Bible Discussion Thread

2 Samuel 11 and most of chapter 12 discuss David's next prayer; which was a result of God's decision to strike his illegitimate child with Bathsheeba (even though at this time he was already married to her). Verse 16 talks about David "pleading" with God which I would say was a manner of prayer; perhaps equivalent to what some called a "lament" when it relates to Psalms he also wrote.

As discussed briefly in my last post; the first phase of David's life was his struggle to survive under Saul; which as one commentator happened to say involved 21 separate attempts to kill him; many times with a javelin in the beginning. This situation with Bathsheeba occured when his troops were achieving victory; and he probably should have been out on the battlefield himself at this time. Let's take some time to discuss how heinous this sin was as related to Uriah the Hittite and taking advantage of his wife; and compare it to the behavior of Uriah.

First off; the Hittites were; according to Deuteronomy 20:17 to be totally annihilated. This is yet another example (along with Rahab the "harlot" from the city of Jericho devoted to destruction) of someone who was preserved. How long he had been with Israel or descended from Jewish ancestry it is uncertain. His behavior certainly indicated that he was serving the Lord as an exceptional example in the army at least.

David was called out by Nathan the Prophet as being the guilty party and Uriah as an innocent man. It is likely that David at first brought him out of battle to go to be with his wife; so that it would appear he was the one rather than David who was the father of the baby. Maybe Bathsheeba knew missing her period she was pregnant; or she would attempt to hide it. Uriah was too loyal to the army to take any liberties for himself with the army in the fields preparing for battle. Eventually David decided to send him to the front lines and feigned life's circumstances as taking him after deliberate setup