he's david the king, not david the letterman

We must correct and chasten one another when it is needed. We must not let our love for brothers or sisters cool when they sin; but neither must we speak as though all is well when it is not. True love shows itself not only by smiling at one another and speaking pleasantly. Real love desires the eternal welfare of our brothers, and it may become necessary at times to speak stern, unpleasant truths. I am not grateful to the brother who would see me go astray without trying to rescue me.
(J.N. Kildahl, 1857-1920)

in 2samuel12.1-13, king david is confronted by his spiritual guide/ life coach because it is obvious that the spring of his conscience has become stretched to the point where it no longer reels him back in. one whom both he and God have called and empowered to speak into his life does so and the king is reminded that everyone answers to someone, that he has abused his calling and his office, and in doing so has broken something that God has been using to move his larger plan for the redemption of the whole world forward. there needs to be some repentance in here if the king is ever going to once again be the giant killer- the 'man after God's own heart'

the fact that God actually accepts this repentance and resumes business, not as if it has never happened, but from where we are now- indeed, that God seems to be okay with having his messianic promise ultimately realized generations later in Jesus through this union that has begun so badly, serves to remind us all that God is especially good at redeeming everyday fallenness in order to further God's greater purposes.

grace makes beauty out of ugly things
(bono)

what about can draw our focus away from the role we are to play in God’s kingdom coming? what manner of calamity has this power in life?

relationships;
work stress;
personal baggage and burden;
emotional/physical health and wellness;
temptation…

in king david's case, it happens to be the sight of his neighbour's wife out bathing... a sight that is not only not his to drink in for obvious reasons, but which blows the whistle on the fact that he is already slipping off of his game a little. after all, the moment (chronicled in 2samuel11.1-2) takes place 'in the spring, at the time when kings go off to war...' and, whereas there is still kingly work to be done, he chooses to delegate, only to find himself walking around in the middle of the night looking for something to do. opportunity and motive. he's guilty of a number of things before he ever gives the order to have his neighbour placed on the front lines (a placement not in keeping with the man's rank... he does have a house in the same neighbourhood as the king) to be killed by the enemy.

well, whatever the case, king david confesses and repents when his soul friend confronts him with the truth- and he doesn't really have to. it is a choice he makes. he is david the king, not david letterman, and could have this holy man executed for treason and no one would be able to voice any question, lest they be put to death as well.

however, the king recognizes that one sin has already led to another and chooses to break the cycle before it escalates further. confession and repentence are the first steps on the restoration road.