2 Samuel 11:22-25
Verse 25 David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.”
The day, or more likely days, leading up to the news, David would have kept reassuring himself it was going to be fine now. He knew Joab would do as he commanded and that meant that it was a matter of waiting for the word that it was over. It would never have to be known by the masses what he had done with Uriah’s wife. Things would work out and he could be happy again. Probably even happy with the beautiful creature now carrying his child.
The messenger of Joab’s army heads to the king’s palace in Jerusalem. His mind may have been going from possible response from David to another but he likely never expected the response that he received. He would have been sure that David would either be fiery upset and deeply saddened. It must have been quite a shock to see that the king doesn’t seem bothered at all by the news or even how it happened.
David now had to do one of his greatest acting jobs in his life. He couldn’t let the relief he felt at the news of Uriah’s death be noticed. He must hold his face and posture to maintain his cover. He listened to the tale the young messenger was reporting as he was sent to do and the king must not let him know he was a messenger of anticipated news.
The king had been so sure that Joab would carry out his dirty deed, he had a reply at the ready. A reply which would send the young man’s mind reeling. With an attitude which sounded more like he was hearing there were no tomatoes for his sandwich he says, “That’s ok, it happens sometimes. Tell Joab it will be ok and to keep fighting the good fight.”
The messenger may have wondered if the king was in shock or worse yet hadn’t understood or heard what he had said about Uriah. Either way the young man was ready to get back to his unit and the fighting so he took the king’s message and headed back to Joab. He had done what was commanded of him and it wasn’t his job to understand how kings handled such news.
Making It Personal
Have you ever had to pretend you didn’t know something that you were being told? Was it a lie to pretend to be surprised? Is honesty always the best policy?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever known something and had to pretend you didn’t know? Was it a lie to pretend you didn’t know? Is there ever a time when it isn’t a lie to pretend you don’t know what is going on?
Closing Prayer
Father, we know that You are pure truth. Help us know the depth of how lying about things causes us to sin against You. In Jesus’ name, amen.