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David and Bathsheba - 1Chr 20 and 2Sam 11-12
David and Bathsheba - 1Chr 20 and 2Sam 11-12
Next to Goliath, this may be the best-known story of David. It shows that even a godly man can be tempted AND give in to the temptation. If it could happen to David, it can happen to me: "Let him that stands, take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12).
At any point along this journey, David could have said 'No'. There is no excuse for adultery, let alone the deception and murder that followed. Such sexual conduct was wrong before the law of Moses (cp. Gen. 12), under the law of Moses (Ex. 20:14), and now under the law of Christ: ""Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4).
It took conviction and courage for Nathan to confront David about such sin. Sin is no respecter of persons: king or servant, sin is sin. The duty of righteous people is to first acknowledge God's word, particularly in defining sin. Sin is transgression of God's law (1John 3:4).
David's sin was not hidden. God knew about it, David knew about it, and now Nathan shows that David must show himself to be godly.
Be sure your sins will find you out (Numbers 32:23). If not in THIS life, it will be revealed in judgment (Eccl. 11:9). All things are open and naked before God (Hebrews 4:11-13).
The depth of David's sorrow and repentance is impressive (Ps. 32; 51).
The sad part is simply that David cannot undo any of this. He cannot bring Uriah back to life, he cannot take back his deception, and he cannot undo the adultery. He can only repent and seek forgiveness.
With God there is forgiveness!
Hugh DeLong
