For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORDThis phrase underscores the biblical portrayal of David as a man after God's own heart. The Hebrew word for "right" is "yashar," which conveys a sense of uprightness and righteousness. David's life, despite its imperfections, is characterized by a sincere pursuit of God's will. Historically, David's reign is marked by his devotion to God, as seen in his psalms and his efforts to establish Jerusalem as the spiritual center of Israel. This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's actions with divine standards, seeking to live a life pleasing to God. and had not turned aside from anything He commanded him The phrase "turned aside" comes from the Hebrew "suwr," meaning to depart or deviate. This highlights David's general faithfulness to God's commandments. In the ancient Near Eastern context, kings were often seen as mediators between the divine and their people, and David's adherence to God's commands set a standard for leadership. This phrase encourages believers to remain steadfast in their obedience to God's word, recognizing the blessings that come from a life of faithfulness. all the days of his life This expression emphasizes the consistency and longevity of David's devotion. The Hebrew word "kol" for "all" suggests completeness and totality. David's life, from his anointing as a young shepherd to his final days as king, is marked by a continuous relationship with God. This serves as an inspirational model for believers to maintain their faith throughout their entire lives, regardless of the challenges they may face. except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite The exception noted here is significant, as it acknowledges David's grave sin involving Bathsheba and Uriah. The Hebrew word "dabar" for "matter" can also mean "word" or "thing," indicating a specific incident. This historical event is recorded in 2 Samuel 11, where David's actions led to adultery and murder. Despite his overall faithfulness, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of human fallibility and the consequences of sin. It also highlights the importance of repentance and God's grace, as David's sincere repentance is documented in Psalm 51. This phrase encourages believers to seek forgiveness and restoration when they fall short, trusting in God's mercy and grace. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe second king of Israel, known for his heart for God and his role in establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. Despite his many accomplishments, he is also remembered for his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah. 2. Uriah the HittiteA loyal soldier in King David's army and the husband of Bathsheba. He was deceitfully sent to the front lines of battle by David, leading to his death, as part of David's attempt to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who judges the actions of His people and holds them accountable to His commandments. 4. IsraelThe nation over which David reigned as king. The spiritual and moral state of the nation was often reflective of the king's own relationship with God. 5. JerusalemThe city that David established as the capital of Israel and the location of the future temple, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Teaching Points The Importance of a Faithful HeartDavid's life is a testament to the importance of maintaining a heart that seeks after God, even amidst personal failures. The Consequences of SinDavid's account reminds us that sin has serious consequences, not only for ourselves but also for those around us. The Power of RepentanceGenuine repentance, as demonstrated by David, can restore our relationship with God and bring healing. God's Grace and ForgivenessDespite our shortcomings, God's grace is sufficient, and His forgiveness is available to those who truly repent. Legacy of FaithfulnessOur lives should be marked by a consistent pursuit of God's will, leaving a legacy of faithfulness for future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's life illustrate the balance between human imperfection and a heart for God? 2. In what ways can we guard against the kind of moral failure that David experienced with Bathsheba and Uriah? 3. How does David's response to his sin (as seen in Psalm 51) inform our understanding of true repentance? 4. What lessons can we learn from David's life about the long-term impact of our actions on others? 5. How can we apply the concept of being "a person after God's own heart" in our daily walk with Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 11-12These chapters provide the detailed account of David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, highlighting the gravity of his actions and the subsequent consequences. Psalm 51David's psalm of repentance, written after Nathan the prophet confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba, showing his contrite heart and desire for God's forgiveness. Acts 13:22This verse refers to David as a man after God's own heart, emphasizing his overall faithfulness despite his failings. 1 John 1:9This New Testament verse speaks to the promise of forgiveness and cleansing from sin when we confess, reflecting the grace David experienced. People Abel, Abijah, Abijam, Abishalom, Ahijah, Aram, Asa, Baasha, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Benjamin, Dan, David, Hadad, Hezion, Issachar, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Maacah, Maachah, Nadab, Naphtali, Nebat, Rehoboam, Rezon, Sodomites, Tabrimon, Tirzah, Uriah, UrijahPlaces Abel-beth-maacah, Chinneroth, Damascus, Dan, Geba, Gibbethon, Ijon, Jerusalem, Kidron, Mizpah, Ramah, Syria, TirzahTopics Anything, Aside, Case, Commanded, Commands, David, Didn't, Except, Failed, Hittite, Lord's, Matter, Orders, Question, Save, Sight, Turn, Uriah, Uri'ah, UrijahDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 15:5 5149 eyes 6023 sin, universality 8208 commitment, to God 1 Kings 15:1-31 5366 king Library David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah. "And David said unto Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said unto David, 'The lord also hath put away thy sin; then shalt not die.'" The sin here referred to is that of David in the matter of Uriah. A strange and sad event--taken in all its circumstances and connections, it is without a parallel. But the circumstance most to be lamented, is that mentioned by the prophet, in the close of his message--"By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." … Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important SubjectsAsa BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. 