David's Lambs Series

Series: Israel’s 2nd King- David [#28]

DAVID’S LAMBS

2 Samuel 12:1-7

Introduction:

2 Samuel 12:1-7

The words of Nathan the Prophet struck David to the heart. His penitential prayer is recorded in Psalm 51. As a result of his confession of his sin and his plea for mercy, God lifted that portion of David’s angry decree: “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!” David, himself, would not die but his formula “4 Lambs for 1” was still in place. Let us see how that came to pass.

2 Samuel 12:14

2 Samuel 12:18a

Lamb #1…

1. The baby born to Bathsheba and David.

For days, David did not eat or bathe- He laid on the ground in sackcloth pleading with God to save the life of the baby; but he died.

2 Samuel 13:28-29a

Lamb #2…

2. David’s son Amnon.

David’s son Amnon was in love with his brother Absalom’s sister Tamar; but he could not get her attention. His adviser Jonadab had a plan to get Tamar for Amnon- He had Amnon pretend to be sick and when David came to check on him, he asked his father to have Tamar bring food to him. Tamar did what she was told to do, and took food to Amnon. He refused to eat and told everyone to leave the room. At this point, Amnon told Tamar to get into his bed and she told him no and tried to reason with him; but it did not work- Amnon raped his sister. To make matters worse, Amnon sent Tamar away and wanted nothing to do with her. When Absalom heard about this, he hated Amnon. Tamar lived out the rest of her days in Absalom’s home and David burned with anger.

Absalom did not say anything to Amnon and waited 2 years before he did something. At sheep shearing time, Absalom threw a party for his brothers; gave a festive party for the other sons of David, including Amnon. While the party was in progress, Absalom’s servants killed Amnon.

2 Samuel 18:14

Lamb #3…

3. David’s son Absalom.

As a result of Amnon’s murder, Absalom fled from his father. He was gone for several years and then David allowed him to return; but would not see him. After 2 years, David and Absalom reunited. After this, Absalom began to conspire against his father quietly; and declared himself as the King of Hebron. At that point, David and his family fled from Jerusalem where Absalom set himself up as King of Israel.

Some time went by and Absalom began to search out David and his people in order to kill them all. David sent his forces out under the direction of Joab to put down the rebellion. David gave instructions that Absalom was to be “dealt with gently” and be done no harm. David’s military had a great victory over Absalom’s military and Absalom fled. While fleeing, his donkey ran under a tree and he got caught up in the tree by his hair. A soldier of David’s saw Absalom in the tree and told Joab. Joab went to Absalom and put 3 spears in his heart; and then 10 of Joab’s armor bearers finished him off.

1 Kings 2:25

Lamb #4…

4. David’s son Adonijah.

David was at the point of death; and his son Adonijah was in the process of having himself proclaimed King. Bathsheba, realizing the situation went to David and requested him to name her son Solomon as King, which David did. Soon thereafter, David died but there was 1 last lamb yet to die. Once established on the throne of Israel, Solomon ordered the death of his brother Adonijah.

Conclusion:

A person’s sin extends far beyond himself. It affects his family, his friends, and often strangers whom he has never met. David further compounded the consequences of his sin by unknowingly passing judgment upon himself and his family.