I wrote my paper on the sense of smell. I worked hard, and was eager to see my grade. It was an “A” scratched out––and a “C” with the words, “I smell something fishy.” Guilt, whether real guilt or a false guilt, can stay with us for a lifetime.
David’s son, Amnon, became infatuated with his half-sister Tamar. He tricked her and then raped her. In spite of this terrible crime, David was unable to bring himself to punish his oldest son–– “because he loved him”––classic enabling behavior.
King David had one defining moment. Today I want to ask, “What exactly was his defining moment?” For many people, the defining moment was his act of adultery. For those who study the passage more carefully, his defining moment was his repentance.
For several months, I have been doing battle with a pesky spider. The image of a spider’s web is appropriate for this sermon on David’s famous sin. For David, one sin led to a web of deceit and sin, and it created a web of impact that lasted for generations.
Our text for today inspired some of the great spirituals that are still beloved by people of many races. One of my favorites is: “Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Coming for to carry me home."
I could not help but think of this game show when I read our text for today. Ahab was playing a similar game except his title would be, “Deal… Or Else!” In Ahab’s game, it was deal or die! And Naboth decided not to deal.
It is always tricky when someone asks what you want for your birthday or Christmas. Sometimes we don’t have anything in mind. Solomon didn’t have that problem with God.
Today’s passage uses the word “house” seven times. It uses "house" in three ways. First, it means “palace.” Second, it means “temple.” Finally, it means “dynasty,” when God speaks of the “house” that God will build for David.
When Abinadab was given the privilege of moving the Ark to Jerusalem, he hit on a new idea––an ox cart. He put the Ark on the cart so that the people would not be so burdened. This sounds reasonable, but it was not what God had instructed.
Like many of the writers of the New Testament, Paul wanted to show in every way possible the superiority of Jesus Christ. In our passage today, he turns the veil imagery to make the point of the superiority of Christ.