Part IV: How Do I Use People?

Text: 2 Samuel 11:5-13 (summarized)
The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant."

So David tries to cover his sin by bringing home her husband, Uriah, from the battle, to account for her pregnancy. But fails.

Text: 2 Samuel 11:14-27 (summarized)
David sends Uriah back to the battle, ordering Joab to put Uriah on the frontline where the fighting is fiercest. So Joab did, and reported back to David that “your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.”

After Uriah's widow completed the time of mourning, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.

First Bathsheba. Then Uriah. Joab, too.

People to use. To manipulate. It doesn’t stop with them, either. Other men in his army are swept up as victims in the web David is weaving. Joab has to send them with Uriah to complete the charade. Just how many families were there now who were fatherless? David didn’t account for them initially. But it doesn’t bother him. They are acceptable losses. Collateral damage.

Just people to be used.

“The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who: (a) can't do him any good, and (b) who can't fight back.” Abigail Van Buren

“The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Galatians 5:14, Leviticus 19:18

“For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” 1 John 4:20

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

~ How do I treat people in my life who are of “no use” to me? How do I need to improve my relationships? ~

--from Wednesday's class, Oct. 17