2 Sam. 11 Even the King Can Fall

Beginning the second half of this book, we are awestruck with the base humanity of King David.  There are a number of questions concerning Bathsheba that aren’t answerable in this life from any historical resource; such as, why was she on the roof top at that time of day knowing full well she was exposed to anyone walking on the king’s roof top, why do we not read of any resistance or reluctance on her part when summoned to the king’s bed chamber?

Those questions and others if they could be fully answered would not absolve David of his horrendous transgression, not just against Bathsheba and Uriah, but Israel, the armies of Israel and most importantly the God of Israel.  Keep in mind that adultery was a crime under the Law punishable by death of both participants; even if a king.  David knew that and attempted to cover up his deed by stealth, manipulation, intimidation and a host of other motives.

In an attempt to preclude his crime, he called for Uriah to return home, with the expectation that he would succumb to the natural and have sexual relations with his wife; thereby giving the appearance that he was the father of David’s child.  Uriah was too virtuous, too loyal, too noble to permit himself to become an innocent player in this crime of passion.  The second night David attempted to get Uriah drunk, with the thought that his mind would be disoriented enough that he would go home sleep with his wife; thereby covering the crime.  However, even in that physical condition, virtue, loyalty, and nobility were stronger than base instincts, we see him again sleeping at the king’s doorstep.

Up to this time, there doesn’t seem to be any indication that David had planned to murder Uriah; however seeing his dilemma closing in on him took the carnal logical step, setting in motion the conspiracy of Uriah’s death.  The deed is exacerbated with David sending the order to pull back from Uriah in the heat of battle, permitting his certain death.  This order was to be carried by Uriah to Joab.  The entire scene is the stuff of which soap operas are written.

Joab, as we’ve seen is a man with a personal agenda and loyal to David as long as it serves his purposes.  THERE’S A WARNING SIGN LEADERS!  David knew this character flaw and others in Joab and should have permitted his death at the beginning of his reign.

Joab complies with David’s edict and adds a couple of other deaths along with Uriah’s in the conspiracy.  Read verse 24 again that reveals “and some of the king’s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.”  Those “servants” had likely crossed Joab’s path at some point setting in motion their ultimate demise.  David was no better and truly was worse than Joab in this entire story.

David adds insult to injury, “for the sword devours one as well as another.”  The whole thing smacks of lack of compassion, repentance or regret.

When Bathsheba heard Uriah was dead, she went through the normal 7 days of mourning, more ritual than genuine; and then comes to David to become his wife.  It appeared as though David had been successful in covering his tracks from everyone; everyone but God!

LEADERS early in ministry most of us heard the “3 G’s” that will attempt to take us out; most of which begin quite innocently enough like a walk in a cool breeze on a hot spring night like David.   Those “G’s” are; gold, glitter and girls.  Gold deals with finances, glitter deals with fame and being a high profile person of ministry and girls deals with our moral walk.  Anyone of these are to be guarded against and need to have stop gaps in place to protect you.  I’d suggest you read the Graham Manifesto that was signed near the beginning of Billy Graham’s ministry back in the late 40’s, early 50’s.  He and those that surrounded him signed that Manifesto and to this day, not one (Billy being the only one still alive) has failed.  Billy Graham is one of those few men who have kept themselves pure from being blindsided by the “3 G’s”.  May that be our testimony too.