Broken Trust

2 Samuel 12:8-9

I gave you your master's house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the LORD and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.

The life of King David was filled with numerous triumphs, conquests, and successes. He single-handedly took down Goliath with a sling and a stone. He wrote many of the psalms from which we find comfort in our times of difficulty. He presided over the nation of Israel and was considered by many to be its greatest leader.

David also learned a harsh lesson about the importance of trust. While sitting on his rooftop one day (when he should have been at war), he saw Bathsheba bathing and sent for her. This act led to adultery, the murder of Uriah the Hittite, and a cover-up of the whole situation. Only when the prophet Nathan confronted David about his actions did the king ask God for forgiveness. However, the Lord did not let David off easy. The child he fathered with Bathsheba died, there was a constant threat of murder in his family, and his son Absalom caused David problems until he was killed in battle.

Downward Steps of Sin

by Charles R. Swindoll

Read 2 Samuel 13:1–30; 18:24–33

Tracing the downward steps in David's eroding family relationships, we now have Absalom murdering Amnon, a brother murdering a brother. "The sword will never depart out of your household, David." Here he is groaning under the ache of that prediction.

Now if that's not bad enough, after Absalom kills David's son, he then flees: rebellion. When Absalom fled, he went to Geshur. That's where his grandfather lived—his mother's father, who was a king in Geshur. He can't live at home, so he'll go stay with granddad while he licks his wounds and sets up his plan later on to lead a revolt against his daddy. And that's precisely what he does. Absalom leads a conspiracy against his father.

Later, Joab murders Absalom. The sword has still not departed from David's house.

A Mother’s Tears

Scripture Passage: Genesis 3:16; Proverbs 10:1; Luke 2:34-35

1. 
   

INTRODUCTION: The sorrow of childbirth is often exceeded by the sorrows of seeing the needs of your child and toiling over their wellbeing. A mother’s lot is often defined by her tears.

1. FOR THE CHILD NOT BORN
1. Sarah (Genesis 16:1-5)
2. Hannah (1Samuel 1:1-10)
2. FOR THE CHILD THAT DIES
1. Bathsheba (2Samuel 12:15-18
   )
2. Naomi (Ruth 1:1-5, 19-21)
3. FOR CHILDREN AT ODDS
1. Rebekah (Genesis 25:21-23)
2. Eve (Genesis 4:8-10)
4. FOR THE CHILD THAT SUFFERS
1. Syro-Phenician Woman (Matthew 15:21-28)
2. Mary (Luke 2:33-35)
5. FOR THE CHILD THAT STRAYS
1. Eve (Genesis 4:1-7)
2. Prodigal Son’s Mother (Luke 15:11-13)
3. The Heaviness of Heart (Proverbs 10:1
   )

CONCLUSION: The godly mother has many tears, but God keeps those tears in His bottle. Psalm 56:8-9 states, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.” Will you cry unto Him and know that He is with you?

David Reagan

http://www.learnthebible.org