The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

II Samuel 12:19, “But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, ‘Is the child dead?’ And they said, ‘He is dead.’”

The Scriptures are never timid in setting forth man’s sin. Nor are they embarrassed to reveal the sometimes boisterous temperament of one who elsewhere in Scripture is termed “a man after God’s own heart.” Disturbed over the LORD’s slaying of Uzzah, the Bible boldly states that “David became angry because of the LORD’s outburst against Uzzah” (II Sam. 6:8). Thus, this “man after God’s own heart” was capable of anger. Yet now, he is doubtlessly contrite as he mourns the illness of his newborn son –a son whose life is quickly ebbing away.

When ultimately, the child dies, David consoles himself saying, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” These are hardly the words of a man lingering in uncertainty and despair. Nor are they the words of a man, who is either uncertain of his son’s whereabouts or confident of his son’s eternal devastation, speaks with mocking nonchalance. Rather, it is the voice of a confident father, who envisions a reconciliation with a son he barely knew, the child being dead at the age of a mere 7 days.

Further, David moves forthwith to the House of the LORD to worship. The vestiges of his previous anger are nowhere in sight. Instead, love for his God has replaced hate. Joy in the LORD has displaced sorrow for his son. That the LORD alone knows the eternal disposition of the son of David and Bathsheba is unquestionable. But, with the Scriptures having opened themselves to view the extremes of King David’s emotions, the evidence of consolation argues heavily for the acceptance of the son in the LORD’s Heavenly abode.

Remember the Apostle Paul’s admonition: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need
until He becomes all that we have.”
– Corrie ten Boom