2 Samuel 12 Price of Sin

We see the price of sin that David and Bathsheba must pay. It is a HARD price, as it costs the life of their child. But God also forgives them and blesses their future together.

David has been hiding his sin with Bathsheba. He believes he has everyone fooled. But the One he has not fooled is God. God demands payment for sin, and payment for David’s sin is the death of the child he and Bathsheba bore out of wedlock. They both will learn a ‘lesson’ that they will NEVER forget. Not that they would have the opportunity to repeat such a sin, but sin HAS a price. Let’s rejoin our story as the three of them pay this price.

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Nathan was one of David’s closest advisors and friends but lately there was a distance between the two of them. Nathan was uncertain to its origin. He chalked it up to David being busy or moody from staying home from the battle. There was a time they fought side by side and Nathan missed those days. Maybe David was missing them as well and didn’t know how to express those feelings. Having separate houses added to this distance, but maybe that was a good thing too.

There iss another reason David could be distant. He had just had another child. This one was born to him through the widow of one of their friends; Uriah the Hittite. David had taken her as his own after his death. But there were rumors floating about that the child may have been conceived before Uriah’s death. Nathan gives rumors little weight.

Nathan lay sleeping on his bed when the Lord speaks to him. “I am sending you to David. You are to confront his on his sin.”

“I don’t know of any sin.”

“You do. You have heard it spoken of in whispers. What was spoken of in secret is true.”

Nathan is glad that he is not standing, for the words of the Lord would surely have knocked him to the ground. David has taken another man’s wife while he yet lived. And has seen to it that this man NOT continue to live.

David has become skilled as of late in belaying other’s suspicions. In short, he had become a convincing liar on this subject. Nathan does not believe a straightforward confrontation will break through David’s defenses and bring about the required repentance.

Nathan rises early after his conversation with the Lord. He wasn’t able to sleep anyway. As soon as it is light he makes his way to David’s house. Nathan is always welcome at the home of the king so the guards admit him right away. He waits in the kitchen while the morning meal is being prepared.

Abket enters the kitchen to gather his master’s morning drink. David likes to have something to drink first thing in the morning to clear his throat. Abket mixes him a drink of the juice of an orange, honey and cinnamon. As he is preparing David’s drink when Nathan speaks to him. “I have need to speak with the king privately.”

“I will inform him of your need right away. If you will remain here, I will be sure to send word back to you when he is ready.”

“I will be here. Ensure that he understands it is an urgent matter.”

Abket departs with David’s drink. He raps upon the doorpost of David’s chambers and then enters. “I hope you rested well my lord. Your drink is ready for you. Also Nathan wishes to see you on a matter he insists is urgent. He waits in the kitchen until you are ready to receive him.”

“Thank you Abket. Have Nathan wait for me in the throne room. I will be along shortly.”

“Nathan also stated that this was a private matter my king. Would you rather receive him elsewhere?”

David wonders what Nathan could need to address that would be both urgent and private. “I will receive him in my chambers, as soon as I’m dressed.”

Abket assists David in dressing and then sends word through a servant to bring Nathan to the king’s chambers. Once Nathan arrives Abket bows and excuses himself.

David greets Nathan warmly. “Welcome my friend. I hear you wish to speak with me. What is it you need that requires privacy?”

“I have a matter of a great injustice that I need to share with you. ‘There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take on of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him. But he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the mean who had come to him” (2 Samuel 12:1b-4).

David is indignant at this story. His face flushes with anger. His hands clench and unclench. “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb four-fold, because he did this thing and because he had no pity” (2 Samuel 12:s 5-6).

Nathan nods wiseley, then he looks David straight in the eyes and speaks. “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And it this were too little, I would add to you as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites…”

David’s knees fail him and he falls into his chair. He fells as if a band of iron is squeezing his heart, so deep is his grief at his own deeds.

“…Now therefore the sword shall never depart from you house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. for you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun’” (2 Samuel 12:7-12).

David’s face pales as Nathan lays his sin bare before him. He had thought no one would find out. And every time his conscience raised its head, he pushed it back down. He now sat naked before God. David drops his face into his hands and cries; “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13b).

Nathan’s face softened and he sits down beside David. He recognized true remorse in David’s tone. “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die…”

David shakes his head. He knows he deserves punishment. He fells the iron band begin to loosen just a bit. But Nathan is not finished yet.

“…Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die” (2 Samuel 12:13c-14).

At these words David comes undone. He cries out in pain. He falls to the floor on his face. His son’s punishment should be his own. The child conceived in sin will bear the punishment for his sin.

Nathan stands, gives David one last look, and then leaves him in his distress.

