How does a king treat the people (and animals) whom he beats in battle? With sympathy? With compassion?

David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. […] David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses. (2 Samuel 8:2, 4 NIV)

Oh well. That’s what happens in war. At least he doesn’t do this to his own loyal subjects. Or does he?

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw [Bathsheba] washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. […] And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. […] And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah [Bathsheba’s husband] And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. (2 Samuel 11:2, 4, 14, 15 KJV)

This is the greatest king the Israelis have had? He’s a mockery of a king. At least even the Lord is unhappy about this. He’s so unhappy that he kills David’s son. Not David, of course, but the innocent baby.

But David cries and fasts and ears a sackcloth and begs The Lord to spare his child. But He kills him anyway. And David pulls himself together. It turns out, this was an early version of Pascal’s wager.

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2 Samuel 12:22, 23 KJV)

Next: 2 Samuel 13-15