David Expected To Be With His Child
by Jerry Whitlow
The Word of God says in 2 Samuel 12:15-23, “And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
The previous passage speaks concerning the result of David’s sin with Bathsheba. Nathan the Prophet had confronted David concerning his sin, and the effects that would take place. When David’s child became sick, he immediately began to pray and seek the face of God on behalf of this child. However, it was not the will of God for this child to live. Therefore, David’s child died.
Upon the death of the child, David arose, washed, anointed himself, and went into the House of the Lord to worship. His servants did not understand his behavior and asked why he was so different now than when the child was lying sick. David explained that he did all humanly possible while the child was alive, but now the child is dead. The only thing he can do now is look forward to the day he will be reunited with him again. Notice the words of David, “can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
David was confident he would go to be with his child. What gave David such confidence? His child was too young to understand the scriptures but was old enough to lay upon the bed. The very next verse says that David went and comforted his wife Bathsheba. How could one be comforted if his child was gone forever? David had complete faith he would see his child again.
It was from this passage my parents were led to Christ and received much comfort. They had done all humanly possible for Debra while she was alive, but now she was dead. They could not bring her back, though heartbroken over their loss. Yet, they could go and be with her and that became the solution. The only question to be answered now is how can this happen?
Romans 5:12-17 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God,and thegiftbygrace,whichisbyoneman,Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”
Death and sin go together. Also, grace and peace go together. When sin comes, death comes; when grace comes, peace comes. It is a fact that sin entered into the world and death is the result. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Paul introduces the fact that sin can exist without the law, for sin was before the law. Thereby, man cannot be justified by the law, for sin was before the law. Death has reigned from Adam to Moses according to the Apostle Paul. Genesis 5 gives the obituary column of the Bible where over and over again it is stated, “and he died.” Death reined then, and death still reigns today.
Death even reigns over those who have not sinned after the likeness of Adam’s transgression. The Bible words it in this manner, “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come” (verse 14). Concerning whom is this verse speaking? Adam was given a commandment from God and broke it. However, there are some who have never received this commandment.
When this passage was written, many children were in the land just as today; many who had never heard the commandment of God, and had never been given a chance to comprehend. Many were in the land who were mentally disabled, who would never be able to fully understand the commandment of God. Yet, death reigned upon them. Adam’s sin affected all of the human race, including little children and the mentally deficient. However, the story does not end here.
The Word of God continues in verse 15 saying, “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification”
Years ago, an illustration was given concerning a certain man who went into the forest and set fire to a tree. (This is what Adam did in sinning against God.)
However, the illustration continued with the fire traveling through the tree and soon the whole forest was ablaze with this consuming fire. That is what happened with the sin of Adam. It has gone to the extent of affecting the entire human race. However, suppose one came and put out the fire in the forest. This event would be far greater than the first event of setting the tree on fire. This is what Paul is trying to illustrate. Jesus did much more than Adam. The condemnation came from one offence, but justification removes millions of offenses.
Notice the beginning of verse 15, “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift.” Many children face the reign of death, and many mentally deficient face the reign of death, but both may also receive the free gift. What is this free gift? This gift is the marvelous grace of God that He has for those who may not have the ability to trust Him, but He grants safety for them to be with Him. I guess one could say, “When there is no way, God makes a way.” Children, therefore, are safe in Jesus Christ.
Finally, one cannot forget Ezekiel 16:20-21 where the Word of God makes a clear statement concerning to whom children belong. It says, “Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?” Yes, these children belong to the Lord. He says, “Thou has borne unto me” and “My children.” Therefore, if we have born them unto Him, and they belong to Him, no man can take them away from Him.