May 13 – 2 Samuel 11-12 & 1 Chronicles 20

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from 2 Samuel 11-12 & 1 Chronicles 20. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Today’s reading gave me several observations that I would like to make more so than teaching a devotional thought. Here are just two …

Did you notice the contrast between 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles today? Both accounts talked about the Israelite army going off to war. Both talked about how David stayed back in Jerusalem. But only one mentioned David and Bathsheba. Technically both books mention David’s relationship with Bathsheba. 1 Chronicles mentions Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba in chapter fourteen verse four. But only 2 Samuel tells the whole story. That’s because 1 Chronicles is more of a history book documenting what takes place during Israel’s history from the time of the kings onward. The books of Samuel are telling a narrative, connecting us the reader to people who really lived. In this take on the story we are given more glimpses into their character and actions as people.

The second observation I want to make is how far David falls in this encounter with Bathsheba. One moment of weakness allowed him to cascade severely away from God. And what makes this even more impressive is that Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba’s husband, is one of David’s Mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:41). This understanding of who Uriah was to David makes the narrative told by Nathan all the more powerful.

Were there any observations you had as you read today?

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