David’s “heart after God” has been tested in the last few chapters of 2 Samuel. His family is falling apart. He’s lost 2 sons, and his daughter’s been violated. The aftermath of his sin with Bathsheba is causing the people in his life to search for healthy ways to have conflict. And, in chapter 14, they all fail. What does it look like to engage in what many people think is a classic oxymoron - “Healthy Conflict”.

The story of David’s life is remarkable. He was a man after God’s own heart. But, after he succumbed to his sinful desires with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, his life took a dark, torrid turn. 2 Samuel 13 very much feels like the fruit of that moment. His firstborn son will do something unthinkable to his daughter, and it will set the course of the next several years of his life. Amnon’s Actions would change everything.

2 Samuel 11 was a tough chapter. The mighty King David fell, and he fell hard. As we study the life of this Biblical giant, we can be encouraged that though he got knocked out in Chapter 11, in Chapter 12, he will regain the title, "A Man After God's Own Heart". And, if what he did can be forgiven, then there's great hope for us all.

Watch this Youtube video of the events of February 11, 1990 to get the full effect of a champion falling facedown on the mat. https://youtu.be/Rv4ro4D16H0

Up to this point in the Biblical Narrative, Kind David has been invincible. He's held the heavyweight title: "Man After God's Own Heart". But, 2 Samuel 11 is the moment that King David will hit the mat... hard. What can we learn from his fall? How can his story bring us closer to God?