Cherokee

Yes humans are capable of controling their sexual urges. The Holy Spirit is our guide, God is our strength through Christ. We need to stay in close communion with the Lord if we want His help. Many people are out of control because they don't know God, or because they are not in a close relationship with him and are not being guided by the Holy Spirit. It's very important to control ourself sexually within marrige. Faithfulness is the basis of marriage. If trust is broken it destroys love and without love, there is no relationship. When sexuality has no boundaries, it opens the door for Satan and every kind of sin is on your doorstep. Marriages seldom survive infidelity, no trust, no love, no marriage. When we marry and have sexual relations with our mate we are giving them the most private and intimate part of ourself. When the mate shares this intimacy with another we feel used and defiled. We are no longer the 'precious' one and only to our mate but just one of the harem. Children learn from their parents behavior.Generational sin is told of in the Bible. When families are broken the children are pulled between the two people they love most in the world. It is torture for them they are the broken children. Our spirit becomes muddied, polluted and distanced from Holy God. Our body becomes Satan's playground to torment with disease, mental and emotional illnesses. The worst of all is the separation from our Holy God that sin causes.

David had really wanted to build the temple and I'm sure he had many thoughts and ideas concerning it. I think he began preparation partly because he was really excited about it and wanted to live long enough to see it completed. He didn't 'build' it, but only made preparation. David cooperated with the Holy Spirit by following the directions and drawing up the design he was given. They trusted him and felt if he was giving they should too.

David chose the plague of punishment on the people because he knew that God was more merciful than people were. He didn't want to fall into the hand of man. He insisted on paying for the threshing floor because it had to be a sacrifice of his own. Something belonging to him. A sacrifice without suffering is not really a sacrifice. When we give to the Lord it needs to be something of our own. Money, time, service, whatever. I don't believe we have to give anything to the Lord to atone for our sins as David did, Jesus covers that. We give out of love.

David describes himself as the Son of Jesse, raised up on high, annointed of the God of Jacob, The sweet psalmist of Israel. David was a prophet because he heard the Lord's voice and had prophetic dreams, the Lord spoke through him and he shared what he learned with his people. The main mesage I got from verses 3-7 is, he who rules over men must be just and rule with the fear of God. Certainly Government officials and elected leaders would do a much better job if they feared God and were just. There would be more honesty, love and concern for the people, they would be seeking direction from God. Power would not be the main concern, but being in harmony with the Lord God.

I read it aloud twice. The words came alive as I read. David's dedication inspires me. His heart is so completely for the Lord, giving God all the credit for every accomplishment, protection and salvation. It's like a love song to the Lord. I am encouraged by the fact that even though David sinned his love and dedication to God did not falter, God loved and forgave him, rescued and blessed him.

I believe David wanted mercy for Absalom because he loved him. I think Joab killed Absalom because he loved David and respected him as King. He probably felt protective over him as well since he was getting older and not as strong as he once was. I also think Joab felt that David wasn't capable of making a wise decision concerning his son because he was emotionally involved. Joab felt he was looking out David and the Kingdom. When David got carried away in his mourning for Absalom, It might be interpreted as a sign of weakness to some. Also if he were too carried away he wouldn't be able to perform his kingly duties and they were under a serious threat of war. This would leave the people vunerable once again. They must have felt very insecure. David's followers were probably scared and no wonder. But through it all they continued to trust his decisions and remain loyal. I believe they knew the Hand of God rested on David and they honored that even throughout the times of uncertainty. David's faith remains steadfast throughout everything that has happened. God is his main advisor, His companion and his greatest love. David was human and had times of weakness, especially I think as he grew older. He loved Absalom and wanted him to live. I'm sure he hoped for Absalom's repentance and reconciliation. As David became older he had probably become tired out both physically and emotionally, therefore was not leading as strongly as when he was a young man. One of the main problems I think was a lack of father to son discipline which left the spanking to God "spare the rod and spoil the child." This is a very sad story.

David doesn't silence Shiemi because he is repentant and humbled and because he believes the cursing may be part of the Lord's judgement and if he receives it the Lord might repay him with good. I believe this is purely a spiritual decision. David is so humbled by now that his communion with the Lord is constant. Circumstances do not alter David's faith in God. He is steadfast in good times and in bad times. This reminds me a lot of Job, 13:15..Though He slay my, yet will I trust Him...

David leaves because he has been laid back for quite some time, possibly because of his age, and is not prepared for battle. He has no troops ready and no food stores. He loves the people and knows if they stay they would probably all die. I would imagine David was feeling very sad. First because his own son was fighting against him, and second to have to leave the place he loves and be separated from the Ark of the Covenant. I think he also was feeling repentant for not being prepared and putting the people in jeopardy but he was accepting all this because he knew it was discipline from God who loves him. Still what a burden to carry knowing that Israel was in such danger because of his sins. He didn't take the ark because it isn't his personal property and by leaving it and the priest's, he would have informants. I think it mostly displays faith and submission to God's will, but also fatalism because David knew he had no other options. What this lesson tells me about David's faith is that it's as strong as it ever was.

Yes it is hard to find a positive in this lesson but it does show that God's love is unconditional and neverending. There are concequences but He is a faithful and forgiving God who keeps His word. The negative lesson I see is that sin is like domino's. One following the other. Having to continue to sin to cover up the previous one. It's like entrapment. We need to stay close to the Lord and seek Him in all things. When we do sin we need to take responsibility, repent, ask forgiveness and learn by the mistake.