This was the same man who showed great kindness to Mephibosheth. David, though a man after God’s own heart, was not perfect. God does not gloss over the sins of David. I am frightened at what David did, frightened because NONE of us are immune to the attacks of sin. I would like to bypass this dark moment, but we dare not! This was recorded for our learning.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because His compassion’s fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23).

1 – David’s sins

Sin is something like putting on weight. Most people don’t worry about it until it starts making them look bad.

• Neglect of his business (Verse 1). “He tarried at Jerusalem”. If he had gone to work none of this would have happened! The nations had an open season on each other – every spring. At a certain time of year you could shoot them, at other times you could not. This approach to war is more civilised than you think. In the two World Wars the greatest suffering was caused by the winter weather rather than the enemy – but they attempted to carry on fighting! David is now about 50 years old. David should have gone to war with his men. If he had none of this would have happened.
• Love of ease (Verse 2). He got up from his bed in the evening. There is a time for physical rest and recreation, but even in the midst of that we must be fighting the Lord’s battles. David was relaxing his spiritual life when he should have been on the alert. You dare not lay aside your armour or drop your sword at any time. There is no place of rest from this warfare until we stand in the presence of the Lord. See 2 Timothy 2:22. Nehemiah had the workers on the wall working with a sword on and sleeping with a sword ready to do battle.
• Wandering eyes (Verse 3). He saw Bathsheba bathing and she was very beautiful. Some things we cannot avoid seeing once, but we not look at them twice! See Joshua 7 – Achan and garment and gold – saw – wanted – coveted – took – hid them. He had not (like Job) made a covenant with his eyes. Once you begin to do evil it is very difficult to stop.
• Despised God and his commandments (Verse 9-10). David broke THREE of the Ten Commandments! This was David’s greatest sin. See 1 Kings 15:5.

1. You shall not covet your … neighbour’s wife (saw – wanted – coveted).
2. You shall not commit adultery (took). David already had 7-11 wives! He wanted Uriah’s “lamb”. Uriah was one of David’s captains in the army.
3. You shall not (premeditated) murder (hid). When Uriah would not lay with his wife it was clear that David’s sin would be found out.

• Lived the life of a hypocrite for at least a year.

2 – David chastened of God

These sins greatly displeased the Lord. Will David get away with it? Will God show favouritism? Secret sin is open scandal in Heaven! Yet it is perhaps a year later before God acts. God can forgive any trespass. He can overlook none

• Nathan the prophet rebukes David (12:7) – “Thou art the man!” David’s judgment of death for the men in the parable was greater than the law required. To restore fourfold was in accordance with the law. Nathan’s bold message reminded David of God’s tender mercy, love, abundance of gifts and honour, but also warned that he had sowed sin and he would reap a harvest of sorrow.
• Repentance was then followed by forgiveness, cleansing, restoration and fellowship (Psalm 51). See also 1 John 1:9. This was immediate and was the grace of God.
• Suffering the punishment for sin – The young child born of David and Bathsheba dies. But God later gives them a second son – His name ….SOLOMON!

3 – David’s sad reaping

Anytime you live it up, you run the risk of having to live it down! Mocking God is life’s great impossibility. God is not mocked. The mockery comes back on top of the man who makes it, like the harvest of forgotten seeds.

• His loving daughter was raped by her step-brother Ammon (13:1-22).
• Ammon his son is slain for his wickedness (13:23-33). David is heartbroken.
• Absalom’s rebellion again broke David’s heart (15:1-37). His wives were violated and he was driven from his home by his own rebellious son.
• At the death of Absalom, his beloved son, his heart was torn again; he wept aloud and cried (18:5-7; 29:33).
• Rebellion led by Sheba (20:1-22).
• Grieved God by numbering Israel (24:1-25). This was followed by dreadful pestilence.

4 – Jesus upon David’s throne

Despite the dim and sad picture presented, God will never fail to carry out his plan.

• Psalm 132:11 – “The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will not turn from it; of the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne”.
• Isaiah 9:6-7 – “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever”.
• Luke 1:26-33 – “And behold, thou (Mary) shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.
• See also Luke 1:68-75, Acts 2:22-35 & Revelation 3:7-13 (See Isaiah 22:22-24).

Categories: 2 Samuel