There once was a great kingdom on earth. The kingdom prospered under the reign of a great wise king who ruled over his kingdom with zeal and passion. The people loved him. There was never a more judicious, humble, prudent, and courageous man than the king. He created laws that were fair and protected the rights of his own people. There came a time when the kingdom went through a devastating war against a menacing nation. The kingdom lost many of its greatest commanders and warriors. After the army’s triumphant victory over the enemy and return home, the king heard that one of his best commanders had perished on the battlefield and his wife had become a widow. He was greatly disturbed by the fact and decided to do what was never expected of him. He made a praiseworthy deed that filled the heart of his people with much joy and honor. He took the widow as his very own wife and the news of the king’s pious conduct was celebrated all throughout the kingdom.
Stop right there!
Did you figure out who this great king was? Yes, he was none other than King David. However, the above story depicts the facts from the point of view of an ordinary citizen who lived during those prosperous times. If it wasn’t for the Holy Scriptures, which reported what really happened behind the magnificent walls of the palace, we would have thought that King David was the perfect king ever to live on earth. However, the Holy Scriptures sheds light on the true intentions of King David.
I don’t want to retell the story of King David and Bathsheba. Instead I want you to visualize the following. Imagine that a close friend of yours takes your wife to bed with him and then have you killed by a hired assassin. When he finally gets rid of you, he attends your funeral, sheds tears on your grave, and weeks later asks your wife’s hand in marriage as a token of honor for the great friendship he had with you so that his good friend’s wife would not go on living as a widow.
I simply don’t understand why the great King David needed to be confronted by Nathan the prophet to realize his awful sins. Didn’t he already know what he was about to commit the day he devised the whole plan? Was he blind? Why had King David buried his evil actions in his subconscious and fully forgotten about them to the extent that when Nathan the prophet told him of a man who had committed such actions, he was completely enraged and commanded that the man be put to death immediately not knowing that the very man was himself!
Even the “man after God’s own heart” had psychological issues. Is it possible that I may also be in need of a friend like Nathan the prophet to confront me and point out a hidden sin that I have buried in my depths?
On another note, it is mind-boggling that God forgave King David’s sins after he confessed each and every one of them. Would I forgive my murderous friend for not only sleeping with my wife, but having me killed? Is it ever possible to forgive such unspeakable acts?
ManoChil