1 KINGS xv. 8-24; 2 CHRON. xiv-xvi. Asa was the third king who reigned over the separated kingdoms of Judah. His father was Ahijah, of whom it is sternly said, "He walked in all the sins of his father, Rehoboam, which he had done before him." A worse bringing-up than Asa's could scarcely be imagined. As a child, and as a lad, he was grievously tempted by his father's example, and by the influence of an idolatrous court, which was crowded by flatterers and … George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Whether Christ is the Head of the Church? Objection 1: It would seem that it does not belong to Christ as man to be Head of the Church. For the head imparts sense and motion to the members. Now spiritual sense and motion which are by grace, are not imparted to us by the Man Christ, because, as Augustine says (De Trin. i, 12; xv, 24), "not even Christ, as man, but only as God, bestows the Holy Ghost." Therefore it does not belong to Him as man to be Head of the Church. Objection 2: Further, it is not fitting for the head to have a head. But … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Proper to Christ to be Head of the Church? Objection 1: It seems that it is not proper to Christ to be Head of the Church. For it is written (1 Kings 15:17): "When thou wast a little one in thy own eyes, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel?" Now there is but one Church in the New and the Old Testament. Therefore it seems that with equal reason any other man than Christ might be head of the Church. Objection 2: Further, Christ is called Head of the Church from His bestowing grace on the Church's members. But it belongs to others … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Obedience is the Greatest of the virtues? Objection 1: It seems that obedience is the greatest of the virtues. For it is written (1 Kings 15:22): "Obedience is better than sacrifices." Now the offering of sacrifices belongs to religion, which is the greatest of all moral virtues, as shown above ([3173]Q[81], A[6]). Therefore obedience is the greatest of all virtues. Objection 2: Further, Gregory says (Moral. xxxv) that "obedience is the only virtue that ingrafts virtues in the soul and protects them when ingrafted." Now the cause is greater … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Christ Died Out of Obedience? Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not die out of obedience. For obedience is referred to a command. But we do not read that Christ was commanded to suffer. Therefore He did not suffer out of obedience. Objection 2: Further, a man is said to do from obedience what he does from necessity of precept. But Christ did not suffer necessarily, but voluntarily. Therefore He did not suffer out of obedience. Objection 3: Further, charity is a more excellent virtue than obedience. But we read that Christ … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Disobedience is the Most Grievous of Sins? Objection 1: It seems that disobedience is the most grievous of sins. For it is written (1 Kings 15:23): "It is like the sin of witchcraft to rebel, and like the crime of idolatry to refuse to obey." But idolatry is the most grievous of sins, as stated above ([3182]Q[94], A[3]). Therefore disobedience is the most grievous of sins. Objection 2: Further, the sin against the Holy Ghost is one that removes the obstacles of sin, as stated above ([3183]Q[14], A[2]). Now disobedience makes a man contemn … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Predestination Can be Furthered by the Prayers of the Saints? Objection 1: It seems that predestination cannot be furthered by the prayers of the saints. For nothing eternal can be preceded by anything temporal; and in consequence nothing temporal can help towards making something else eternal. But predestination is eternal. Therefore, since the prayers of the saints are temporal, they cannot so help as to cause anyone to become predestined. Predestination therefore is not furthered by the prayers of the saints. Objection 2: Further, as there is no need of … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Lawful for Clerics to Kill Evil-Doers? Objection 1: It would seem lawful for clerics to kill evil-doers. For clerics especially should fulfil the precept of the Apostle (1 Cor. 4:16): "Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ," whereby we are called upon to imitate God and His saints. Now the very God whom we worship puts evildoers to death, according to Ps. 135:10, "Who smote Egypt with their firstborn." Again Moses made the Levites slay twenty-three thousand men on account of the worship of the calf (Ex. 32), the priest Phinees … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Becoming to Pray? Objection 1: It would seem that it is unbecoming to pray. Prayer seems to be necessary in order that we may make our needs known to the person to whom we pray. But according to Mat. 6:32, "Your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things." Therefore it is not becoming to pray to God. Objection 2: Further, by prayer we bend the mind of the person to whom we pray, so that he may do what is asked of him. But God's mind is unchangeable and inflexible, according to 1 Kings 15:29, "But the Triumpher … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory 'And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God; 3. For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: 4. And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 5. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 6. And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily? Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood … Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ. 1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on … John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Question Lxxxiii of Prayer I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. … St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Kings The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), … John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 15:5 NIV1 Kings 15:5 NLT1 Kings 15:5 ESV1 Kings 15:5 NASB1 Kings 15:5 KJV
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