David stays as he was when Nathan left. He is still there when Abket comes running to him.

“My lord, something is wrong!”

David jerks his head up at the words and looks at Abket. “The child?”

Abket is surprised by David’s words. Did someone already tell him? Impossible, as he just learned of this issue himself from Bathsheba. “Yes my lord. My mistress summoned me immediately when the child started having difficulty.”

David rises and begins to make his way from his chambers to the nursery. “What is wrong with the child” he asks Abket as they walk together.

“He is thrashing about then going as still as death. Only his breathing betrays the fact that he still lives.”

They reach the nursery and Bathsheba quickly. She holds the infant in her arms and sobs over him.

She pleads with David. “Do something” she cries.

David takes the child from her arms and looks into his still face. As he is holding him, he begins to convulse again almost throwing himself from David’s hands. David quickly clutches him to his chest to prevent dropping him. The child’s arms and legs beat against David’s body as if struggling to free himself. This continues for what feels like an eternity. When he stills David loosens his hold and gazes into his face. It is blue tinged but begins to regain some color now that he is still. The small rise and fall of the baby’s chest and the return of color are the only indications that the child is still alive. His body is as a rag doll’s; limp with arms, legs and head connected by stitching alone.

“Send for the priest” commands David in a voice barely above a whisper. He does not want to disturb what little rest his baby seems to be receiving.

“How long has he been doing this” David asks Bathsheba.

“He was screwing up his face as if something sour was in his mouth an hour or so ago, but I passed it off as dreaming. I sent for Abket the moment he began this” she points to the child’s stilled form. “He ran directly to you.”

“How many times has he done this?”

“This is the second time.”

David is anxious for the priest to arrive. The priests are the physicians as well. David hopes he can help the child. But deep within he knows there is only one source of help and that Source has already spoken on the issue.

The priest arrives with a bag full of tonics. Abket had told him of the baby’s condition so he came prepared. He is brought directly to the nursery. And he asks the very same questions David did and receives the same answers.

Opening his bag, he produces a small mirror and holds it very near the baby’s nose and mouth. It fogs, indicating the baby is breathing. He also puts his ear to the child’s chest and hears his heart beating. He assesses the baby’s temperature and finds him slightly warm. He pulls his eyelids back and finds his eyes in a normal position. Finally, he pinches the baby to see his response to pain. The baby barely stirs.

“I have a tonic to relax him when he is in the throws of the fit but he is past that right now. The best thing for him at this point is to let him sleep. We could also try using cooling towels on him as he is a bit warm. Don’t cool him too much though.” He reaches in his bag and pulls out a vile and presses it into Bathsheba’s hands. “When he begins to thrash, dip your finger in this and run it on the inside of his cheek. It will stop the seizing.”

Bathsheba is grateful for the help. She carefully lays the vile beside the baby’s cradle so it will be within reach at all times. Before leaving, the priest anoints the baby with oil and prays a blessing over him. “Send for me if he worsens.” With these final words he departs.

David’s heart is screaming within him. HE knows the reason for his son’s distress; David’s own sin. He can’t help but hear Nathan’s words echoing in his mind; “The child who is born to you shall die” (2 Samuel 12:14b).

David knows the only hope his child has will come from the hand of the Lord. Maybe He will show mercy to the babe. David will spend himself in prayer for his son. David lays face down on the floor in the nursery praying to the Lord all that day. He hears every time Bathsheba ministered to the baby as he was seized by another fit. He hears as she walk the floor in worry. Every time Bathsheba gasped in sear David prayed a little harder.

The tonic seems to be helping as the fits are not lasting as long. But they were still coming far too often for comfort. The priest returns as night falls. He wants to assess the baby again. After a thorough examination the baby seems no worse, but also no better. “It is possible he will shake this in the night. He is still a little warm. The night breeze should help cool him. Be certain his window is open.”

Bathsheba, worn out from tending to her son all day tasks his nurse with the job of moving his cradle under the window for better air flow. She lays her son down in his bed again and waits.

Several times in the night the baby requires the tonic to stop the fits. The night breeze did nothing to cool his body or bring him rest. David remains where he lay in the nursery pouring his heart out to the Lord.

Morning brings with it the priest. He was expecting to see some improvement when he first entered but his face fell when he put his ear to the baby’s back. There are sounds of wheezing when he breathes. Bathsheba sees his face and knows something else is wrong. “Tell me” she demands.

“The baby’s breathing sounds are different than the last time. It may just be a cold setting in. The night air doesn’t seem to have helped. We need to try steam instead. Boil water and put it in a pot next to his bed. Cover both him and the pot with a tent. It will help him breathe easier.”

