2 Samuel 11
The mighty Niagara River plummets some 180 feet at the American and Horseshoe Falls. Before the falls, there are violent, turbulent rapids. Farther upstream, however, where the river’s current flows more gently, boats are able to navigate. Just before the Welland River empties into the Niagara, a pedestrian walkway spans the river. Posted on this bridge’s pylons is a warning sign for all boaters: “Do you have an anchor?” followed by, “Do you know how to use it?”
When someone mentions king David, most people think of either his victory over Goliath or his defeat against lust in the story of Bathsheba. David is well known for his military victories because as we saw in chapter 8 “And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.” verse 14
Today we are going to talk about David’s sin with Bathsheba.
Let’s take a moment to ask God to teach us from His word this morning and to give us humility and grace as we reflect on David’s sin as well as our own.
I John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
James 1:14-15 “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
David’s desire was for women. He had several wives already which we know from reading that Israel’s kings were not to acquire many wives lest his heart turn away.
Let’s talk about what David should have done opposed to what he actually did.
David should have been at war. This was the time that kings go out to battle. David did not David should have looked away. Seeing a beautiful woman is not a sin. Sending for her after finding out that she was married to one of your soldiers is a sin. Having sexual relations with a woman that is not your wife is sin. David should not have slept with Bathsheba. Both David and Bathsheba were married. Adultery is one of the 10 commandments as well as coveting another man’s wife. David should have repented.
This story is a sobering reminder that even God’s chosen men are susceptible to sin. No one is immune to sin – even a man after God’s own heart. It’s devastating when we read about ministers having moral failures.
Every one of us has a sin problem. The key is identifying it and confessing it.
After Bathsheba returned to her house, David likely thought his sin would go unnoticed. But that wasn’t the case. After she conceived, she sent word to David telling him that she was pregnant.
So David devised a plan of deceit.
2 Samuel 11:6-13
David’s Deceit
After hearing that Bathsheba is pregnant David devises a plan to have her husband come home from war and sleep with his wife. Then, when she starts getting the baby bump in a few months no one will suspect David had had an affair with her.
So David sends for Uriah and has him brought to the castle. David starts off with small talk before getting to his real intention. He asked how Joab was and the people and war.
Wash your feet – sleep with your wife Then David told Uriah to go home and wash his feet. David hoped that Uriah would go home, spend the night with his wife and have relations with her.
He even sent a gift of food with Uriah hoping to sweeten the pot. But Uriah didn’t go. He slept at the door of the king’s house.
When David heard that Uriah didn’t go home he asked him why he didn’t go home. Aren’t you tired? – sleep with your wife Uriah’s response showed his integrity. He reminded David that the ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents and Joab and the rest of the soldiers are sleeping in the field. He is by no means going to sleep with his wife in his own house.
David has one additional idea to get Uriah to sleep with his wife. Drink too much wine – sleep with your wife Even in an intoxicated state Uriah had enough wherewithal not to go sleep with his wife.
2 Samuel 11:14-27
David Deadly Plan
Since Uriah refused to sleep with his wife there would eventually be no denying the fact that Bathsheba had slept with another man.
David would not allow this to happen. He devised another plan.
Desire and Deceit have escalated to murder.
Put Uriah in the front and then pull back
David wrote a letter to Joab telling him to put Uriah in the most dangerous position then pull the troops back so he is killed in action.
Isn’t it ironic that Uriah carried the letter that detailed his own death? Likely the letter was sealed with the king’s ring pressed into the wax that held it shut. If Uriah had tampered with it Joab would have known.
Joab Carries out David’s Murderous Plot
Joab did exactly what David asked him to do and Uriah was killed in battle along with a few other soldiers.
When he sent the messenger to tell the king what had happened he prepared a speech in case David was angry. But the key phrase he told the messenger to speak was Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
David was not angry, in fact he was pleased. Notice the disingenuous words that David sent back with the messenger. The sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.
When Bathsheba hears of the death of her husband she mourns for him.
After the time of mourning David sent for her and he married her and they have a baby boy.
The final phrase of the last verse of the chapter sums it up nicely – the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
God is grieved by our sin. He wants us to obey Him and have abundant life. When we sin we must recognize it and repent of it.
APPLICATION
Put Barriers in place to help guard against sin
You know your weaknesses. If you struggle with alcohol addiction you would want to stay away from places that serve alcohol. Don’t put yourself in a situation that may lead you to sin.
If you struggle with lust you can put blockers on your devices that track inappropriate websites or pages or channels. If you block them then you won’t be able to access them in your moment of weakness.
Have Someone we are Accountable to
Tell someone else what your struggle is and have them ask you about it when you meet regularly. Commit to being honest with them and yourself about how you are doing with your sin. Be comfortable with them speaking the truth to you in love.
Repent of Sin
The Bible tells us that if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse our unrighteousness. Next week we will see how David deals with his sin.