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April 25, 2023
David, a Man who Lusted, Lied, and Murdered
Beloved one, we know David was a man after God’s own heart, but he made a big mistake. He lusted after another man’s wife. (1 Samuel 13:14) The decision to take what he wanted caused him to spiral in turn he made poor decisions, he lied, and committed murder. The Word of God instructs us not to covet. “You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17)
David clearly struggled with lust as he watched a beautiful woman (Bathsheba) bathing from his rooftop. David’s men were in battle against the Ammonites. Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, is in battle. He was part of David’s elite fighting forces. Should David have been fighting with his men? Maybe. If he was battling, we know he would not have been checking out Bathsheba on the rooftop bathing.
David was very aware that Bathsheba was the wife of one of his soldiers. That did not stop him from summoning her to come. After their encounter, Bathsheba discovers she is pregnant. (2 Samuel 11:2-5) With her husband away fighting, David knows he has a big problem. His solution to this situation was to bring Uriah home and allow him to lie with his wife so that when she gave birth, he would think the child was his. There was just one big problem with that, Uriah was dedicated to his army. He didn’t go home, instead, he slept outside the door of King David’s house. (2 Samuel 11:9-13)
Did David come clean with the truth? No! He concocted another scheme that would cover up his sin. He sent Uriah to the front line, where the most brutal fighting occurs to ensure his death. (2 Samuel 11:14-24) When Bathsheba completes mourning for her husband, Uriah for seven days, (2 Samuel 11:26-27) then David brings her to his house to be his wife. She bore him a son. (2 Samuel 11:27) Of course, God sees all and is displeased with all David had done. With this one act, David had broken at least four of the Ten Commandments: murder, adultery, lying, and coveting. Nathan the prophet, informed David his actions would not go without consequences. His house would be plagued with violence, and the child Bathsheba delivered died.
While their marriage did not start out under the best circumstances, the two of them went on to have another son Solomon. David wrote (Psalms 51) a picture of David’s repentance. Repentance is the key to learning here. And the apparent sin of taking someone else’s wife. True repentance for your sin when you blow it is so vital. Even though David sinned, he was quick to repent and quick to obey God. When you sin, how quick are you to repent?
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