The Tragedy of Denying our Gifting
We come to the fateful episode of David's life. His tryst with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:1 (ESV) In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. The first thing we see David doing wrong is not going out to fight when he should have. He is king. This is what they do. The reason spring is mentioned is because of the dry ground it affords military marches and conquests. On top of this, we must remember that David's chief gift is military strategy. This is God-given gift. He wasn't called to sit on it and relax. I find that the less I give myself to what I know God has called me to do, the more time I have to ponder the enemies alternatives and be tempted by fleshly indulgences. Why does David stay home? I believe it has to do with this enemy - the Ammonites. Remember the last chapter when David...