With all the commotion in the nursery David finds himself in the way. His son’s worsening condition also calls for more fervent prayer. David goes to his favorite spot in the garden. This is where he feels closest to the Lord, outside of the tent for the Ark. He lies facedown again and continues to pray. “O Lord, my soul cries out to you. I am worn out and undone. My child was born in sin but is innocent of these acts. They are mine to bear, not his. Please have mercy on him and let him live. Lay this sin at my door, not his. Take my life if You must but spare his.”

Abket finds David in his garden spot. “My lord, you have eaten nothing since the child fell ill. You must eat to keep up your strength.”

“No. See to his mother. I must remain before the Lord. Leave me!”

Abket bows and goes to check on Bathsheba. She too has been consumed with the child’s needs. “Mistress, have you eaten? You must keep your strength to care for the child. May I bring you something?”

“Thank you Abket. That would be most welcome.”

Abket quickly prepares bread, cheese and figs for Bathsheba. He leaves it for her, along with a jug of water, in the nursery. He ensures there is plenty for all who are tending to the baby. This is a task he can do to help.

The priest returns again in the evening to check on the baby. The fits continue and his breathing is no better. He shakes his head after listening to the baby’s breathing. He also notices that the child is even warmer than before. Bathsheba reports that the tonic is still shortening the fits so he supplies her with another vial. “Keep giving him the tonic but also wash him with cool cloths. We must bring his fever down before it gets too high.”

Bathsheba will try anything! She is desperate to help her child. She sweats under the tent with her son and the boiling water to loosen his breath while washing his body with cool cloths to break his fever. She has never worked more fervently at anything in her entire life.

One day slips into the next and each bring a new treatment to try. Yet all fail to relieve the baby’s suffering. David has not risen from his spot in the garden for more than to relieve himself. His prayers have been constant; pleading with the Lord to spare his son. Many have tried coaxing him to eat but he refuses all attempts. He has only accepted water to replenish the liquid that flow freely from his eyes and to quench his throat from his cries. Even this is taken sparingly.

Bathsheba has not left the nursery except to relieve herself. The baby barely nurses and she has to be ready to snatch her breast away at the first sign of a fit so he will not choke on her milk. Her breasts are swollen and tender as her body yearns to meet her child’s expected needs.

Her heart breaks watching her child suffer. She prays for his deliverance. She doesn’t need David or Nathan to tell her that her child’s pain is a result of her sin. The guilt she feels over his pain weighs on her like a millstone. She prays a prayer she never thought she would; “If You are going to take him, please do so quickly. I cannot stand to see him suffering so.”

By the evening of the sixth day the priest doesn’t even bother to come anymore. He has no more tonics or ideas to try. The child’s fever is unbreakable. His breathing is so labored that Bathsheba has to hold him upright to prevent the weight of his own little chest from crushing in on him. His fits are no longer calmed by the tonic and are so frequent that there is little time for him to rest between them but there is no strength behind the fits any longer. They produce only twitching movements instead of thrashing.

Bathsheba sits with the baby against her holding him upright to breathe. David lies in his same spot in his garden. Both are calling out to their Lord on behalf of their child. Both feel the silence of His answer.

The servants move through the house as silently as possible. The whole house is permeated with a feeling of dread. What will become of the king if the child died? How will his mother recover from such an ordeal? They have given up on trying to coax David to eat. They made certain he always has water but have left him in solitude other than that. They concentrate on keeping Bathsheba fed and cared for.

Just before sunrise on the seventh day a mournful cry rises from the nursery. The baby has finally succumbed to death. His struggle has ended. Bathsheba hold him to her chest and weeps bitter tears. “Why did he have to suffer so? He was innocent! Could You not have spared him this?”

The servants had rushed to her cry and stand helpless beside her. They have no comfort to offer her. She needs her husband. He will be the one to help her heal, but he is so broken by the child’s illness that he may not survive his death.

Abket has kept watch on his master as much as possible, without being intrusive, during the child’s illness. Bathsheba’s maid finds him waiting near the garden. She quietly tells him of the news. “The child has died. His mother is in need of comfort from her husband.”

Abket, keeping his voice low answers her, “I fear he will be of no comfort to her. ‘While the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm’ (2 Samuel 12: 18b).”

David senses someone in the garden with him. He looks up and sees the servants whispering together. He knows right away what this means; his son is dead. He raises himself up onto his knees and speaks; “Is the child dead?” (2 Samuel 12:19b).

Abket knows he has to answer truthfully. “He is dead” (2 Samuel 12:19c). He cringe as he speaks the words.

