Day 127, Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Samuel 5:13-16; 1Chronicles 14:3-7; 1Chronicles 3:4b-9; 2Samuel 13:1-15:6 Calamity, Causes, and Curtailing Chaos Springtime in the northern hemisphere is tornado season, and summer begins the hurricane season. These storms are like vicious monsters. They tear apart homes and families, cause fires, massive amounts of flooding, and leave everything in pieces and tangled masses. Earthquakes do similar damage. Something else also brings chaos and calamity, and we spell it s-i-n. Sin is doing wrong or failing to do right according to God’s standards. The devil (our adversary, Satan) loves to create chaos by tempting Christians to sin. Although atheists and agnostics seem to get away with sin (at least for a while), this is not true for those who have a personal relationship with God (more...). He wants us to be like him, and he wants to bless us, but sin often stands in the way. The Lord will discipline us or allow the consequences for our misdeeds to teach us a lesson and bring us back to him. The results of sin also serve as an example and warning to others. Sin’s Chaos and Calamity King David had an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. When she became pregnant, he tried to cover it up by bringing her husband home from the battlefront to give a report of the war and to “visit” his wife. David’s ploy didn’t work, however; Uriah was a loyal, dedicated soldier; he wouldn’t spend the night with his wife when Israel’s armies were spending the night in the fields defending the kingdom. David then devised a plan to get rid of Uriah. When Israel’s army pressed the attack on her enemies, the troops withdrew their support from Uriah, and he died. The king’s plan worked, but it displeased God. After the child was born, the prophet Nathan pointed out David’s sin. With deep remorse he repented, but Nathan still prophesied judgment upon his household (2Samuel 12:10-14). The fulfillment of the prophecies then began—David’s family and the entire kingdom experienced chaos. The first fulfillment Nathan spoke against David was the death of the illegitimate child of King David and Bathsheba (2Samuel 12:15-19). Their child’s death caused sorrow and heartache. In today’s Bible reading, we learn about more tragedies in David’s family. The second begins with polygamy. David gains many wives and concubines when he comes to reign in Jerusalem. These may be political alliances, but polygamy is against God’s law for Israelite kings (Deuteronomy 17:17). It also sets a terrible example for his son Solomon, who would be the next to reign. The third tragedy is the rape of David’s daughter, Tamar, by David’s oldest son, her half brother, Amnon (2Samuel 13:1-20). This act of violence hurts and shames the victim, and God forbids it (Leviticus 18:9), but Amnon still wants her and plots to take her by force. Amnon’s actions cause a fourth and fifth calamity. Since Amnon raped Absalom’s sister, Tamar, Absalom arranges for Amnon’s murder. When he dies, the Israelites mourn for him. The people expected Amnon to be David’s successor. Amnon’s murder leads to another calamity—the exile of David’s beloved son, Absalom. He’s responsible for killing Amnon, so in fear, he flees in self-banishment for three years. Even when the king invites Absalom to come back, still David refuses to see his favorite son for a while. Perhaps, it’s this offense that causes Absalom to stir up more trouble for David. The sixth calamity which causes chaos is Absalom’s staged conspiracy against his father to take over the kingdom (2Samuel 15:1-13). More difficult times are yet to come for David, as we will see in our next few lessons. The Effects of Sin Sin exacts a heavy price upon our lives and on others around us. Has it affected us? How? A person in business may be guilty of accepting bribes for favors. Will he be the only one affected in his organization? No. A pastor of a church has a secret relationship with his secretary. Will he be the only one affected? No. A wife has a secret relationship with a male co-worker. Will her family be affected? Yes. Curtailing Chaos Is there turmoil in our life? Is sin the cause? Of course, wrongdoing doesn’t cause all chaos and calamity. Like the weather, sometimes unfortunate occurrences (or people) cause significant damage. But for those occasions when sin is the root of the problem, we may curtail it. If we turn from our sins to God, he offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life. Forgiveness for our wrongs or failures to do right doesn’t remove its effects; however, God may be gracious to lessen them. We can pray for God’s mercy in his judgment and his help to endure the consequences of our sins. When we see the results of sin in our lives and others, may it deter us from causing further chaos. If, in remorse, we change and live right, we please the LORD. Not only can we curtail further chaos, but God will reward us with his peace and blessings. End Note: Concubines are secondary wives Focus Verse Numbers 32:23b (NIV) “you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” Discussion What are some causes for chaos? Are they all because of sin? Can our sinful choices affect others? How? Give examples How can we curtail further chaos in our life?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study: Enter your prayer here: Sample Prayer Please send your comments to me, Rod Looking Ahead: David has experienced much chaos and calamity for his sin. These experiences leave him weak and subject to betrayal. What should we do if someone betrays us? Find out in our next lesson. Previous Lesson  |  Next Lesson Back to top of page Go to Scriptures main page Go to Topics main page Go to Home page page last re-edited 8-11-2024

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