David’s Struggles 1
That title is the heading in the Life Application Bible at the top of 2 Samuel 11. It is the story of David’s affair with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, in an attempt to cover his tracks. This chapter is what I read this morning in my devotional time. I am going to list the words, comments and questions that I wrote in the margin of my Bible around 2 Samuel 11. Men, especially, take note:
43 +/- years old (mid-life)
He had conquered his world and was secure at the top
Coasting
Bored with nothing to do
Alone because his men were all away fighting a battle
In verse 2, “he noticed” Bathsheba bathing – this was the moment of decision.
What had happened up to this point in David’s life that allowed his lust to turn into adultery so quickly? There didn’t seem to be any struggle to fight the urge to have sex with a woman he was not married to.
Uriah had more discipline drunk than David did sober (Uriah refused to sleep with his wife even after David got him drunk and told him to go home to his wife!)
I know that unaccountable, free time is a dangerous time. I believe that had David known the outcome of his actions he never would have taken a second look! Let’s all take a moment to ponder Paul’s words from Galatians 6:7, “Don’t be mislead – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”
This may be a good reminder for some and it may be a wake-up call for others. Let God’s Spirit use it in your life as he did in mine.
Tim
It is nice to see that we both come to some of the same judgments after reading these verses. I usually combine this story with the story of Joseph and Potipher’s wife on confronting temptation. The funny thing is that I use both as an example of what not to do and what to do. I would love to talk to you about it, especially if you begin looking at having sermon on the topic. But here are just a couple of notes:
I also took note of the time of the day. He was up in the middle of the night. What good can come when a man is up late all alone in the middle of the night. Especially when he is not feeling at the top of his game. Another nugget I used to tell me men with this story was that sexual sin usually does not stop there. We will almost always take it to the next level. It is the gateway to ruin a man and his family. Satan used David’s sin to tempt David to murder a close friend and companion, something David would never have done had he not given Satan the door with his sexual sin. Then Satan used the sin to bring down David’s house. David never could undo the damage caused inside his family once he opened that door.
The most important thing I point out to my men with this passage is this: even all of these years after David’s bad choice, we still know David as a man after God’s heart. David never lost touch with who he was for very long. He never let go of his relationship with God, and God used him as the foundation of the church. Men who struggle with this sin think they can no longer be used by God, but that is simply not true. God can and will use people, not in spite of their weakness, but because of it. I know I am also a living testament to the awesome power of Christ.
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 my personal motto and life verse.