Topical Bible: Government: Mosaic: David Rebukes

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In the context of Mosaic government, the leadership and governance of King David hold significant importance. David, the second king of Israel, is often remembered for his heart after God and his role in establishing a united kingdom. However, his reign was not without its challenges and moments of divine correction, often referred to as "rebukes."

One of the most notable instances of David being rebuked is found in the narrative of his sin with Bathsheba. In 2 Samuel 11, David commits adultery with Bathsheba and subsequently arranges for the death of her husband, Uriah the Hittite, to cover up the sin. This grievous act displeased the Lord, and He sent the prophet Nathan to confront David. Nathan's rebuke is recorded in 2 Samuel 12:7-9 : "Then Nathan said to David, 'You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why then have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.'"

David's response to Nathan's rebuke is one of repentance, as seen in 2 Samuel 12:13 : "Then David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the LORD.' And Nathan replied, 'The LORD has taken away your sin; you will not die.'" This moment highlights the importance of accountability and repentance in leadership, as well as God's mercy and justice.

Another significant rebuke occurs during the census of Israel, as recorded in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21. David, incited by Satan, orders a census of the fighting men of Israel, an act that demonstrates a reliance on military strength rather than trust in God. This displeases the Lord, and David is confronted with a choice of three punishments. David chooses to fall into the hands of the Lord, resulting in a plague that devastates the land. In 2 Samuel 24:10 , David acknowledges his sin: "After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken, and he said to the LORD, 'I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.'"

These instances of rebuke serve as reminders of the high standards to which leaders are held, especially those governing under the Mosaic covenant. David's willingness to accept correction and seek God's forgiveness exemplifies the heart of a leader who, despite his failings, remains committed to God's will. The rebukes David received underscore the necessity of humility and the readiness to return to God, principles that are foundational to the governance model established in the Mosaic law.

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2 Samuel 19:11
And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
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Library

The Prophet Hosea.
... Pg 167] up in opposition to the government of the ... and the rebellion against the dynasty
of David. ... so much isolated transgression of a Mosaic ordinance extended ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

The Five Books Against Marcion
... Chapter XVII.--Trace God's Government in History and in His ... in the World Predicted
The Sure Mercies of David. ... The Mosaic Uncleanness on This Point Explained. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/the five books against marcion/

And ii.
... And He judges among many people, and rebukes strong nations ... ancient people by the
hand of David, and by ... shadow placed between, so that God's government was then ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 72]204, [73]205; and also of government, [74]206 ... right to maintenance, [310]120;
sanctioned by Mosaic law, [311 ... David, his love for his people, [437]146; to his ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... The Mosaic pavements split ... The Book of the Popes recites that during his four years'
government the Lombards overran all ... This brought to my mind king David's act ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

On the Interpretation of Scripture
... back some thousand years before the Mosaic chronology; recent ... fact of the house of
David, the Lord's ... the Episcopal Form of Church Government, have sufficient ...
/.../on the interpretation of scripture.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... persecution of the Christians was undertaken by the Roman Government during the ... idea
in showing the relation of Greek philosophy to the Mosaic dispensation and ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm