A Tragic Sin

Reflections on 2 Samuel 11:1-5
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So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
1 Corinthians 10:12

Few sins related in the Bible are as tragic as David's sin. David had made a name for himself as a warrior who trusted in the Lord and so defeated Israel's enemies. Rabbah, the capital of Ammon, was about to fall. Plunder from Aram, Moab, and Edom had been dedicated to God. More than that, he had shown zeal for God. He had brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem and established a just and righteous government. He was at the peak of his career. But at that very moment when David appeared to be standing firm, he fell. He acted like one of the kings of the nations. Samuel had warned that such kings would take the daughters of Israel to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers (1 Samuel 8:13), but David did much worse.

UNBRIDLED PASSION. From the rooftop of David's palace, David could see inside the walled, private residence of Uriah where Bathsheba was bathing. Instead of retiring quickly from the rooftop until the bath was over, he lingered to gaze at her beauty and then inquired about her. He foolishly allowed his physical desires to gain control of his thoughts and entice him to sin (James 1:14).

BROKEN LAWS. David's informant told him that the woman's name was Bathsheba, and that she was the wife of Uriah. This information should have served as a warning. She was a neighbor's wife. The Law was explicit: "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife" (Exodus 20:17). But David paid no heed. He sent messengers to get her, and he slept with her breaking a second command which said "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).

BETRAYED FRIENDSHIPS. David's deeds were treacherous. He betrayed Bathsheba's husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 23:39), who was one of his Thirty Mighty Men. Furthermore, he betrayed her father, Eliam, another of his trusted mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34). Finally, David betrayed Bathsheba's grandfather Ahithophel, who was one of David's trusted advisors (2 Samuel 15:12; 23:34). David's sin could not be excused or white-washed. He had betrayed three loyal and honored servants: one the husband, one the father, and one the grandfather of Bathsheba.

DAMNING EVIDENCE. If David thought he was too big to fail, or above the law and shame, his delusion did not last long. Bathsheba sent him a message: "I am pregnant." Soon Bathsheba's whole family would know she was pregnant: her husband, father, and grandfather. Because Uriah had gone to war against Rabbah, they all would suspect something was amiss. Furthermore, David knew that Bathsheba had not been pregnant when he slept with her because she had been purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness when he saw her. David could not escape the conclusion that he himself was the father of Bathsheba's child.