David’s Sin With Bathsheba

II Samuel 11:1–17
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

After restoring Israel to peace and military power, David’s personal life becomes entangled in sin. After the first step he allows himself to fall deeper and deeper into sin. The progression was:

1. David abandoned his purpose by staying home from war (v.1).

2. He focused on his own desires (vv. 2-3).

3. When temptation came he yielded instead of turning away from it (vv. 4-5).

4. He sinned deliberately (v. 4).

5. He tried to cover up his sin by deceiving others (vv. 6-15).

6. He committed murder to continue the coverup (vv. 16-17).

The sin of David and Bathsheba (chaps. 11-12) changes the tenor of the story from David’s triumphs to his troubles. David sent Joab and his soldiers to battle but he stayed behind. The author implied that David should have been at war, rather than remaining behind (v. 1). When David looked from the roof of his palace he saw a beautiful woman bathing and he was filled with lust (vv. 2-5). He should have left the roof and fled the temptation but instead he pursued the temptation by inquiring about Bathsheba and then spending the night with her.

When Bathsheba learned of her pregnancy, David attempted to cover up his sin. He sent for her husband, Uriah the Hittite, who was in the field of battle (vv. 6-13). Uriah refused to go home to his wife, even at David’s insistence. Uriah did not want to enjoy his wife and his home when the armies of God were on the battlefield. David was driven by Uriah’s obstinate refusal to visit his wife to a desperate scheme. He drafted orders for Joab to assign Uriah to the front line where the battle was most fierce. Then he was to order the supporting troops to withdraw leaving Uriah to be struck down and killed by the Ammonites. (vv. 14-17).

Application

To flee temptation, I must: (1) Ask God in prayer to help me stay away from people, and places that tempt me. (2) Memorize and meditate on portions of Scripture that will combat my specific weakness. (3) Keep in the Word of God on a daily basis and apply the things I’m learning.