The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most well-known yet perplexing accounts in the Bible. In 2 Samuel 11, we read how David committed adultery with Bathsheba and she became pregnant. To cover up his sin, David arranged for her husband Uriah to be killed in battle. After Bathsheba finished the mourning period for her husband, David took her as his wife. However, their first child together became grievously ill and died seven days after birth (2 Samuel 12:15-18). This seems incredibly unfair that an innocent baby would suffer the consequences of its parents’ sins.
When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David confessed his sins and repented. Nathan told David that the Lord had taken away his sin and he would not die. However, there were still temporal consequences for his grievous sins. The child would die, even though he was innocent of any wrongdoing (2 Samuel 12:13-14).
There are a few reasons why God may have allowed this to happen:
1. To show the seriousness of sin
David’s sin with Bathsheba was extremely grievous. He had committed both adultery and murder to cover it up. Even though God forgave David when he repented, there were still consequences for his actions. The death of the child impressed upon David the gravity of what he had done and served as a reminder that all sin has consequences, even though forgiveness is available.
2. The child was not condemned or punished
It is important to recognize that the child did not die as a punishment for sin. All death is a consequence of the fall and original sin (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). But in God’s mercy and grace, this child was not condemned or held accountable for the sins of its parents. The child was innocent and his soul was safe in the hands of a loving and just God.
David recognized this when he said, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). He knew he would see his child again in the joy of God’s presence. The child did not suffer judgment, only physical death. Its eternal destiny was secure.
3. To bring David to true repentance
Prior to the baby becoming sick, David’s repentance was rather superficial. He admitted he had “sinned against the Lord” but does not appear to have fully grasped the horrific nature of his actions (2 Samuel 12:13). However, after earnest prayer and fasting, once the child died, David’s repentance became very real and heartfelt (2 Samuel 12:15-23).
David had tried to cover up his sins with Bathsheba. Losing their first child impressed upon him the magnitude of his wrongdoing and led him to fully repent. This repentance was essential for the king of Israel to be able to continue leading the nation in righteousness.
4. Everything works toward God’s plans
As painful as this event was, it served God’s greater purposes. Through his genuine repentance, David grew in his relationship with God and became a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David and Bathsheba’s next son was Solomon, who succeeded David as king of Israel and built the temple.
Despite the tragedy of losing their first child, good came about that upheld God’s divine plans. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). We cannot fully grasp all his reasons, but we can trust his wisdom and goodness.
5. Foreshadowing Jesus’ sacrifice
This event was also used by God to foreshadow a greater sacrifice. Just as David said the child could not return to him but he would go to the child, Jesus told his disciples he would die and be raised to life and they would be reunited (John 14:1-4).
David willingly accepted the consequence of his sin, just as Jesus willingly took the punishment of sin upon himself. Both did so out of deep love – David for his child, Jesus for humanity. The death of David’s son pointed forward to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for sin.
6. All death results from the fall
Ultimately, all physical death is a consequence of the fall and the curse of sin upon humanity (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). We live in a fallen world where the innocent often suffer. David and Bathsheba’s child did nothing wrong, but still experienced death. Likewise, death touches young and old, guilty and innocent alike.
This does not mean that God singled out this child for punishment or death. Physical suffering is simply the current human condition. However, Jesus’ death and resurrection offer the hope of eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16), where there will be no more pain, sorrow or death (Revelation 21:4).
7. Suffering refines faith
Difficult trials like David endured with the loss of his child often serve to refine and strengthen our faith. When we suffer yet trust God’s purposes and care, our reliance on him grows. David had to cling to God’s mercy and promises through this horrific event. His faith was tested and found genuine.
God does not delight in seeing anyone suffer, but often uses it for good in our lives (Hebrews 12:10-11; Romans 8:28). Our faith is proved genuine and praiseworthy when it withstands trials (1 Peter 1:6-7). So it was for David.
Conclusion
The death of David and Bathsheba’s first child impresses upon us the utter tragedy that sin unleashes in the world. Sin always has consequences, even when God’s forgiveness is sought and granted. However, we can find comfort in knowing it was not a punishment upon the innocent child.
God allowed this to occur to bring David to full repentance, continue his divine plans through Solomon’s birth, point to Christ’s sacrifice for sins, and refine David’s faith. Though incredibly painful, God worked it for good in ways that uphold his righteousness, mercy and sovereignty.
As humans, we cannot fully grasp God’s mysterious ways. But through faith in Christ, we can have hope and assurance that God works all things for good for those who love him (Romans 8:28). Even the most tragic events are under his sovereign hand and care.