The sin of King David

The sin of King David

Goshen Bible Study

Led by brother Daniel

Our study was focused on 2 Samuel 11, on the notorious incident where King David fell into sin. In a time where kings normally go off to war, King David had stayed back, and in his leisure happened to notice a very beautiful woman bathing. Desiring her, he proceeded to inquire about her and then sent for her although he knew she belonged to another man’s wife. Her name was Bathsheba, and her husband Uriah the Hittite was a valiant warrior, one of the mighty Thirty who served David. Soon Bathsheba became pregnant, and King David tried to cover up his sin by arranging for Uriah to come back from battle and sleep with his wife. However, despite David’s desperate efforts, Uriah refused, as he was convicted he should not have this pleasure while his commander and fellow soldiers were at war. Finally, David plotted with Joab the army commander to have Uriah killed by the enemy by placing him where the fighting was fiercest and withdrawing suddenly. And after Uriah died, King David sent for Bathsheba and took her as his own wife. Even after this, David did not repent until the prophet Nathan came and rebuked him through a carefully constructed parable. And although David was forgiven, there were terrible lasting consequences of his sin on his household.

Lessons from our study

·      There is an order in which sin works as described in James 1:14-15 “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Normally, we are not tempted by a great sin straight away, but it starts with small steps, leading us deeper and deeper into a whole sea of sin. Therefore we must always keep watch

·      As the saying goes “idle hands are a devil’s workshop”. In a time when kings go off to war, King David wasn’t doing anything constructive, and this led to temptation. Even in our leisure, it is important to be constructive and positive in what we do, and we should not slack off from our work and responsibilities.

·      Even the mighty can fall. Although King David was so great and so close to God, even called a man after God’s own heart, he fell. This is a warning to us that all of us can fall, so we need to be humble and beware of pride always.

·      The battle is in the mind. The seed for King David’s sin was sown when he first saw Bathsheba and continued to look at her, probably lustfully. He must have continued to let thoughts about her linger in his mind, and this led to him inquiring about her and then sending for her. It is in the mind that we have to arrest unhealthy thoughts or images, but instead focus on godly, holy, good things.

·      Sin has tragic consequences on others. King David’s first son with Bathsheba died as a result of the sin. Later, Nathan’s prophecy that the sword would never leave his house came true. David’s son Absalom killed his brother Amnon and rebelled against his father before finally being killed himself by Joab. Later, King Solomon, the son who succeeded King David ordered the execution of his brother Adonijah.

·      God forgives us when we turn back, no matter how heinous our sin. Although King David’s sin was so terrible - adultery, betrayal and murder, God forgave him when he repented. In the end, it is not for us to judge one another, or even ourselves, but to come back to God humbly, and receive His grace and forgiveness through Christ Jesus.