David carefully raises himself to the bench beside him. After a few moments he comes to standing and slowly makes his way out of the garden. As he passes Abket he orderes; “Draw me a bath.”

Abket is shocked at David’s command but hurries off to fulfill it while David slowly makes his way to his chambers. As water was kept constantly boiling for the baby’s breathing, Abket is able to fill David’s bath quickly. David dismisses Abket after the bath was ready. He wants privacy.

David washes, anointes himself and changes his clothes. He wants to be clean before the Lord. The payment for his sin had been paid. Now he will go and stand before the Lord.

As soon as he is dressed, he made his way to the house of the Lord and worshiped there. “O Lord, You are just and true. You have judged me and found me lacking. The price of my sin will remain stamped on my heart the rest of my life. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for releasing my son from his pain. Help me to never forget the sacrifice he paid on my behalf. Restore me O Lord. I am undone without You.”

After his offering of worship to the Lord, David returns to his home. He is strengthened by his time in the Lord’s presence. His steps are no longer slow and labored but sure and steady. When he reaches his home, he calls Abket. “I hunger. Bring me something to eat.”

Abket bows and hurries to the kitchen to prepare a meal for David. He has eaten nothing in seven days. His stomach may have trouble holding much. Abket chooses bread, cheese and fruit for his king. He also supplies water and a little wine. These he brings to David at his table.

David begins eating as soon as the platter is placed before him. He doesn’t eat as a ravenous man but neither is he slow in consuming this much needed meal.

Several of the servants had followed Abket as he brought David his meal. One of the stewards steps forward with an indignant look on his face. “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food” (2 Samuel 12:21b).

David locks eyes with him. “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:22-23).

The servants face burned with shame for challenging his lord. But in his heart, he still holds that a time of mourning would have been appropriate.

With his stomach satisfied, David turns to Bathsheba’s needs. She is heartbroken. She faithfully tended to their baby’s needs as the life drained from him day by day. She too had prayed for God’s hand on her child. But even her prayers of a quick release went unanswered.

Bathsheba still sits in the nursery. The body of her child was taken to the priest for preparation for burial shortly after his passing. She sits in her favorite spot; where she used to nurse her son and gaze out the window. Her eyes are turned towards the window but her face is vacant.

David walks up beside her and puts a hand on her shoulder. He stands there with that silent connection for some time.

“Why did he have to suffer so” asks Bathsheba in barely more than a whisper.

“It was the price of sin.”

Bathsheba jerks away and stands face to face with David. “What sin! He was but an innocent child!”

“Our sin. MY sin!”

“But why punish the babe? I would gladly have taken the punishment!”

“We were punished through his suffering. I would have taken his place too and prayed for such an option.”

Bathsheba falls against David’s chest and sobs. David wraps her in his arms. They cry together giving vent to their sorrow. Sorrow for the price their actions cost another. They remain this way until both are spent of tears.

“The debt has been paid and he is at rest” David says as he wipes the last of the tears from Bathsheba’s eyes.

“Do you think the Lord has cursed our union?”

“I don’t know but I don’t believe so. I believe Nathan would have told me if it were so.”

Bathsheba backs away from David. “What did Nathan tell you; and when?”

“God revealed our sin to him and he brought me word of His judgment. Nathan told me that the child would die for my sin. He came to me the same morning the child fell ill.”

“And you kept this knowledge from me!”

“I prayed the Lord would relent and you would not need to know.”

“You should have told me.”

“What would you have done different?”

All the indignation drains from Bathsheba at David’s words. “Nothing; except maybe prepare for his death.” She pauses before continuing in a much smaller voice. “I prayed for him to die.”

David took her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. “When was this?”

“As he was struggling the last few days. I prayed that God would take him and stop his suffering.”

David hugs her to his chest again. “A prayer of love. One I wish I had the courage to have voiced.”

Bathsheba and David leave the nursery together and close the door. There is nothing left in there for them. They spend the rest of the day in preparation for the baby’s burial. He will be laid to rest as the sun sets.

There is no need to hire mourners as the whole city of Jerusalem mourns for the child as they lay his body in his family’s tomb. David and Bathsheba stand together and keep watch over their child one last time. When the burial is complete, David gives the ritual prayer. Then all return to their homes.

There were few stories to share of times spent together. No tales of adventures taken. No accomplishments to recount. His short life was filled with love though. And those who shared in its brevity will not forget him, or his passing.

David and Bathsheba need comfort from one another. They crave closeness. As the babe’s birth was so recent, they cannot come together as man and wife but they hold each other through the night. David cares not for keeping his distance because of ceremonial uncleanness. His wife is in need. He will perform all the cleansing rituals required AFTER he comforts her.

