Homicide: Felonious: David
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The account of David's involvement in a felonious homicide is one of the most sobering narratives in the Old Testament, illustrating the grave consequences of sin even among those chosen by God. This event is primarily recorded in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, where King David, the anointed ruler of Israel, commits a series of grievous sins culminating in the murder of Uriah the Hittite.

Context and Background

David, known for his deep faith and leadership, was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). However, his moral failure in the case of Uriah highlights the vulnerability of even the most devout individuals to sin. The incident occurs during a time when kings typically went to war, but David remained in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 11:1).

The Sin of Adultery

The sequence of events begins with David's adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. From the rooftop of his palace, David saw Bathsheba bathing and was captivated by her beauty. Despite knowing she was married, he sent for her and lay with her, resulting in her pregnancy (2 Samuel 11:2-5).

The Plot to Conceal Sin

In an attempt to conceal his sin, David summoned Uriah from the battlefield, hoping he would go home and sleep with his wife, thus providing a cover for the pregnancy. However, Uriah, demonstrating loyalty and integrity, refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were in battle (2 Samuel 11:6-13).

The Felonious Homicide

Frustrated by Uriah's righteousness, David resorted to a more sinister plan. He instructed Joab, his military commander, to place Uriah at the forefront of the fiercest battle and then withdraw, ensuring Uriah's death (2 Samuel 11:14-15). Joab followed the king's orders, and Uriah was killed in battle, making David guilty of orchestrating his murder.

Divine Rebuke and Repentance

The Lord was displeased with David's actions, and He sent the prophet Nathan to confront the king. Nathan used a parable of a rich man who took a poor man's only lamb to illustrate David's sin. Upon realizing his guilt, David confessed, "I have sinned against the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:13). Nathan declared that while David's sin was forgiven, the consequences would be severe, including turmoil within his own household (2 Samuel 12:10-12).

Theological Implications

David's felonious homicide of Uriah serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of repentance. Despite his grievous actions, David's sincere repentance and God's mercy are evident in Psalm 51, where David pleads for a clean heart and a renewed spirit. This narrative underscores the biblical truth that while God is just and sin has consequences, He is also merciful and forgiving to those who truly repent.

Related Scripture

· Psalm 51:1-2 : "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
· 1 Kings 15:5 : "For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite."

David's account is a testament to the complexities of human nature and the profound grace of God, offering lessons on the consequences of sin, the necessity of accountability, and the hope of redemption through genuine repentance.
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2 Samuel 11:14-17
And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
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2 Samuel 12:9
Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? you have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
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Psalm 51:14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, you God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
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Resources
Why is "You shall not murder" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.org

What is an avenger of blood in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Homicide: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Homicide

Homicide: Accidental

Homicide: Confinement in the City of Refuge the Punishment For

Homicide: David's Repentance For, and Confession of, the Murder of Uriah

Homicide: Distinguished from Murder

Homicide: Felonious by Cain

Homicide: Felonious by Raping

Homicide: Felonious of Amon

Homicide: Felonious of Joash by his Servants

Homicide: Felonious of Sennacherib

Homicide: Felonious, or Murder

Homicide: Felonious: Abimelech

Homicide: Felonious: Abner

Homicide: Felonious: Absalom

Homicide: Felonious: Ahab and Jezebel

Homicide: Felonious: Amaziah's Soldiers

Homicide: Felonious: Ammonites

Homicide: Felonious: An Amalekite

Homicide: Felonious: Athaliah

Homicide: Felonious: Baasha

Homicide: Felonious: Barabbas

Homicide: Felonious: David

Homicide: Felonious: Ehud

Homicide: Felonious: Hazael

Homicide: Felonious: Herod

Homicide: Felonious: Herod Antipas

Homicide: Felonious: Herod the Great

Homicide: Felonious: Ishmael

Homicide: Felonious: Jael

Homicide: Felonious: Jehoram

Homicide: Felonious: Jehu

Homicide: Felonious: Joab

Homicide: Felonious: Joash

Homicide: Felonious: Lamech

Homicide: Felonious: Manasseh

Homicide: Felonious: Menahem

Homicide: Felonious: Moses

Homicide: Felonious: Nebuchadnezzar

Homicide: Felonious: Pharaoh

Homicide: Felonious: Rechab and Baanah

Homicide: Felonious: Sanhedrin

Homicide: Felonious: Sanhedrin and Pilate

Homicide: Felonious: Simeon and Levi

Homicide: Felonious: Solomon

Homicide: Felonious: Zimri

Homicide: Justifiable, Described as Killing a Manslayer by Next of Kin

Homicide: Justifiable, Described as Killing a Thief in the Night

Homicide: Justifiable, Described as Killing Enemies in Battle

Homicide: Justifiable, Described as Killing Persons Condemned by Law

Homicide: Protection Afforded in the Cities of Refuge to Those Guilty

Homicide: Punishment of

Homicide: The Avenger of Blood Might Slay Those Guilty of Unjustifiable

Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: Cain

Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: David

Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: Haman

Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: Joab

Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: The Murderer of Ish-Bosheth

Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: The Murderer of Saul

Homicide: The Punishment of Murderers: The Murderers of Joash

Homicide: Unjustifiable, Described as Killing by Accident

Homicide: Unjustifiable, Described as Killing Without Enmity

Homicide: Unjustifiable, Described as Killing Without Lying in Wait

Related Terms

Murder (41 Occurrences)

Asylum

Manslayer (20 Occurrences)

Atargatis

Homewards (1 Occurrence)

Homo

Family (438 Occurrences)

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)

Law (670 Occurrences)

Monthly (11 Occurrences)

Nehelamite (4 Occurrences)

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)

Tabeel (2 Occurrences)

Homicide: Felonious: Barabbas
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