The Sins of a Man after God's Own Heart

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  Can a man after God's own heart commit horrific sins?

If you don't consistently do what you should, you'll eventually and increasingly do what you shouldn't.

1. He didn't do what he should have done (2 Sam 11:1)--his mission, perhaps rationalizing that he had worked hard enough for so long, and needed a break.
2. He slept in with nothing to do. When you have "nothing to do," you'll end up doing something you shouldn't be doing (2 Sam 11:2).
3. He gave in to lust (2 Sam 11:3). He should stop looking at Bathsheba, but then he had "nothing else to do."
4. He committed adultery (2 Sam 11:4). He "forgot" he was married. But then he had "nothing to do." 
5. He concealed his sin, instead of confessing his sin (2 Sam 11:8, 10).
6. He made Uriah drunk (2 Sam 11:13).
7. He was blind to Uriah's loyalty and faithfulness (2 Sam 11:11), being consumed with hiding his sin.
8. He sent Uriah to his death (2 Sam 11:14-15, 24-25). It was premeditated murder.

How David Expressed His Thanksgiving (2 Samuel 9:1-13)

"I will surely show you kindness" (2 Sam 9:7).

Being thankful is so darn hard. Why? It's so much easier to be angry and upset with others!

2 things that seem to deeply upset and anger us is when we think or feel that we were unappreciated or disrespected. We just can't get over feeling dissed or disregarded, regardless of whether or not others intended to do so. This bothers us so deeply and profoundly, because we so naturally default to self-centeredness and self-righteousness, which are common expressions of selfishness.

Surprising ("Hesed" or "Chesed") Love (2 Samuel 9:1-13)

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Sam 9:1)

Benjamin Warfield (1851-1921) was professor of theology at Princeton Seminary from 1887-1921. Before that he was pursuing studies in Leipzing, Germany, in 1876-77. This time also doubled as his honeymoon with his wife Annie. They were on a walking tour in the Harz Mountains when they were caught in a terrific thunderstorm. The experience was such a shock to Annie that she never fully recovered, becoming more or less an invalid for life. Warfield only left her for seminary duties, but never for more than 2 hours at a time. His world was almost entirely limited to Princeton and to the care of his wife. For 39 years. One of his students noted that when he saw the Warfields out walking together "the gentleness of his manner was striking proof of the loving care with which he surrounded her." For 39 years.

Love that truly loves is willing to bind itself, is willing to promise, willing and gladly obligates itself, so that the other may stand securely in that love.

2 Sam 9:1-13 is all about love. It is about David's love for Mephibosheth. The Hebrew word, which appears 3 times in 2 Sam 9:1,3,7, is hesed (or chesed). Its meaning is rooted in the character of God. It is so rich that so single English word can fully do it justice: stedfast love, loving kindness, covenant friendship, loyal love, and justice are a few of the ways we translate hesed. Notice 3 things about hesed in David's example: