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When David is confronted by the prophet Nathan, he immediately owns up to what he has done. David is broken and repents, asking God to forgive him. God does forgive him but doesn’t erase the consequences of David’s decisions. As a result of David’s horrible choices, his family starts to fall apart, making this part of scripture a tragic story, much like Saul’s.

David’s sons end up reliving their father’s mistakes, but even in worse ways. The Bible Project summarizes what’s to come: Ammon sexually abuses his sister Tamar, and when their brother Absalom finds out, he has Amon assassinated (2 Samuel 13). Then, Absalom hatches a plot to oust his father, David, from power and launches a full-scale rebellion (2 Samuel 15).

So, for the second time, David is forced to run from his own home and hide in the wilderness, except this time, he’s not innocent. The rebellion ends when David’s son is murdered (2 Samuel 18), which breaks David’s heart. Once again, he laments over those who tried to kill him. David’s final days find him back on his throne but as a broken man, wounded by the sad consequences of his sin.

Final thought:  The consequence of sin affects not only us but those we know and love. Bear this in mind the next time you feel tempted to sin.

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