“The Lord disciplines those he loves.” Hebrews 12:6

The Bible is completely honest when it describes people. King David’s wrongs are mentioned just as fully as are his good and heroic deeds. David had been a humble shepherd boy; he became a brave soldier and was a loving friend to King Saul’s son, Jonathan. He had been a loyal subject to the king who hated him.

But David was overcome in a weakness of the flesh when he had one of his soldiers, Uriah, killed in battle so he could marry his beautiful wife, Bathsheba.

God sent his prophet Nathan to King David who had deadened his conscience about his transgression. Nathan told the king a story about a wealthy man stealing a sheep from a poor man. It made David angry that such a thing could happen and he asked Nathan the man’s name.

The prophet declared, “You are the man!” This humbled David as he realized his terrible mistake and he wept and asked God to forgive him. Because he was truly repentant, God did forgive him, yet he still punished David for his evil act. 2 Samuel 12:1-25

The honesty of the Bible is shown in both the Old and New Testaments. Even though Abraham was faithful and was called “God’s friend” (James 2:23), yet he made mistakes in his life.

The apostles had many faults. When Jesus was accused and condemned to die on the cross, his beloved friend, Peter, was so frightened he would not admit he even knew Jesus. Paul, the apostle who took the place of Judas, had been the cruel Saul of Tarsus. He consented to the stoning of Stephen and brought much persecution upon the early church. Peter and John were called “un- schooled, ordinary men.” Acts 4:13

God loves us and helps us when we ask for his forgiveness and strive to do better. In spite of his faults, David was loyal at heart to God. He became Israel’s most beloved king and God promised that the future kingdom would come through his descendants.

Nathan told King David: “You are the man!”