14. The Lord has forgiven you. Nonetheless, … ( 2Samuel 12:1 – 29)

God exposed David’s sin through the prophet Nathan. And God has forgiven his sin already because he had not died. Then, why does God bring disasters? 

👉 Read 2Samuel 12:1 - 29

Q1. Nathan started with a parable instead of a direct address of David’s sin. God wanted David to confront his sin for himself—to see how (      ) it truly was, and to be pierced to the (      ). God led him to declare the penalty with his (      ) mouth, saying, 'The man who did this deserves to (      )!' and 'He must pay for the lamb four times over.' In doing so, David would feel how God sees his sin and be ready to accept the penalty. [hint: die, heart, own, disgusting]

God wanted David to confront his sin for himself—to see how ( disgusting ) it truly was, and to be pierced to the ( heart ). God led him to declare the penalty with his ( own ) mouth, saying, 'The man who did this deserves to ( die )!' and 'He must pay for the lamb four times over.' In doing so, David would feel how God sees his sin and be ready to accept the penalty.

When we ignore or avoid our own sin, God often leads us to see its seriousness and how repulsive it truly is—indirectly, through the perspective of a third party. Then He declares, “You are the man,” revealing that we are the guilty ones. In this way, God exposes our sin in a manner that is gentle, yet utterly inescapable.

See the wisdom of God: He didn’t pronounce David’s judgment directly, but led David to speak it with his own mouth.

Q2. According to Nathan’s words in v7-10, what was David’s wrong? 

He showed contempt for the Lord’s decrees by doing evil in His sight and despising Him. 

David’s actions might have been overlooked or justified if he were a pagan king, celebrated for his achievements alone. But he was chosen, raised, and enthroned by God to lead His people. He was called to rule not by human standards, but according to God’s ways.

Q3. “Because you killed Uriah by the sword of the Ammonites, the sword will never depart from you (              ). Although you have acted in (             ) and tried to conceal your sin, I wil do this thing before (       ) Israel and in broad (               ). Because you have treated the Lord with such (             ) in this matter, (             ) who has been born to you will certainly (          ).”

“Because you killed Uriah by the sword of the Ammonites, the sword will never depart from you ( house ). Although you have acted in ( secret ) and tried to conceal your sin, I wil do this thing before (  all  ) Israel and in broad (  daylight ). Because you have treated the Lord with such ( contempt ) in this matter, (  the son ) who has been born to you will certainly ( die ).”

If the Lord has forgiven, why does He bring such disasters to David? First, it was for God’s reputation that He could not leave David unpunished. Second, it was to discipline David.

Each judgment David received clearly matched his specific sins:

– His adultery was followed by the death of the child.

– His murder led to ongoing bloodshed in his own family.

– His attempt to cover up the sin resulted in public exposure.

These were not random punishments but purposeful discipline from God.

Q4. In 2 Samuel 12:15-25, three key observations stand out. First, David believed that God might show (       ) and heal the child, so he sought the Lord earnestly. Second, when the child died, David (        ) God’s decision without protest, showing deep trust in God's sovereignty. Third, despite David's failure, God's love for him remained unchanged, confirmed by the birth of Solomon and the special name, (        ), given by the Lord.

First, David believed that God might show ( mercy ) and heal the child, so he sought the Lord earnestly. Second, when the child died, David ( accepted ) God’s decision without protest, showing deep trust in God's sovereignty. Third, despite David's failure, God's love for him remained unchanged, confirmed by the birth of Solomon and the special name, ( Jedidiah ), given by the Lord.

God’s love and relationship with David have not changed. But, His discipline will come.

Q5. Right before the capture of Rabbah, why did Joab call David to come and finish the battle? (28, 30)

Joab wanted David to take the glory.

Placing the crown of their king on David’s head symbolized complete conquest through him—it served as the final affirmation of David’s decisive victory.

It is remarkable that as soon as David’s sin was exposed, forgiveness was immediately announced. The hardships that followed were not signs of rejection but acts of discipline, meant to refine David and restore the marred reputation of God. Notably, God's love for David remained unchanged—this was confirmed when, after the punishment ended, the child born to David was named Jedidiah, "beloved of the Lord.