Today’s post focuses on a well-known story involving a well-known Bible character, David. Without further ado, let’s get started.
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 11:1 NLT
Lesson #1: Do not forsake your responsibility.
Immediately, we are given some information that indicates a problem with David’s decision. He, as a king, was meant to be out fighting with his soldiers, yet, David chose to remain in the palace. He chose comfort over his calling. As a result, David eventually faces an opportunity to give in to temptation.
[2] Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. [3] He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”
2 Samuel 11:2-3 NLT
Lesson #2: Be cautious of new routines.
David’s routine of comfort led to his downfall, committing a moral failure in the sight of God. Common decency would have encouraged David to look away from the woman, out of respect for her privacy. However, temptation already entered his heart, as he inquired about her. Even after finding out her marital status, David remained enticed with her. This is what we can expect when temptations lead our behavior – a slippery slope of sin. David’s initial decision to remain in a place of comfort when he was assigned to a place of conflict (see Progression of a Peacemaker) led to him adopting a lazy routine and an indulgence of his flesh.
[4] Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. [5] Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”
2 Samuel 11:4-5 NLT
Lesson #3: Be accountable for your actions.
As can be expected, David’s actions lead to greater ramifications. Bathsheba’s pregnancy threatens to expose David’s contempt for Uriah, in taking his wife to bed. David is now faced with a decision to come clean regarding his actions or take matters into his own hands. Unfortunately, David chooses the latter and further destroys a family, all of which displeases God.
What we can learn from this portion of the story is that, when we are out of position, we increase the likelihood of our engagement in something that grieves the heart of God. We are then faced with the decision to repent or to continue in sin. Let us be those who rapidly choose repentance.
To David’s credit, he eventually makes this very choice once he is confronted by God through a prophet named Nathan (read 2 Samuel 12:1-25).
I’ll leave you with some reflection prompts to encourage you to examine your own life in light of today’s story:
- Have you ever been out of position? Explain.
- What did you do once you realized? How did the situation turn out?
- What did you learn about yourself as well as the character of God?
Until next time,
Be well.
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