A month goes by and the mourning time for the baby lifts. There are still eleven more months to observe specific rituals in commemoration but the largest restrictions are lifted. David desires to truly comfort Bathsheba now as a husband. He calls Abket.

“Send word to Bathsheba that I would come to her tonight.”

“And if she refuses?”

“I would not, but I do not believe she will deny me this as I am offering comfort to her as well.”

Abket bows and takes word to Bathsheba. “My master sends word that he would come to you tonight.”

“I will prepare for his arrival.”

Bathsheba longs to fill her empty arms. She prays that the Lord will bless her once again with David’s child. She prepares herself for his arrival by bathing and anointing all her special regions.

David prepares for their time together also with a bath. He wants this time together to be right in God’s eyes. He prays that he will be allowed to give her a child. He knows it will not replace the one they lost, but it will ease the pain.

The night with Bathsheba is better than the first time they came together. They brought pleasure to one another as equal to their first encounter, but this time there was no shame in their union. Both opened completely to one another, heart and body.

Their time together spans several nights and Bathsheba fells certain their union produced fruit. Three weeks later she was certain. She would share this news with David in person instead of through a letter.

Bathsheba approaches David’s throne room. He saw her from the door and beckoned her inside. Her smile told him she was with child before she even spoke.

“You are pregnant” David states.

“How did you know?” asks Bathsheba.

“Your smile betrays you” he chided.

“I suppose it does.”

The months pass without incidence. Bathsheba takes great care in ensuring that the babe growing within her is happy and healthy. She speaks to him daily and tells him of God’s love for her by blessing her with him.

David also prays for his child growing within Bathsheba’s womb. That it will be healthy and be a son. He blesses the Lord for the gift of this child and the grace that the Lord has shown him in allowing the two to conceive again. He also prays that no sin will be laid at this child’s feet and he will outlive both his parents.

Bathsheba delivers their child with midwives in attendance. She prays to the Lord for grace as the babe is expelled from her womb. “Please let it be a boy and let him live long.”

The midwife announces the arrival of another son for David and a cheer erupts around the room from the women in attendance. Bathsheba breathes a sigh of contentment. Now all that remains is the ‘long life’ prayer. She refuses to dwell on this thought.

After cleaning and dressing both mother and child, David is allowed into the room to meet his son. His face is radiant as he absorbs the knowledge that he has another son. His prayer, part one, is also answered.

As the days march on towards the child’s naming and circumcision ceremony David and Bathsheba hold their breath. This was the event their previous son never participated in. He had become ill in his first week of life. So strange that one so young could have affected them all so deeply. A lesson they will never forget.

The day of circumcision arrives and David stands ready to share the child’s name with the priest. He and Bathsheba had agreed upon it shortly after his birth but were prevented by custom from sharing it before called to do so by the priest.

“What is the child’s name” asks the priest.

“He is to be called Solomon” answered David.

“Solomon, I commend you into the hands of the Lord. The God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. And receive this mark as a sign of that covenant.” The priest with a quick flick of the wrist cleanly cuts away the foreskin of Solomon’s future manhood, uniting him in covenant with the Lord and His people.

After the ceremony is completed and the feasting concluded David and Bathsheba receive one more visitor. Nathan stands at their door.

Fear grips Bathsheba’s heart as she remembers that Nathan brought the pronouncement of their last child’s death. She prays as she clutches Solomon to her chest.

David welcomes Nathan but his heart too holds fear. Surely the Lord would not have allowed them this child only to take it back again.

Nathan smiles at Solomon then looks to Bathsheba. “May I hold him?”

Reluctantly she opens her arms and hands Solomon to Nathan.

“You my boy are beloved of the Lord; Jedidiah. You are a gift given by the Lord; a gift of grace.”

David and Bathsheba release a collective sigh. Their child IS a gift from God. They have been shown grace and mercy. He will live a long life. They vow to teach him all his days of the God who gave him to them.

(to be continued)

Solomon was truly a gift from the Lord. After being punished for their sin, God could have refused them any more children together. But they would be the parents of the next king of Israel. They would NEVER forget the price of their sin, but it would not color their love for this child.

Father God, thank You for each of my children. I cannot imagine going through what David and Bathsheba did. I had several serious illnesses and/or injuries to go through with each of my children, but You ALWAYS brought them safely through it. THANK YOU!

Thank You for the wonderful adults that they have grown into as well. I PRAY with ALL my heart that they will turn their lives over to You. That is my prayer for them every moment of my life. I leave them again in Your hands.