The Sin of King David

We often think of King David, as a young man who, through his faith and trust in God almighty defeated Goliath.  We think about his dear and close friendship with Jonathan the son of Saul.  We think of the Bible’s description of his as a man after God’s own heart (c.f. 1 Samuel 13:14).  And sadly, we also think of his sin.  How sad it is, when one who seeks the Lord, trusts the Lord, is faithful to the Lord, gives in to temptation to sin.  In some cases, such as this with David, the consequences are far reaching, and long lasting.  Let us consider a few points regarding David.

When we think of David’s sin, our minds gravitate to his adultery.  Yet, this sin began before he ever committed adultery with Bathsheba.  James writes “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.   Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”(James 1:13-15).   In this passage, James cleary shows the progression of sin.  It begins first by giving in to temptation.  We also notice that sin often leads to more sin, as is the case with David.  Notice, “And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.   And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite” (2 Samuel 11:2-3)?  David’s fist sin in this regard was his lust of the woman Bahtsheba.  Jesus shows in his preaching, that adultery begins in the heart, when one looks upon a woman to lust after her (c.f. Matthew 5:28).   We then see that David sent for her, by way of giving into his lust, and then committed adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:4).  As the text continues we find that during their adulterous affair, Bathsheba conceived a child, which begins a digression of David’s lies, cover up attempts, and ending in the murder of Uriah, in order to hide David’s sin (c.f. 2 Samuel 11:5-17).

We can learn much from the events in the aforementioned passages.  We need to be very mindful of our actions and the temptation that is round about us.  We have the promise that God will make a way of escape during time of temptation.  In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the inspired apostle writes “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  We should learn from David’s bad example, and seek those opportunities to overcome temptation.  David easily could have saved a great deal of heartache, by simply taking the opportunity to avert his eyes, and not give in to the temptation of viewing an immodest woman.

It seems so easy for us many times to overlook our sin, to make excuses, or to get angry at those, who out of love for us, and a desire for our soul, would point out our sin that we might return to the Lord.  We can learn of this in the narrative as well.  In 2 Samuel 12, we find Nathan coming to David, to speak to him of his sin.  He illustrates his point with a story in verses 1-4.  Nathan then convicts David of His sin by saying “thou art the man” (2 Samuel 12:7) showing David his guilt of sin. We see in the same chapter that David repented of his wickedness.  Notice “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die”(2 Samuel 12:13).  We, like David, should receive those who come bearing the Word of God, in making attempts to restore our soul from sinfulness.

Lastly, we see that though David was forgiven, His sin allowed the opportunity for people to speak evil of the Lord, and His people.  Nathan said “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme…” Though, our sins may be forgiven, and God hold them against us no more, sometimes the consequences of sin are lasting. As a child of God, people see our sins, and many times, though we may have repented and made things right with God and man, the opportunity to speak evil of the Lord and His church may arise.

That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 1:9

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