(a) Narrate the story of the death of the first child born to David by...

Explanation

a.(1) After Nathan had predicted the death of the child born to David by Uriah's wife/Bathseba, the child was stricken with a grievous illness.

(2) David fasted/prayed fervently for the child's recovery.

(3) He rejected all efforts to raise his morale/cheer him.

(4) On the seventh day, the child died, elders wondered how David would bear the sad news.

(5) He wondered why his servants were whispering among themselves.

(6) David asked them if the child had died and they confirmed it.

(7) So, he changed his clothes, went into the house of the Lord and worshipped.

(8) He returned to his house and ate food.

(9) His servants asked him why he had changed so drastically since the child died.

(10) He fasted when the child was alive thinking that he would live.

(11) Now that he was dead, David saw no need for mourning.

(12) David said he could not bring the child back to life. Rather, he would eventually join him.

(b) Lessons:

(i) God punishes sinners.

(ii) David's sin was very abhorrent (murder of the innocent and adultery, with underlying sin of greed).

(iii) David's greed earned him God's condemnation (Nathan's message).

(iv) Consequences included death of the child.

(v) We should, however, not mourn the dead as people without faith.

(vi) Need for repentance for sin.

(vii) Human actions, good or bad, attract consequences.