Yet, the reality is that the blasphemies spoken against the LORD because of David’s sin were likely much worse than even these. Thus, David learned a valuable lesson in his repentance: sin has consequences, some of which are not always limited to us, and certainly some that are not always intended. Sin destroys and will destroy whatever and however it can.

The Confrontation

The application of this passage is the fruit of a recent meditation on this scene in David’s life. As a minister, the reality of David’s sin and its consequences struck hard. As a pastor, I understand the importance of character and reputation from the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, etc.) However, this passage put a different perspective on these issues. At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is not to protect my own reputation and glory, but the LORD’s reputation and glory. Many are the stories of pastors and influential ministry leaders who fell into sins that ruined their ministries and reputation. However, when these situations happen, the LORD’s reputation also suffers in the eyes of His enemies.

As Paul told the Jews in Rome: “You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’ just as it is written” (Romans 2:23-24). As ministry leaders, we must be careful to watch ourselves and be holy, because something more important than our own reputations is at stake. Yet, this application is not limited to church/ministry leaders; all Christians must recognize this point. As someone who did not grow up in church and came to faith late in high school, I understand the damage to the LORD’s reputation that results from so many who bear Christ’s name but do not walk in the way of Christ. I even know how some of my own past sins have had the same effect on others.

Both major leaders and everyday Christians can provide opportunity for the enemies of God to blaspheme if they do not watch themselves. We must be serious about holiness, because holiness reflects the God we serve (1 Peter 1:14-16). As a final word, when we sin, forgiveness is available through confession and repentance. We must not fall into despair as we face the realities of our sin; yet David’s example serves as a reminder of the importance of putting off sin and putting on Christ (Colossians 3): not for our glory and reputation, but for the LORD’s.