Posted by blue on September 06, 1999 at 22:32:54:
In Reply to: David's Crimes posted by Erik on September 06, 1999 at 20:45:49:
: Well, for the record, David's chief crime was to order the murder of Uriah, something for which a just God would have had him dethroned and imprisoned, not merely chastened by the prophet Nathan.
Correct in a large sense. A God who quickly executed justice would have all of us in hell right now instead of allowing us to continue in sin. God was merciful to David. Remember, the last thing you want from God is justice. Justice puts you in hell. You want forgiveness instead.
You could also argue David's later sin of numbering the Israelites was greater than that of the adultery and murder, based upon the consequences.
:Instead of punishing the guilty, the "Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David" (2 Samuel 12:15), killing a baby for the crime of it's father. Nice society, eh?
This is a common misconception, namely that death is a judgment. Death is followed by judgment, and the Bible frequently uses death as a sign of judgment, but death itself is not judgment. Bringing a baby to heaven is no judgment upon the baby.
:Unfortunately, there is no real way to be sure about her consent or lack therof.
True.
: But, irregardless of the charge of rape, it is still a black mark against Israel and the Old Testament God that David was allowed to remain king after murdering one of his own loyal soldiers. The amazing thing is that this is probably one of the tamer injustices cataloged in the Old Testament.
Again, "it is appointed unto man once to die and THEN the judgment."