Special Tests for Special Purposes – Part 18

What had happened? Why the change? David had experienced total success. Established as king over all Israel, victorious over all his enemies, he was enjoying the fruits of success. He no longer went out to battle. He remained at home in Jerusalem, free to indulge in all that took his fancy. So he did not hesitate to seduce Bathsheba, the wife of his neighbor, Uriah and nor to produce the murder of Uriah to cover up his sin.

In David’s time of success, he forgot the principles he lived by before he became king. Thank God that David eventually repented and God forgave his sin. Nevertheless, David’s sin cast a dark shadow over his descendants from generation to generation and God warned him: 2 Samuel 12:10 “Therefore murder shall be a constant threat in your family from this time on because you have insulted me by taking Uriah's wife.”

David’s son, Solomon who succeeded him as king, was beloved and chosen by God because he humbly acknowledged his need of wisdom and God also gave him riches and honor. He became the wisest, richest and most famous of all Israel’s kings. Yet in spite of all his wisdom, Solomon did not pass the test of success (1 Kings 11:4-6). In spite of his glorious beginning, Solomon died an idolater.