Sermon Central
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David's Hard Heart
Contributed by Charles Andrews on Jan 1, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: David’s heart was hardened by sin. Only the death of his newborn son softened it. This sermon looks at three aspects of his son’s death and David’s reaction.
“David’s Hard Heart”
Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-23
Introduction: Sin carries consequences! Some are immediate; others come much later in life and some last an entire lifetime. And, of course, any sin of which we do not repent and ask for forgiveness, carries with it the consequence of an eternity in a devil’s hell, separated from our Creator (Is 59:1,2; Ro 6:23). The Bible says that all of us are sinners, guilty of our own personal sins (Ro 3:10,23). Each of us needs the saving blood of Jesus Christ to wash away the guilt of our sins (Ep 1:7).
In order for us to receive this forgiveness we must have soft, pliable hearts, hearts that are open to call of God’s Word! King David, of whom Paul said was a man after God’s own heart (Ac 13:22), faced a time in his life when the consequences of his own sins were hard to bare. Consider three points from this time in David’s life.
I. David Prayed for the Life of the Baby
A.“David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground.” (2 Sa 12:16)
B.David’s prayer for the child speaks volumes about his faith in God’s grace. Remember, God had told David that the child would not survive (vs. 14), but this did not deter David. Why would he continue to pray? David tells us in vs. 22
C.David prayed from a sincere heart of repentance, what he called a “contrite heart” Ps 51:17; Ps 34:18; Is 57:17; Is 66:2
D.This is the purpose of godly sorry – 2 Co 7:10
II.God Spared the Baby for One Week
A.“Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died.” (2 Sa 12:18).
Why did God allow the child to live for a week? Why not just allow the child to be stillborn? Perhaps it was to help David realize the seriousness of his sins! How? By making David see this child, not as a blob of protaplasm, but a real life, bone and blood, breathing, human being. Whose having to suffer a slow and agonizing death. Why? David’s sin!
B.How serious were David’s sins?
1.David was guilty of voyeurism – 2 Sa 11:2
2.David was guilty of lust in his heart – 2 Sa 11:3; Mt 5:28
3.David succumbed to temptation – 2 Sa 11:4a; Ja 1:14-16
4.David seduced the wife of another man – 2 Sa 11:4b; Ex 20:14,17
5.David attempted to cover up his sin – 2 Sa 11:6-13
6.David murdered Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband – 2 Sa 11:14,15
7.David callously marries the widow of Uriah, Bathsheba – 2 Sa 11:27
C.Every sin carries consequences! For David, he had to live the rest of his life with the memory of his dead child, a baby who died as a consequence of his sin!
III.David Could See the Baby Again
A.“But now he had died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Sa 12:23)
B.David understood that death brings this life to an end. No one who has died can ever return and live again on this earth (without divine intervention). But, we can join that person in death and we can live again – 1 Co 15:50-57
C.Since we will live again, we need to be holy people – 1 Pe 1:13-16; 2 Pe 3:11
Conclusion: Only through the process of suffering was David’s heart softened. What does it take to soften up our hearts? Hopefully not the death of a child, or another loved one.
