Beloved of the Lord

II Samuel 12:25 – “And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.'”

David had confessed and repented of his deplorable sin with Bathsheba. Their first child died, then Bathsheba bore a son that David named Solomon. The name Solomon means ‘peaceable.’ David certainly needed and wanted some peace after the turmoil his sin had caused. The Bible says of Solomon that “the LORD loved him,” (II Samuel 12:24), and He sent Nathan the prophet to give Solomon another name. The name the Lord gave him was Jedidiah, which means BELOVED OF THE LORD.

What a comforting thing this must have been to David and Bathsheba! He had been chastened for his sin, and David’s grief over his transgression is well known. What would God think of this new baby born to David and Bathsheba? Would the child be accepted? Would it be blessed? God loved Solomon, and wanted David to know that He loved the child. This was a message to David that God had accepted his repentance and forgiven him of his past. David would not have to continue to pay for his disobedience. God loved the child born to David and Bathsheba.

What an important lesson this is for us. God certainly does not approve of our sin, but He does extend forgiveness and mercy when we sincerely turn from our wrong. We can start over again. We do not have to live in a constant feeling of regret over past failures. God wants to restore fellowship with us, and He wants us to know that we are loved. Many of us have been through the experience of correcting a disobedient child, and after he has been disciplined, we have held him in our arms and assured him of our love. God does the same thing for us. He confirms His love to us. God loves us. How could we ever get over that wonderful fact? In spite of our failures and blunders, His love remains strong. Looking at this Scripture from the viewpoint of the child, we see another important fact worth our consideration. Solomon grew up knowing that God called him ‘Jedidiah,’ THE BELOVED OF THE LORD. Throughout his life, he would be reminded that God cared for him.