Leviticus 20:10 “If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the man and the woman who have committed adultery must be put to death.”
So why were David and Bathsheba not stoned for their adultery? In fact, this punishment was not even mentioned in the rebuke from God through Nathan the prophet. Of course, the child died and there were other terrible consequences that effected many people. Can we legitimately infer anything about why God didn’t have Nathan follow through with the original consequence? And more importantly, does anyone else see the grace of God working alongside the law (truth) of God?
Giving shout-outs for some specific insightful bloggers, but also invite any others who might have some thoughts to weigh in on this one:
Learning to Be Full of Grace and Truth
(And if you haven’t checked out these sites, I recommend you do!)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
INSPIRATION with an ATTITUDE 
Dawn,
I have just recently started following your blog, and I love it! You and I are so similar! I am also a Christian, I love dogs, and I’m learning to play the banjo! You have so many wonderful thoughts and you do inspire! I love hearing about what God has laid on your heart to write about. God definitely led me to your blog! I can’t wait to read more from you!
Zoe
P.S. Good question! Maybe David was spared stoning so that he could write the Psalms, including the one about repenting of your sin to God (Psalm 51). And you want to hear something neat? I just read Psalm 51 today for my devotional a couple hours ago. Isn’t it great how God works?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, Zoe! Terrific. Thank you so much for reading and being a part of the community! And major kudos on the banjo–be ever so patient with yourself!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, a jaded reply would be to observe that, being king, David was considered above the law. While there may be some truth in that, I do think your answer is the truer one, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, I actually hadn’t considered that one.
LikeLike
This is just my humble opinion, but what David received was much worse than a stoning. He lost two sons because of his one sin. I believe you are right in the grace aspect though. At the same time, I agree with Mitch. But, we must also remember that this sin was hidden from the rest of the world in the form of a series of lies.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow! I never thought of that. Ouch!
LikeLike
Hi Dawn!
I have some thought very briefly. First, they are not original to me, but what some reading has shown. But, they make sense. I think Mitch and Patrick both sort of touched in it very well.
Remember, the law governing stoning of adulterers was for the people, and administered by the people. Very important were some conditions found elsewhere in Leviticus. This is the fact that for this justice to be administered, the offense had to be supported by the witness of 2 or 3 more. Seen..observed…witnessed.
Who saw this other than God. Many may have suspected, but I doubt any had first hand proof of this offense. Simply, it may have not met proper conditions.
Why didn’t God execute them? Well, He is …Him. I think Dawn your point about grace is important, much in the same way Jesus showed that to the woman caught in adultery. Heck, if God had killed every adulterer in the congregation, a bunch would likely have been quite dead, much like they would today.
Thems my two cents.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Great insights! Hadn’t remembered the conditions. Thanks for taking the time!!
LikeLike
Like I said, they are not my insights. I read them somewhere..several times in fact.
LikeLiked by 1 person