15 In it he wrote, "Put Uriah out in front where thefighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he willbe struck down and die." 16 So while Joab had the cityunder siege, he putUriah at a place where he knew thestrongest defenders were. - P152
24 Then the archers shot arrows at your servants fromthe wall, and some of the king‘s men died. Moreover,
your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead." - P153
26 When Uriah‘s wife heard that her husband was dead,
she mourned for him. 27 After the time of mourningwas over, David had her brought to his house, and shebecame his wife and bore him a son. But the thingDavid had done displeased the LORD. - P153
David asks Joab to place Uriah wherever the fighting is the toughest. Joabdoes this and Uriah dies, but they also lose the battle. - P453
When David findsout, he sends a message of encouragement to Joab. After mourning for herhusband, Uriah‘s wife is brought to David and becomes his wife, but thisdispleases the Lord. - P153
Uriah is listed among the mighty men of David in 2 Samuel 23. Hisill-timed death is tragic, and the blame rests squarely on the shouldersof King David. - P154
But Uriah‘s death is not the only one for which David isresponsible. Other Israelite soldiers fighting below the walls of the citydie as well, and, like Uriah, they die needlessly. - P154
They die because theirking is desperately seeking to cover up his sin. David‘s original sin ofadultery is spreading like a cancer through his life and kingdom. - P154
Thisis what sin does, how it operates. Sin is never isolated. It never staysprivate and free of consequences. It inevitably affects the lives of thosearound us. - P154
It is the height of folly to believe our sins are hidden from theothers, especially the eyes of our Almighty God. - P154
At first, David thinkshis devious plan to cover up his sin of adultery has been successful. Arthis point, he cannot imagine the repercussions his sin might have onhis family and kingdom. - P154
But as we will soon see, the deaths of threeof his sons, civil war in Israel, and great reproach and shame lie in waitfor David in the days to come. - P154
What so often begins as a secret sin canspiral out of control in our lives, churches, and nations, causing damagewe never imagined. - P154
Such is the insidious nature of sin; it is just a matterof time before we reap what we sow. - P154
Lord, open the eyes of Your people to the destructive power of sin in ourlives, churches, and nations. - P155
Grant us grace and the power of the Holy Spiritto exercise restraint and self-control in our lives individually and together. InJesus‘ name, amen. - P155
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