Day 132 – 2 Samuel 12:24-25

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 12:24-25

"And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him."

(2 Samuel 12:24)

It has been a very hard season in the kingdom of David. The mourning has passed, now the Bible says, "And David comforted Bathsheba his wife." I now see the change in possession. "Bathsheba his wife." Earlier, the Holy Spirit kept reminding me of the sin by calling her "Uriah's wife." because David had taken what was not his. But here, after confession, judgment, mourning, and submission, the Scripture says "Bathsheba his wife." That does not erase what David did. It does not pretend the sin never happened. But it does show that life is moving forward under the mercy and government of God.

David now comforts. Bathsheba has lost a husband and a child in this terrible chapter. David's sin helped bring that sorrow upon her. So when I read "David comforted Bathsheba his wife," I see a man who must not only repent before God, but also care for the one who has suffered through the wreckage of his sin. Then the Bible says she bare a son, and David "called his name Solomon." The name Solomon is commonly connected with peace or peaceable. That is encouraging after all the storm this chapter has carried. God allows a son to be born whose very name carries the thought of peace.

But the best part of the verse is the last phrase, "and the LORD loved him." After all the darkness, all the sin, all the tears, all the consequences, the Bible says the LORD loved this child. When the home is no longer built on secrecy, the LORD shows love. David can not undo the past. But he can walk rightly from here. He can comfort and love his wife lawfully.

"And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD."

(2 Samuel 12:25)

Now the LORD sends by the hand of Nathan a message of love. The child is called "Jedidiah, because of the LORD." Jedidiah means beloved of the LORD. So David calls him Solomon, and the LORD gives him the name Jedidiah. One name speaks of peace. The other speaks of love. Peace and love, after such a bitter season. This is the LORD showing mercy after repentance.

The phrase "because of the LORD." This is not because David deserved it. Because the LORD is merciful. Because the LORD restores. Because the LORD can still love after He has judged. Because the LORD does not leave a repentant heart forever lying in ashes. David prayed while there was hope, accepted God's will when the child died, and then continued forward under God's grace.