2 Samuel

2 Samuel 11:1-5

David had sent Joab out to destroy the sons of Ammon (chapter 10) who had just tried to help the Arameans.  Abishai had defeated them in the open country but now Joab was going to their capital city called Rabbah.  Why did David stay behind?  This wasn't normal for David.  The life of a warrior is a young man's game.  David was now king and older; and while it may not have been wise to lead troops to battle, it was wise to be a leader.

We have to wonder, had David had his eye on Bathsheba for some time?  Bathsheba's father was one of David's original mighty men.  It's not likely that he wandered out on the roof one day and saw her, he had known her or at least known of her.  Her grandfather, Ahithophel, was one of David's counselors who later formed allegiance with Absalom.  David's sin with Bathsheba may have led to Ahighophel's betrayal. 

What was Bathsheba's part in all of this?  We don't really know.  Did she put her self on display for the king?  Was this a game they played: dabbling, flirting with sin.  As the saying goes, it takes two to tango.  The responsibility of wisdom and prudence was certainly upon King David, but Bathsheba was far from innocent. 

From his roof, David saw, and he kept on looking.  He could have shut down the temptation toward lust at that moment, but he didn't.  This temptation came through his eyes; it was pleasing to him.  He found it difficult and maybe even impossible to turn away.  David then acted upon what he saw, sending for her.  She was brought to him and slept with her.  The uncleanness spoken of in verse 4 is menstruation.  This shows she wasn't pregnant before she slept with David.  They were both guilty of adultery and this sin was punishable by death. 

David was not walking by the spirit, but by the flesh.  He allowed it to rule him.  It came without trying; when he was weak.  It was idle time that should not have been idle.  It was a time provided for invitation to sin and the enemy provides an invitation.  It brief moment of lust and passion yielded pain and grief for the remainder of David's life. 

Proverbs 6:2

2 Samuel 11:6-11

There doesn't seem to be any hesitation on David's part.  He was just going to fix this by covering his sin; it was just a little deception.  If he could get Uriah to sleep with his wife then all would be well.  But Uriah showed himself more noble and honorable than the king.  Uriah didn't feel it was right to enjoy these things while the battle raged and the ark and Israel dwelled in tents.  Yet, David had done these very things, even with this man's wife.  How this must have heaped guilt on David.  Yet he was blinded by his sin.  

Uriah had to have known something was up.  Why would David call him from the battlefield to ask him how Joab and the rest of the troops were doing at war.  When David told him to go home and wash his feet he was saying to go sleep with your wife.  Washing the feet was done before bed.  The present was something to help them enjoy the evening.  Wouldn't this strike Uriah as odd?  Uriah was just too honorable; probably exactly what David would expect any other time. 

2 Samuel 11:12-17

David deception goes so far as trying again, this time by getting Uriah drunk.  But that too failed.  What was David to do?  His guilt was getting heavy, this sin ever before him, something had to be done.  David had deceived himself; believing he was justified in what he was doing.  In premeditation, he wrote a note to Joab to allow Uriah to be killed in battle.  David seny Uriah back and had him carry his own death warrant to Joab.  Joab was an obedient servant, even though this was contray to a military leader to sacrifice his men.  I wonder if Joab found this offensive, particularly when he learned why Uriah had to die. 

2 Samuel 11:18-27

Instead of having a repentant heart and confessing David delved deeper.  Instead of confession, he added lies, deceit and murder.  David makes light of the losses at the city and encourages Joab to continue on.  Uriah's death is dismissed as a fate of war.  We have to wonder, how many others died with Uriah so David could attempt to hide his sin. 

Bathsheba mourned but then went to David.  David received her, another wife. 

©2016 Doug Ford