June 24, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for July 7
Sin's snowball can lead to life in the nether regions
___2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-15, 26-27; 12:13
___By Roy Cotton
___BGCT DFW/Metroplex Church Starting Center Consultant
___The Scripture passage for this week reads like a hit movie. The narrative has all the components--a beautiful woman, an authority figure, adultery, pregnancy, deception, cover up and murder. But God has the last word.
___During the writing of this commentary, U.S. Catholic bishops are adjourning an unprecedented three-day conference in Dallas. Media had a field day as bishops met to propose appropriate action in response to allegations of scandalous sexual misconduct and cover-up among ordained priests.
___Why the focus on moral failure? The same issues are involved in this week's text on David--lessons in faith and frailty.
___We have observed David's lessons on faith. Now consider the turning point in his life due to one compromising act of sin. The passage teaches sin is seldom a solo act. It quickly turns into a duet, trio and full ensemble. Unit 2 expounds on the title "Trouble in the Family" (chapters 11-20).
___Steps to sin
___The writer introduces the narrative drama by identifying the time of the year. It is "in the spring, a time when kings go off to war" (v. 1). The season is conducive for war, since soldiers can take advantage of milder weather conditions and bountiful food supplies for their provision. The king is responsible for leading the Israelite military invasion against the Ammonites. But David sent Joab, while he "remained in Jerusalem" (v. 1).
___The scene is set. David has stayed behind while his men are fighting a war. He is vulnerable, and from his vantage point above the houses around the palace, he sees a beautiful woman bathing (v. 2). David had never noticed her before. He sends a servant to find out her identity.
___He learns she is the daughter of one of his 30 select soldiers, Eliam (v. 3); granddaughter of one of his most trusted advisors, Ahithophel; and wife of Uriah, who ranks as his 30th mighty man. Yet with all this knowledge of who she is and his relationship with her father, grandfather and husband, he still "sent messengers to get her" (v. 4). Even before he actually "slept with her" (v. 4), he had already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28).
___Deeper into sin
___The plot thickens. Bathsheba discovers she's pregnant with David's child (v. 5). There is no doubt about the paternity because "she had purified herself from her uncleanness" (v. 4). This means that her monthly cycle ended before sleeping with David. What can David do? Things are more complicated than he ever imagined. The solo turned duet is now becoming a trio; a baby is on the way. Bathsheba is expecting, and David must fix the problem or risk public disgrace. This act of adultery could be punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22).
___David has a plan. He sends a message for Joab to release Uriah the Hittite to him. The king wines and dines Uriah and sends him home with gifts, hoping he will go and sleep with his wife, Bathsheba.
___But Uriah is not playing according to David's script. Uriah's integrity causes him to honor the code of conduct becoming of a soldier during war times. He cannot see himself sleeping with his wife while the army of Israel is "camped in the open fields" (v. 11).
___David tries every subtle trick to get this man to go home. David is desperate. He sends a sealed letter to Joab by his faithful soldier. Sadly, it is this soldier's own death warrant. The solo act expands into a full ensemble.
___Attempt to cover sin
___David's plot to murder is carried out. Uriah dies at the sword of the enemy. David is off the hook. Bathsheba hears of her husband's death, and she performs well as the grieving widow (v. 26).
___At the conclusion of the mourning period, David does a noble act. He sends for Bathsheba and marries her, thus assuming the role of a surrogate "kinsman-redeemer" for the fallen husband (Deuteronomy 25:5; Ruth 4:5). David and Bathsheba are legally together now, and everything is turning out as planned. The cover-up is successful. "But the thing David had done displeased the Lord" (v. 27).
___Confession of sin
___God sends Nathan on a mission. David listens to Nathan's story of injustice. Being a just king, David interrupts the story and passes a death sentence on the rich man "because he did such a thing and had no pity" (12:6). Nathan tells David: "You are the man" (v. 7). David confesses his sin (Psalm 32:5; 51:4). "I have sinned against the Lord" (v. 13). Confession is agreeing with God concerning sin.
___The story is pregnant with applications for today's believers. One act of sin can have destructive results. The ripple effect of one sin can turn into a gigantic wave of destruction. Sin is indiscriminant (Psalm 130:3). "All have sinned" (Romans 3:23). But "God is rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4). Forgiveness is available for all (Psalm 130:4; 1 John 1:9). "Since Jesus came into our hearts, our sins which were many are all washed away." That's good news worth proclaiming around the world.
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___Questions for discussion
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