3-30-07 2 Samuel 12:13

2 Samuel 12:13 (KJ21)

And David said unto Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said unto David, "The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die."

2 Samuel 12:13 (NAS)

Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.

2 Samuel 12:13 (NIVUS)

Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.

2 Samuel 12:13 (NLT)

Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.

If you are familiar with King David in the Bible, you know that he did not live a perfect life. In fact, he failed in ways that most people would not even think about doing. He lusted after the wife of one his friends and army officers and committed adultery with her, while his friend was out fighting on the front lines. When Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, David tried to trick Uriah into sleeping with his wife, even though Israel's army was still fighting the enemy. Uriah was a man of honor and refused; he did not want to enjoy any blessing that his men could not. Therefore, in order to solve his problem, David sent secret orders through Uriah to the commander. The plan, which worked very effectively, was to have Uriah stationed in the very heat of the battle, where he would be killed.

David, in spite of his failings and weaknesses, was beloved of Jehovah the Lord God. However, God could not let David's sin go without punishment and discipline. He, therefore, sent Nathan to give David a very important message. When David realized that what he had done was not hidden from God, he confessed his sin, admitting how he had done wrong. He knew he was guilty and unclean and deserved condemnation and punishment. When David finally repented and turned away from his sin and back to God, Jehovah the Lord took away David's transgressions. In God's eyes, they became invalid and obsolete. Adonai extended forgiveness to David, so that David did not die. Adultery and murder were both sins that carried the death penalty under Israel's law, but the Lord did not execute this sentence on David and he went free.

Like David, you have also sinned against the Lord and you deserve the death sentence as well. But Jehovah the Lord, Jesus Christ, took the punishment of your sin upon Himself. He died in your place, so that you could go free and continue to live in the abundance that Adonai has planned for you. How great is the love and forgiveness of your God!