GOLIATH AND BATHSHEBA

When mentioning the name David (mostly) people remember two events. First, his fight against Goliath. Full of enthusiasm he said to Saul, the king, "I will fight him." Full of courage he walked towards the battlefield, armed with a stick, a sling, and five stones. When facing the giant man, David quickly slung a stone. The stone hit the forehead, embedded in it, and immediately Goliath fell (1 Samuel 17:32-49).

Second, his adultery with Bathsheba. From the rooftop of his palace, David saw the woman bathing. She was very beautiful so David desired her. He ignored the information that he received that the woman, Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam, was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David sent for her, and then slept with her (verse 4). Feeling guilty, the woman sent a message to him that she was pregnant. Twice David tried to persuade Uriah to go home so that he could sleep with his wife. Unfortunately, Uriah refused. Seeing no way out, David sent a letter to Joab containing a plan to murder Uriah (verse 15).

Goliath and Bathsheba highlight two events that we commonly experience in daily life. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Sometimes we stand firm in faith, sometimes we fall into sin. David's actions tell us how to act properly. When about to fight against Goliath, David did not stop mentioning the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:26, 36-37, 45-47). So if we win later, let us give the glory only to the name of the Lord. Conversely, when we fall into sin, let us learn to admit it, then repent (2 Samuel 12:13). --LIN/www.renunganharian.net