12th.: David, Ammon, and Absalom
David was wrong to commit adultery, and then kill the 'other' man.
God had to do something about this sin.
God told David,
“I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house.” (2nd Sam. 12:11a).
As things came to pass, David’s oldest son, Amnon (2nd Sam. 3:2), raped his half-sister, Tamar (2nd Sam. 13:1-14).
“And when King David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.” (2nd Sam. 13:21).
This would have been a good time for David to inquire of the Lord.
Per Jewish law (Deut. 22:25-27), Amnon should have been executed for raping Tamar.
But David didn't want to execute his son.
If David had prayed, he would have gained the courage to do what God required.
As things turned out, David’s third oldest son, Absalom (2nd Sam. 3:3), and full brother to Tamar (2nd Sam. 13:20) murdered Amnon for raping Tamar (2nd Sam. 13:32).
Having the son do the killing, and not the appointed civil authorities, caused future headaches for David.
Likewise, let us pray for the resolve to do what we must do.
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statues. And I shall keep it unto the end.” (Ps. 119:33)