II Samuel 14-16

“But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast” (14:14).  As Nathan had prophesied, David’s household disintegrated into rivalry and trouble (ch 13).  David’s sons committed rape and murder, and David himself was partly to blame due to passive neglect; things would get worse (II Sam 16:21) before they got better.  However, as the wise woman of Tekoa declared, despite human sin, God’s desire was mercy and peace (ch 14).  

The story of God remaining active in Israel’s sinful, troubled history is the big picture of grace – the same grace poured out in Jesus, who loved us while we were still sinners.