Grief is a companion in this life. We experience grief for our sin. We experience grief for loss of friendships, relationships, and loved ones. Some of this grief comes about from our own doing. All too often, it simply comes because we are sinners living in a world of sinners, experiencing the curse (death) of sin.
But for believers in Christ, God’s People, there is hope beyond the grave. A hope that comes from grace. A comfort for us in this life, as we trudge our way through, of better things to come. God’s blessing which comes from his goodness and mercy to us, despite our sin. And the knowledge of seeing loved ones who died in the Lord again.
What does this have to do with David’s adultery? We have already seen God extend forgiveness to David when he confessed his sin, yet not without consequences. Those consequences begin to play out in verses 15 to 31, as the son of his adultery dies. Yet these verses also show God’s grace as David’s reign continues on, David’s line continues on, and David’s victories continue on.
David knew God’s forgiveness for his sin when Nathan announced that God “also has put away your sin; you shall not die” (v.13). But consequences were to come for his scorn of God’s goodness, “the child who is born to you shall die” (v.14).
In verse 15, we read that “God afflicted” the child of David and Bathsheba’s union who became extremely ill. Instead of passively accepting this punishment, David threw himself on God in prayer for his child, fasting (to emphasise the seriousness of his request; v.16). He did not listen to his closest advisors’ appeal for him to eat (v.17).
David’s acts were an expression of his belief in God’s forgiveness and grace, and the prospect that God might yet relent of taking his child, just as God had forgiven him of his sin.
But after seven days the child died (v.18). His advisors were worried to let David know, lest his fasting, prayer, and grief may turn to something worse (v.18). The quiet conference was a tip-off to David, who realised his son had died and asked his advisers directly about it (v.19).
When his advisors confirmed the child had died, David did the unexpected. He got up, changed out of his mourning clothes, anointed himself, then went to God’s House to worship (v.20). Then, he went home and ate (v.20).
His servants were shocked; the approach seemed completely backwards (v.21). David’s response was that while the child lived, there was the prospect of experiencing God’s grace and goodness in sparing his son. Now the child is gone, David cannot change things (vv.22-3).
But it was not the final word, as there was hope for David seeing his son again. “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (v.23). The child was a child of the covenant. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and go to heaven (WCF 10.3). David entrusted that child to God’s care.
David’s reign continued on; he did not die. Though his child died, David and Bathsheba comforted each other in their loss. In due time, God gave them another child, Solomon, who was also called Jedidiah because of God’s love for that child (vv.24-5).
David’s line continued on. So did David’s victories. Remember the unkind Ammonites against whom Israel warred? General Joab fought Ammon to the brink of victory at Rabbah, and it was time for the king to come and finish the job (and take the credit; vv.26-8). So off David went, to lead Israel to victory (vv.29-31).
David suffered consequences for his sin. Those consequences were not just immediate, but through the rest of his reign. They remind us that as good as David was, he was not good enough. A better king was needed. That king is Jesus.
Through Jesus, David was able to experience the same grace and forgiveness that we are able to experience too. It was that grace and forgiveness which caused David to pursue the possibility of God’s relenting in his child’s death. It was that same grace that allowed David to move on, knowing he would see his child again at God’s side.
That same grace of God was experienced in the continuation of his line, through a new son Solomon who would later reign as king, and clearly was favoured by God. It was that same grace of God that saw David’s victories continue. Victories which were a foretaste of God’s forever victory through Jesus over all earthly powers, and over sin and death.
That same grace and forgiveness which David experienced is for us too. It demonstrates our sin is not the end. That death, in Christ, is not the end. We enjoy God’s favour in Christ. More so in the age to come. We will see loved ones who abide in Christ again. In the age to come.
There is hope beyond the grave.
