Synopsis & Context – Session #12 – The Trials of a King

As this part of The Story opens, it is offered that David was voted least likely among his brothers to be anointed king. He was the last person on the battlefront you’d pick to play the hero’s part, but David was the underdog who overcame. He confronted lions, giants and kings with bare hands and bold faith. At last, the man after God’s own heart became the man on Israel’s throne. But something else begins to take over once he’s “home” and that heart begins to wander. He summons the very lovely (and already married) Bathsheba to his palace and then seduces her. When Bathsheba sends word she is pregnant, David’s schemes turns on/against her husband, Uriah. He calls Uriah home from the battlefield to visit his wife, expecting a night together would position Uriah as the father-to-be. The plan fails, so David concocts a surefire ‘Plan B.’ He sends Uriah back to the frontlines carrying his own death warrant: an order for General Joab to engineer a battlefield “accident” and guarantee Uriah’s death. The plan works, David marries Bathsheba and tries to go back to business as usual; but all is not right! Nathan, the prophet, comes to the palace with God’s message. Nathan tells a parable which points the finger of blame squarely in David’s face, asserting, “You are the man!” David is convicted in his spirit. The man after God’s own heart had become the man with blood on his hands. Whatever celebration for David and Bathsheba’s marriage quickly turns into mourning for the death of their son. David repents of his sin and God forgives him, although there are clear consequences. David and Bathsheba have a second son named Solomon, which means peace. Sadly, David was a better king than father. David’s sin may be forgiven, but its aftermath is calamitous. ��� His son, Absalom, attempts to usurp the throne and his rise to power results in a rebellion. David instructs his troops to be gentle with his proud son, perhaps because he connected the dots between Absalom’s behavior and his own failures as a father. But the clash between David’s army and Absalom’s rebels is brutal and decisive. When Absalom is found hanging from a tree limb, Joab seized the moment and kills the conspirator. King David mourns in anguish when he hears the news. David’s closing chapter turns the page from battles to building. He knows that his son, Solomon, not himself would build a house for God, so he does all he can to prepare the way. From the overflow of David’s heart comes the emptying of his bank account. Others follow the king’s example and give willingly to build God’s temple. King David’s story draws to a close with poetic psalms of praise, reminders of faithfulness to Solomon, and his sights set on living “in the house of the LORD forever.” David’s Lower Story places the spotlight on one man’s sin and its tragic consequences. Yet it also speaks of forgiveness and redemption. God’s grand Upper Story reminds us that no one is ‘righteous’ on their own. God’s promise to David (p.159) points across a millennium to a descendant who is not just “after God’s own heart” but is of God’s own self, the King of Kings, who we prepare to welcome with Advent.

Chapter #12: The Trials of a King is ‘woven’ from selections from The Second Book of the Prophet Samuel, as well as several chapters from The First Book of Chronicles and even several Psalms. 2 Samuel 11—12, 18—19; 1 Chronicles 22, 29; Psalms 23, 32, 51

2 Samuel *Ch. 1 – Saul’s death reported to David and his lament over Saul and Jonathan NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 2 – David anointed King of Judah; Ishbaal (Saul’s son) king of Israel; the battle of Gibeon NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 3 – The sons of David; the death of Abner NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 4 – Ishbaal assassinated NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 5 – David is anointed King of all Israel; Jerusalem becomes the capital; victories over the Philistines NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 6 – David brings the Ark to Jerusalem NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 7 – Nathan’s oracle concerning David’s dynasty; David’s prayer NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 8 – David’s wars NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 9 – David’s kindness to Mephibosheth NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 10 – The war with the Aramean coalition NOT included in The Story. Ch. 11 – David commits adultery with Bathsheba; the death of Uriah Ch. 12 – David’s parable and indictment; the first child of David and Bathsheba dies; the birth of Solomon; the sack of Rabbah

*Ch. 13 – The rape of Tamar; the death of Amnon NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 14 – Absalom returns to Jerusalem; David forgives Absalom NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 15 – Absalom usurps the throne; David flees Jerusalem; the mission of Hushai the Archite NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 16 – Ziba’s report; Shimei curses David; the counsel of Ahithophel NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 17 – The counsel of Hushai; Hushai warns David to escape NOT included in The Story. Ch. 18 – The defeat of Absalom’s army; the death of Absalom Ch. 19 – David mourns for Absalom; David is recalled to Jerusalem and pardons Shimei, meets with Mephibosheth; kindness to Barzillai

*Ch. 20 – The rebellion of Sheba NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 21 – David avenges the Gibeonites and a series of a victories NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 22 – David’s song of Thanksgiving NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 23 – The last words of David; his record of exploits of David’s armies NOT included in The Story. *Ch. 24 – David’s census of Israel and Judah; judgment of sin for the action; repentance ‘act of penance’ NOT included in The Story.

SKIP 1 & 2 Kings (for now)

1 Chronicles 22 – David prepares to build the Temple; David’s charge to Solomon and the leaders 1 Chronicles 29 – Offerings for building the Temple; David’s praise to God; Solomon anointed King; summary of David’s reign

Plot Points for Chapter 12: The Trials of a King Not even a king is above the law, and what is done in secret will one day be revealed. When called out for our sin, the only proper response is repentance. Our sins can be forgiven, but that does not mean that consequences will be erased.

The story is tragic. For one moment of pleasure, David compromises everything. He loses his integrity, and he leaves broken lives in his wake. Although the Lord granted him forgiveness, David lived with the consequences of his sin for the rest of his reign.

Cf. Barr, Adam Exploring the Story: A Reference Companion (Story, The). Zondervan.

God’s Story – YOUR story!

• Comparing David’s confrontation with Nathan to Saul’s confrontation with Samuel, what do you think David seems to understand that Saul does not?

• What does forgiveness from God look like in this part of The Story? Is that different than a New Testament Idea of forgiveness or not? How about your own sense of forgiveness?

• Where / what do you think most influenced or formed your sense of forgiveness? Is your sense of forgiveness different from what we read so far in The Story? Has it changed through the years?

• Is confession important in living a faithful life? (why or why not?)

• BONUS: Why do you think Psalm 23 continue to be so powerful for people?