Mercy Toward Transgressors

8, 9. What did the mercy shown to David after his sin with Bath-sheba involve?

⁸ Consider what happened after Nathan the prophet confronted King David of ancient Israel about David’s adulterous relationship with Bath-sheba. The repentant David prayed: “Show me favor, O God, according to your loving-kindness. According to the abundance of your mercies wipe out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash me from my error, and cleanse me even from my sin. For my transgressions I myself know, and my sin is in front of me constantly. Against you, you alone, I have sinned, and what is bad in your eyes I have done.”​—Psalm 51:1-4.

⁹ David was cut to the heart. Jehovah pardoned his sin and exercised restraint in administering judgment upon him and Bath-sheba. According to the Mosaic Law, both David and Bath-sheba should have been put to death. (Deuteronomy 22:22) While they did not escape all the consequences of their sin, their lives were spared. (2 Samuel 12:13) God’s exercise of mercy entails the pardoning of error. However, he does not hold back from administering appropriate punishment.

11. How did Jehovah show due regard for justice in dealing with David for his sin with Bath-sheba?

¹¹ In the case of David and Bath-sheba, before the judgment of the death penalty could be softened, there had to be a pardoning of their sin. The Israelite judges were not authorized to do this. If they had been allowed to handle the case, they would have had no alternative but to pronounce the sentence of death. This is what the Law required. Out of regard for his covenant with David, however, Jehovah wanted to see if there was a basis for forgiving David’s sin. (2 Samuel 7:12-16) Hence, Jehovah God, “the Judge of all the earth,” who is “an examiner of the heart,” chose to handle the matter himself. (Genesis 18:25; 1 Chronicles 29:17) God could accurately read David’s heart, evaluate the genuineness of his repentance, and grant forgiveness.