Matt. 18:12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
2Sam. 11:4 David sent messengers to fetch her; she came to him and he lay with her—she had just purified herself after her period—and she went back home.
2Sam. 11:5 The woman conceived, and she sent word to David, “I am pregnant.”
2Sam. 12:3 …but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him.
God told Samuel way back to tell Israel they don’t want a king, and why they shouldn’t. God conceded to their wishes, but as we have seen, asks that, in order to be a king after His own heart, he must rule as a shepherd. What happens when the king forgets he is a shepherd? We look at the most glaring incident of David’s reign, and its horrifying results, but we also must discuss the larger issue of the Bible and women. Then appeal please, Lord, to our Good Shepherd for forgiveness, love, & grace!..