Finished "2 Samuel"

More on the reign of David.

There are a lot of why questions for me in this book.

Why did David treat Saul with such respect and awe when he was so cruel to him? Was it because David knew Saul was not in his right mind?

The issue with Bathsheba and having her husband killed. What? Why would someone like David even think that would all work out ok?

And when their child died he was no longer in constant prayer. "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, that the child may live.' But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." 12:22-23

At first I figured this was the best way to react to the death of a child but then, doesn't that mean you don't believe that God could do anything? I'm not sure what to think here. Thinking about it, I wonder why God would punish the child and not the man who had sinned? But then, dying is not punishment but reward in Heaven with God. It only pains those that have to go on in this world without the one who died.

"The Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and cut off his head." But the king said, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, 'Curse David,' then who shall say, 'Why have you done so?'" 16:9-10

I was just reading the other day about the truth and how it stands up to tests. We don't need to suppress anyone's speech or thoughts because the truth will be told. If it is false, speaking it and arguing it will test it's validity and it will fail. If it is true, speaking and arguing it will give us more knowledge to live on. It's the same with the Lord's Word.

At the end of the chapter, David numbers his people and it's considered wrong? I've seen that before. Why is it such a big deal to take a census?

And my very favorite in this chapter is this.

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;
My savior, You save me from violence."
22:2-3