David sins with Bathsheba

2 Samuel Chapter 11

In the spring of the year when kings go to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to destroy the Ammonites. In the process, they laid siege to the city of Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem.

One afternoon, he got out of bed after a nap and went for a stroll on the roof of the palace. As he looked over the city, he saw a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to see find out who she was and was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite." David sent for her and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. (She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period.)Then she returned home and later discovered she was pregnant and sent a message to inform David.

David sent for Uriah the Hittite and David questioned him about how Joab and the army were getting along and how the war was progressing. Then he told Uriah to go home and relax. David even sent a gift to Uriah after he left the palace. But Uriah wouldn't go home. He stayed that night in the palace entrance with some of the king's other servants. When David heard this, he questioned Uriah and asked why he didn't go home after being away for so long.

Uriah replied, "The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and his officers are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine, dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I will never be guilty of acting like that." David invited him to stay at the palace and return to the army in the morning. So Uriah stayed that day and the next. David invited him to dinner and got him drunk, but still Uriah refused to go home and slept in the palace entrance again.

David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. The letter instructed Joab to put Uriah on the front lines and pull back so he would be killed. And thus Uriah was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers. Then Joab sent the battle report to David and cautioned his messenger that if David gets angry about how close the army got to the city walls, then tell him, "Uriah the Hittite was killed too." So the messenger went to Jerusalem and gave the report to David.

When Bathsheba heard her husband was killed, she mourned for him. Then when her period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace to be one of his wives and she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was displeased with what David had done.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW:Spring was war season because the roads were dry and wheat & barley crops could be harvested for food for traveling armies. David chose to abandon his purpose by staying home from the war. He focused on his own desires and when temptation came, he did not turn away from it. He committed murder to cover-up his sin and his sin would have far-reaching effects.

That Bathsheba had completed the purification rites following her period, means she could not have been pregnant by her own husband.

Both Bathsheba and Joab knew it could mean death to refuse a king.

David's response to Uriah's death shows him insensitive to a good man. How had he become so callous? We know David was not perfect, but he will suffer from his terrible mistakes.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Temptation is put in front of us everyday. It may be little things at work or home, or it might be a big temptation. How can we fight temptation in the way David chose not to do? We can pray and ask God to help us to stay away from places, people and circumstances that tempt us. We can try to memorize scripture to repeat as a mantra, or we can meditate on the scriptures. Find another believer who can help you with your struggle. Last, and most important, TRUST IN GOD! With his help, we can overcome any temptation that strikes. He knows we are human. He knows we are imperfect like king David. He loves us as he loved king David. Trust in him!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby. But a lung problem has arisen and she faces surgery again. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed.
Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing.
Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly.
Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.