Connect Series: Connect by Picking Up the Pieces (Part 3)

In our relationship series, Connect, we are looking at the lives of Bible couples and the issues they dealt with. This week, we look at the marriage of David and Bathsheba who learned to pick up the pieces of their lives. In this post, we'll look at what the punishment David and Bathsheba faced. And the way God used their lives, and their future, for His glory.

David faced a four-fold punishment as outlined by the prophet Nathan in II Samuel 12:
1. The "sword shall never depart from you"- v. 10
David's sons Amnon (II Samuel 13) and Absalom (II Samuel 18) would both eventually die.

2. "I will raise up adversity against you from your own house"- v. 11
David's son Amnon sexually assaulted David's daughter Tamar (II Samuel 13).

3. "I will take your wives before your eyes"- v. 11
David's son Absalom was later involved sexually with some of David's other wives (II Samuel 16)

4. "The child also who is born to you"- v. 14
The child who was to be born to David and Bathsheba would die (II Samuel 12).

How'd it end? Bathsheba became David's last and most honored wife. David and Bathsheba had additional children. She was a good mother to Solomon, a future son, later helping him protect his throne. Solomon's family line extends to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus (Matthew 1). Another future son was Nathan. His family line extends to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 3).

From the midst of horrendous sin and circumstances, God brought forth good.

In their book, "How to Build a Lasting Marriage", Elmer and Ruth Towns offer some ways in which couples can pick up the pieces and move forward (page 136, 139):
Confess it- Seek God's forgiveness
Forsake it- Forgive each other
Leave it in the past- Forgive yourself

And some final thoughts (page 139, 140):
Both David and Bathsheba knew better.
Their sin wasn't just against their marriage partner- it was against God.
It's possible to do right, even after a bad beginning.
Outward circumstances are not enough to keep a person from giving into temptation.