Remorse: David
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Remorse is a profound feeling of regret and sorrow for one's actions, often accompanied by a desire for repentance and reconciliation. In the biblical narrative, King David is a prominent figure who exemplifies the experience of remorse, particularly in relation to his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent events.

David's Sin and Remorse

The account of David's sin with Bathsheba is found in 2 Samuel 11-12. David, the king of Israel, committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, and subsequently orchestrated Uriah's death to cover up the resulting pregnancy. This series of actions displeased the LORD, and He sent the prophet Nathan to confront David.

Nathan's parable of the rich man and the poor man's lamb (2 Samuel 12:1-4) served as a divine indictment of David's actions. Upon realizing the gravity of his sin, David was struck with deep remorse. In 2 Samuel 12:13, David confesses, "I have sinned against the LORD." This acknowledgment of sin marks the beginning of David's journey of repentance.

Psalm 51: A Penitent Heart

David's remorse is poignantly expressed in Psalm 51, a psalm of repentance traditionally attributed to him following his confrontation with Nathan. In this psalm, David pleads for God's mercy and forgiveness, recognizing his transgressions and the need for a cleansed heart. He writes, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). This plea reflects David's deep desire for spiritual renewal and restoration.

David's remorse is characterized by a sincere acknowledgment of his sin and a heartfelt appeal for God's grace. He understands that true repentance involves more than mere regret; it requires a transformation of the heart and a commitment to turn away from sin.

Consequences and Restoration

Despite David's genuine remorse and repentance, the consequences of his actions were severe. Nathan prophesied that the sword would never depart from David's house (2 Samuel 12:10), and the child born to David and Bathsheba died (2 Samuel 12:14-18). These events underscore the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine justice.

However, David's account also highlights the possibility of restoration. After the death of the child, David comforted Bathsheba, and she bore Solomon, who would become a significant figure in Israel's history (2 Samuel 12:24). David's life, though marred by sin, continued to be used by God for His purposes, demonstrating the power of divine grace and forgiveness.

Legacy of Remorse

David's experience of remorse serves as a powerful example of the biblical principle that God desires a contrite heart. In Psalm 51:17, David declares, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" . This verse encapsulates the essence of true remorse—a humble and repentant spirit that seeks reconciliation with God.

David's life, with its moments of failure and redemption, offers a profound lesson on the nature of remorse and the hope of forgiveness. His account encourages believers to approach God with honesty and humility, trusting in His mercy and the transformative power of repentance.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 51:1
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Love and Remorse
... Many a man says, 'I have played the fool,' and yet goes on playing it again when
the paroxysm of remorse has stormed itself out. David's answer was by no means ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love and remorse.htm

David and Nathan
... men into penitence, you may frighten them into remorse; and the remorse may or ... David
had very likely so sophisticated his conscience that, though he had been ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david and nathan.htm

David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
... A person of David's character, especially circumstanced as he was at that time ... not
think on his ways"on his then late transgressions, but remorse must have ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon x davids sin in.htm

The Heart of Man and the Heart of God
... As often as such terrible experiences as these visit you,"just remember poor
sin-pursued David, and pour out all the undying remorse of your heart again and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/iii the heart of man.htm

The Sins of the Men of Old Time, which Incurred the Displeasure of ...
... David, however, was struck with remorse on hearing this, and exclaimed, "I have
sinned against the Lord;" and he sung a penitential psalm, waiting for the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviithe sins of the.htm

The History of the Psalter
... almost every phase of religious feeling: penitence, doubt, remorse, confession,
fear ... Although certain subsequent psalms are ascribed to David, as, for example ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/xii the history of the.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... LOVE FOR HATE, THE TRUE QUID PRO QUO. LOVE AND REMORSE. WHAT DOEST THOU HERE? ... THE
PROMISED KING AND TEMPLE-BUILDER. DAVID'S GRATITUDE. DAVID AND JONATHAN'S SON. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/

True Repentance
... but all the misery which it gives to a man is only useless remorse, unless he ... But
David, and Isaiah after him, and Ezekiel after him, found out that THAT was ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xii true repentance.htm

Introduction.
... the royal authority, the wars, the triumphs, the sin, the remorse, which are ... gain
fresh insight into the force and definiteness of many of David's words, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/i introduction.htm

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... Then, too, he regards his act of murder"permitting David to die of hunger ... destruction
and ruin as divine service, and know no fear nor remorse of conscience. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about toxic relationships? | GotQuestions.org

How to repent'what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about dealing with regrets? | GotQuestions.org

Remorse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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