In our last devotional we noted that David, now a king, should have been leading his armies in combat. However, he chose to remain behind in Jerusalem (2 Sam 11:1). As a result, David saw a young woman who was bathing: “It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.” (11:2). This is the point at which David needed to make a decision about his next step.
Options: First, stop looking and reorient himself to more introspective and redemptive thoughts. Second, stop looking and avail himself to one of his many wives. Let his own wife minister to him with intimacy and delight. Third, repent. Go to the Lord and confess that he’s sinned and never wants to go back to that behavior. Fourth, do all of the above. A Grand Slam. Fifth, choose the excitement and interaction with this married woman. After all, she was a 10!
He chooses #5 – short term gratification instead of godly redemptive behavior. What will happen?
“…be sure your sin will find you out.” (Num. 32:23).
The adventure is so beguiling that David convinces himself he can navigate the fallout. Why does sex make men do foolish things that hurt them and their spouses? Aristotle said: “In the brain of the wisest of men always resides the corner of a fool.”
David still explored the possibilities: “And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?'” (2 Sam. 11:3). Interesting. Later we find out her grandfather is Ahithophel: “Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.” (2 Sam. 16:23). Ahithophel was one of the wise men in David’s Cabinet. Eliam was Ahithophel’s son one of David’s mighty men – a career soldier. These men knew how to hold a grudge, and they were men you did not want to cross, and David was targeting their daughter/granddaughter.
Later, Absalom rebelled against David and had a coup: “Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.'” (2 Sam. 16:21). Ahithophel’s advice was to publicly humiliate David. Ahithophel had a long memory and did not forget what David did to his granddaughter and her husband, Uriah. This humiliation was payback.
All kinds of bells and whistles should be going off in David’s mind when he looks at Bathsheba. What is going to rule his heart? Godly wisdom or sensual excitement?
“So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house.” (2 Sam. 11:4). David pulls a Harvey Weinstein on Bathsheba.
Consequences? “‘And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, ‘I am pregnant.'” (11:5). Oh, oh. David needs an immediate response. Uriah is off at David’s war, serving nobly. Was he going to own the sexual exploitation of one of his soldier’s wife?
David sends off a military memo, asking for Uriah to be sent to him and report the combat situation (11:6). He returns and briefs David on the military affairs, unsuspecting of the king’s betrayal with his wife. David instructs him to go home, get some rest. David thought he managed the problem. But Uriah, an honorable man, does not go home and see Bathsheba because his brothers-in-arms can’t have the same privilege. David’s plan blows up.
David writes a letter to Uriah’s commander ordering that Uriah be into battle then abandoned immediately to be killed. Uriah carries his own death sentence back to the battlefield, unaware that David has just plotted his death! (11:14-16). All this because David did not control himself.
“…be sure your sin will find you out.” (Num. 32:23).
Uriah is killed (2 Sam 11:21-25). The conspiracy to commit murder was successful. David hides the truth – he thought. David let’s Bathsheba mourn, and after an appropriate time, then takes her as his wife (11:27).
“But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.” (11:27). The word “displeased” in our culture sounds like “mildly upset”. The Hebrew word means to quiver or shake. The Lord trembled. This is not a word for anger; God was so hurt that he shook! David’s behavior was so reprehensible that the Lord was deeply saddened. Don’t ever think that the Lord is granite hard, unaffected by our behavior or thoughts. David’s failure to curb his sexual nature worked itself out and blew-up many people’s lives – including the Lord’s. Remember, God is training David to be a godly king so that the people will have the hope of spiritual life. David was to lead people to the Lord – not away from Him!
The Lord doesn’t waste any time. Sin is evil, and the Lord will deal with it. He doesn’t excuse it, especially for a king. The next verse: “And the LORD sent Nathan to David.” (2 Sam. 12:1). You can run and you can’t hide. God will run you down. David finds this out: “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me…” (Ps. 32:3, 4).
Take care of your sin immediately. You’ll wilt before the Lord does.
Bathsheba’s grandfather, Ahithophel, went after David with revenge and retribution. The Lord went after David for redemption and restoration. You’ll like the Lord’s way a lot better. If you do a moral face plant, seek restoration.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9)
