Mar 15 (2 Sam 10-11; 1 Chr 19)

2nd Samuel 10

(v.5) David makes a gesture to the new king of Ammon, and his servants are disgraced because of it. This is an opportunity to teach our kids to be gracious and respectful to strangers...even people who we don't consider friends. In that time and culture, a man grew a beard, and it was a sign of his maturity and stature, so David had these shamed men wait in a nearby town until their beards grew back to an admirable length before returning.

(v.12) Joab does a maneuver that is copied in warfare today...divide and attack in two fronts. It is a risky tactic, but if successful, it can be demoralizing to an enemy. This tactic worked, and mostly because Joab sent the troops off with a prayer and call for blessing by God.

2nd Samuel 11

At one time, David shows great trust in God, and his army is brilliant in battle because they inquire of God to lead them. Then, David let's the sins and temptations of the flesh get the better of him. It is so easy to let our pride get in the way of our faith. In fact, some say that when we are at our most triumphant, we are at our most vulnerable to fall. I teach my kids that when they succeed at studies or sports, they should thank God, and give ALL the credit to Him. If we start thinking we are strong and self-reliant, then that's when we fall to temptation and pride.

Depending upon the ages of your kids, we need to tread carefully here. The main point is that David wanted something he couldn't have...another man's wife. He should have left it at that, and remembered the 7th and 10th commandments (Ex 20:14,17).

If David had prayed and remembered God's Word at that time, he would have moved on and avoided the sinful acts he was about to do. To make matters worse, David didn't repent of his sinful act, and added to it by trying to cover it up, and ultimately, to have Uriah be killed in battle. As we shall see in the next chapter, it took a smack in the face of reality from the prophet Nathan, to wake David up from his lustful stupor, and he repented. Then, when we repent, God can work in us again.