2 Samuel 11:23-27 – A Better King
Imagine this is as much of the Bible as you’ve ever read. You’ve read 2nd Samuel 7 and seen how God’s promises for the world are tied up with a king from David’s line on the throne. At this point you’re probably thinking that a better king is going to come to the throne. But imagine someone then told you that this is as good as it’s going to get. That David will be the best king Israel and Judah ever have. That after this, the nation will start to disintegrate. That doesn’t give much hope, does it? But that is what’s going to happen. Unless a son of David was born who wasn’t also a son of Adam. The catechism says that all mankind descended from Adam by ordinary generation, that is by men and women conceiving children. All mankind descended from Adam by ordinary generation sinned in Adam and fell with him. But the New Testament starts with a young woman, Mary, who’s found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. He will be a son of David – but not a son of Adam. At least not in the sense that every other human being has been. He will be born king. But he won’t have any of the flaws of previous kings of Israel. Whereas David killed to steal a bride. Jesus allowed himself to be killed in order that he might redeem a bride. David took a bride because she was beautiful. The Lord Jesus came to redeem a bride in order that he might make her beautiful. David sacrificed others to save himself. Jesus sacrificed himself to save others.
This chapter is here to show you that even the best people, even David, even you, can’t overcome sin and self-centredness. So we need to put our hope not in fallen humanity, whether ourselves or others, but in unfallen humanity – coupled with divinity. This chapter declares to us: humanity can’t save itself. We need God himself to intervene. This chapter isn’t primarily here to tell you how not to fall into sin. It’s too late for that. The moment Adam sinned, you sinned in him and fell with him. The only question is: Will you try and cover that up? As David does here. Or will you confess it? Trying to cover our sin, trying to pretend we’re better than we are, it only leads to more misery. What freedom the gospel gives us not to have to try and pretend that we’re better than we really are. But to acknowledge our sin. To look to Christ for forgiveness. And then to live a life of joyful service to him.
Question
- Who is the better king?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.