(a) Describe David's reaction to the death of the child born to him by Bathsheba. (b) What two lessons can be learnt from this reaction?

Answer Details

(a) David's reaction to the death of the child born by Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:15-23)

After the prophet Nathan confronted David over his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, the Lord struck the child that Bathsheba had borne to David, and the child became gravely ill.

• While the child was still alive, David pleaded with God on behalf of the child. He fasted, went in and lay all night upon the ground.
• The elders of his household stood beside him and tried to raise him up from the ground, but he refused and would not eat food with them.
• This continued for seven days, during which David humbled himself before God in earnest prayer, hoping God would be gracious and let the child live.
• On the seventh day the child died. The servants were afraid to tell David, reasoning that if he behaved so intensely while the child lived, he might harm himself when told of the death.
• David perceived from their whispering that the child was dead and asked them; they confirmed it.
• To their surprise, David then arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes and went into the house of the Lord to worship.
• Afterward he returned to his own house, requested food and ate.
• When his servants questioned this strange reversal of behaviour, David explained: while the child was alive he fasted and wept, thinking God might be gracious and spare the child. But now that the child was dead, fasting could not bring him back. He said, "I shall go to him, but he will not return to me."
• David then comforted Bathsheba his wife, and she later bore Solomon, whom the Lord loved.

(b) Two lessons that can be learnt from this reaction

1. Sincere repentance and prayer: David teaches that when we are in trouble, especially trouble resulting from sin, we should humble ourselves before God in fasting and prayer, trusting in His mercy rather than despairing.
2. Acceptance of God's will: When the outcome cannot be changed, we must accept God's decision with faith and dignity instead of endless grief. David shows the wisdom of resigning to the will of God and moving on to fulfil life's remaining responsibilities.