One of the things that makes the Bible unique and gives credit to the fact that God is the Bible’s Author is that it contains stories of man’s failures as well as his successes. If its writers were not inspired by God, they would have focussed on their successes and left out many of their failures.

2 Samuel 11-12 records for us the greatest failure in David’s life. Though he already had several wives, he committed adultery with another man’s wife and then had her husband killed to cover up his sin.

Transition

As we look at David’s Sin and Sorrow, we must remember what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Even godly Christians can drift away from God and fall into sin. We must beware!

David’s Sin (2Sa 11)

Let me identify four facts about David’s sin.

1. He was in the wrong place (2 Samuel 11:1)
   1. It was time for kings to go to battle. It was the season of year, probably springtime, which kings normally led their armies into battle. This was the customary duty of a king.
   2. David tarried still at Jerusalem. This implies that David was not acting responsibly by staying home in Jerusalem.
      ☆ We are most likely to fall to temptation when we are discouraged, tired, or alone.
      ² On preacher wisely reminds us that, “Our greatest battles don’t usually come when we’re working hard; they come when we have some leisure, when we’ve got time on our hands, when we’re bored.” (Quotation in Constable’s Notes)
      ☆ David was in the wrong place. If we allow ourselves to be in the wrong place, we too will be tempted to sin. That wrong place may be a place alone with the opposite gender. It may be in a place where you have been tempted before (news agency, bad Internet site, or the public beach). We must each identify the tempting places we must avoid.
2. He looked at the wrong thing (2 Samuel 11:2)
   1. David saw a woman bathing.
      1. His house was taller than many other houses. He was on the flat roof, which was often used like a veranda or games room.
      2. The woman, Bathsheba, was evidently on her rooftop or in her courtyard bathing. She should have used better judgment knowing that others could see her.
   2. David should have looked the other way. That is easy to say, but not always easy to do. The flesh is weak and temptation is strong. Men are tempted greatly by what they see. Women are tempted more by what they feel. David faced a decision and he made the wrong choice.
      ☆ At the moment of any temptation, we face an instant decision. We can leave or we can linger. James said temptation is like bait on a trap or fish hook. (James 1:14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
      ☆ God promises always to give us a way to escape when we face temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:13) 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. That way to escape or exit is at the moment we must make a choice to leave or linger. Once we walk past the exit, it gets harder and harder to turn around and escape. If you take the bait, the trap will spring or the hook will set and you will not escape.
3. He yielded to the lust of the flesh (2 Samuel 11:3-5)
   1. He sent for Bathsheba. David walked past the exit and moved toward sin. David was responsible for his sin; however, Bathsheba could have refused. She too was wrong.
   2. He committed adultery with her. David knew this was wrong. Bathsheba knew it was wrong. Their lusts brought forth sin.
      ☆ Again, James wrote, (James 1:15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
      ☆ Years ago, I heard a preacher say, “If you think about something long enough, eventually you will do it.” Sin always starts in the mind. Note the warning God gave us in (Proverbs 4:23-27) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
      ☆ The old saying “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is certainly true when it comes to temptation.
4. He tried to hide his sin (2Sa 11:6-26)
   1. David called Uriah her husband from the battlefield and sent him home. He hoped then that Uriah would think that the baby was his own. However, Uriah refused to go home while his fellow soldiers were on the battlefield.
   2. David had Uriah killed in battle by ordering Joab to place him in the front of the hottest battle.
   3. Uriah did die that day in battle, and David took Bathsheba to be his wife, but God saw all that took place and was NOT pleased (Read 11:27).
   4. We cannot hid anything from God. (Job 34:21) For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. (Psalms 44:21) Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

David’s Sorrow (2 Samuel 12)

1. He confessed his sin (2Sa 12:1-14)
   1. Nathan the prophet confronted David (12:1-12). God had Nathan tell David a parable of a rich man who stole the sheep of a poor man to feed his friends (Read if time 12:1-6).
   2. Nathan pointed the finger at David and said “Thou art the man” (12:7).
   3. David confessed his sin to God (12:13-14). Psalm 51 is a more complete description of David’s confession. In the first three verses he prayed, (Psalms 51:1-3) Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2) Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3) For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
   4. Though forgiven by God, the sin caused others to blaspheme God, so God said the child must die.
      ☆ Confession and forgiveness are merciful and gracious provisions from God. We would all be in a trouble mess if God refused to hear our confession and forgive our sins. Thankfully, He lovingly tells us in (Proverbs 28:13) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. And again in (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
      ☆ If you have sin in your life that you have not confessed and forsaken, delay no longer. Seek God’s cleansing.
2. He prayed for his son (2 Samuel 12:15-25)
   1. David fasted and prayed for his sick baby son (12:15-19). David prayed earnestly that God would heal the child, but that did not happen.
   2. When the baby died, David worshipped the Lord (12:20-25). This was opposite to normal custom. Usually at death a person would mourn and grieve. David explained his unusual actions in (2 Samuel 12:23). But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
      ☆ This verse is one of the few Bible verses that mention what happens to a child when it dies. David expected to see the child again when he would die and go to be with the Lord.

Conclusion

David sinned by being in the wrong place, by looking at the wrong thing, by yielding to the lust of the flesh, and by trying to hide his sin. That was a dark page in David’s journal. Thankfully, David confessed his sin and got right with God.

Remember the verse I quoted at the beginning of the message in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” This evening, each of us must remember that we too are capable of any sin if we do not stay close to the Lord. When you are tempted, do NOT pass the way of escape that God provides. Choose to flee! If you have already passed the exit, turn around and run back to it.

Song: Yield Not to Temptation – 364
—
David’s Sin and Sorrow
25 October 2015 PM – 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 – Life of David – Scott Childs