2 Samuel 12:28
“Now, therefore, assemble the rest of the troops, lay siege to the city, and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city, and it will be named after me.”
Joab is David's general. He has the enemy in position to finish the conquest. He tells David to come out and finish the task. Whoever does this gets the fame of the victory. Joab is acquiescing to the king. It's what he should do.
David and Joab were involved in sinful and shady dealings with Uriah. David eventually ordered him killed in battle. It was all covered up, except through Nathan the prophet, they've been discovered.
Joab could have some blackmail material on David. He doesn't use that, but is acting honorably. I'm not sure if there is awkwardness between them. Probably some. But Joab does the right thing by letting the king take the city.
When we sin, damage happens in many areas of our lives. Sometimes we have to deal with them, other times it's not as messy. As believers, if we confess our sin and repent, God helps with this. I believe today's passage is an example of that. Joab could have captured the city and taken the glory. He didn't. We can ascribe that as a victory for God.
We will sin and make mistakes. We will have to pay the consequences. I Peter 4:15 says, "For let not any of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a troublesome meddler".
How do we make it right when we sin? I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Sometimes we confess and move on. Other times there's clean up required. There's a mess. We may need to go to others and apologize.
After confessing we move on and trust that God will use that in our lives. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God works together all things for good to those loving God, to those being called according to His purpose." This is simply amazing. God can take the mess we made and work it for the good. He is all powerful and able.
David's sin is behind him. Joab is doing as he should. David gets this blessing of capturing the city. These are the two players who had Uriah killed. Now they are back doing as they should.
Thank You, God, for Your great mercy. You take our stumbling blocks and make them stepping stones. Thank You for Your great power that can do this.