Overview
These chapters record the greatest tragedy in the life of David. The Bible tells it like it is, without concealing the sin, but rather exposing it to show its ugliness and the grave consequences of it. The story illustrates well the scripture, "be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23) and serves as a warning to those who have not fallen that they should always be on their guard, for no one, no matter how high their position might be, is immune to sin (1 Corinthians 10:11-12). The story also illustrates the gracious forgiveness of God to the truly repentant and thus serves to comfort those have fallen into sin, for God is a restorer of persons.
We see that even David, who was called a man after God's own heart, fell into terrible sin: lust, adultery, deceit, conspiracy, and even murder. One might ask, "How was this possible?" From the text, it is evident that David was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Israel was engaged in warefare at that time, and David should have been fulfilling his divinely appointed role in leading the battle (10:7; 11:1), not wasting his time relaxing, walking on his roof, and opening himself up to the tricks of the devil. We as believers must keep ourselves engaged in doing the Lord's will and avoid even the appearance of evil.
Another reason David fell into sin was that he forgot his position and the responsibilities of a divinely appointed shepherd over God's flock. As Nathan expressed, God has blessed him with so much and could have given him more (12:8). He had no excuse to take something that God had given to another. David already had many wives, and it is an evil of polygamy that he was not satisfied, causing hims to lust after more and covet his neighbour Uriah's beautiful wife (cf. James 1:15; Deuteronomy 17:17). We, as belivers today, likewise must be content with what God has given us. We must never forget our position in Christ; we are children of God and as such should reflect the character of God. If we sin, we mar that image.
Uriah was considered one of the bravest soliders in David's army (23:39). Although he was a Hittite, it is clear by his name, which means "light of Jehovah", and by his conduct that he had accepted the faith of the Hebrews. David tried to cover up his sin of adultery by attempting to trick Uriah to go and lie with his wife so it would be supposed that the child was his own. Uriah was a nobel man and a faithful soldier with a strong will and strength of purpose. He, unlike David, had his priorities straight and felt responsible as a soldier to keep his mind on the battle.
So David's first cover-up failed. This led to an even greater sin. In Uriah's own faithful and unsuspecting hands, David sent to Joab the message of his death-plot. Joab obeyed and David brought upon himself not only the bloodguiltiness for the murder of Uriah but a worse crime, because of the Israelite men who dies with him (11:17). According to the law, murder was punishable by death, as was adultery (Leviticus 20:10; 24:17).
David's heart was not in rebellion against God, for he sincerely repented after Nathan's parable and bold rebuke shocked him into the realization that he was the one whom he unknowingly and indignantly said deserved to die (see Psalm 51 and 32). Though God in His mercy forgave David, he still had to suffer the scandal and consequences of his sin for the rest of his life. Just as Nathan had foretold, David's household was in much turmoil; "the sword did not depart from his house" (12:10; the immediate death of his son, 12:18; and later the death of three other sons, 13:28; 18:14; 1 Kings 2:25). There was also open immorality and rebellion by his family against him (12:11; e.g. Absalom 16:22). Yet, because of David's repentance, God restored him, blessed him with the birth of Solomon, and gave him victory in his battles (12:29).
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