Temptation
2 Sam 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Winter had past, it was spring and David who had gone with his men in battle against Syria decides to send Joab in his place to destroy the Ammonites. His place was with his men in battle, yet David stayed behind. When we disobey God's will we try to fill the emptiness with something else.
2 Sam 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house:
David was in bed while his men were at battle. He could not sleep so he took a walk on the flat roof of his house. From this place he could look out upon the city.
and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
His eye fixes upon a bathing beauty. He was a man of passions, having already disobeyed God by having seven wives and other women, now he sees another beautiful woman and is tempted.
Satan knows are weaknesses and will tempt us or torment us about them. David's weakness was lusting after women. One woman for life is God's perfect plan. In this is fulfillment and a heart after God's heart. Lusts of the flesh will never be satisfied. The emptiness in a heart is not about fulfilling a lust or pleasure, it is to be satisfied with fellowship and obedience with the LORD. Many fall from lusts, flattery, and the pride of life. David was about to fall into sin.
Prov 5:3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Prov 5:4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
David did not have Jesus, but he had a relationship with the LORD. The LORD had said that he was a man after His own heart. Watch out eyes that are tempted, look away, and do not sin.
Lust conceived
2 Sam 11:3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
I am wondering if the word "bath came from the name Bathsheba, who washed herself on her roof top in full view of king David? She could have shown more care in her personal conduct, perhaps placing a curtain around herself. Men are attracted visually, so a woman should not wear (or remove) clothing that would attract the eyes of strange men. Some are just attractive no matter what they wear. Yet, others wear revealing clothing. I think you understand.
Bathsheba was married to Uriah the Hittire. That should have ended the curiosity of David, she belonged to another.
2 Sam 11:4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
David broke two of the ten commandments in his lust for this woman. He coveted his neighbors wife and he committed adultery with her. Note the hypocrisy and the false law keeping here. For she was purified from her uncleanness. She was ceremonial clean after the time of women, that makes adultery all right? I think this was made known so that we would know that she was not pregnant before coming to David. We can come up with many reasons for disobeying God, none will stand in the court of his judgment. God's righteousness is above our thoughts and ways.
2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2 Sam 11:5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
James spoke of lust, the thing David seemed to be caught up in. Not only David, but perhaps Bathsheba, for there was no evidence of her resisting his advances. Many men and women are involved in lust, adultery, and fornication. Many cannot same to escape this addiction. Ask the Lord to remove the things that offend, he will do it. Then give your life to him, be a blessing to others.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Death to the unrepentant sinner. Sin leads to death, but Jesus has paid the price for sin on that cross. He has given us forgiveness, grace, a new heart, and a new life.
Noble Uriah
2 Sam 11:6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
David has a plot to cover his sin with Bathsheba. He calls Uriah, her husband to his palace.
2 Sam 11:7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
David demanded of this low ranking soldier, asking him how Joab, the captain of his army was doing, how the soldiers were doing and how the war was going? It was a great thing to be singled out by the king. Uriah was a faithful soldier who wanted to please the king. David had become unfaithful to his king, God the King of his people.
2 Sam 11:8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
David singled out Uriah from all his men, telling him to wash, refresh himself and to go to his house. The king sent a delicious meal for he and his wife, Bathsheba to enjoy. David thinking that they would be together and come together as man and wife. This way the pregnancy would be thought to be the result of this union.
2 Sam 11:9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
Perhaps Uriah considered this a test, to see if his heart was with the fighting men. He remained away from his wife and slept with his servants. He was showing his allegiance to those in the field. This reminds me of David when he was in battle. He spoke of a desire to enjoy the water from a well in Bethlehem. Three of his men risked their lives to go through the enemy line to bring him this water.
1 Chr 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
1 Chr 11:19 And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
David had been loyal to his men, not wanting to be given favor above them. This was the spirit within Uriah. This is the Spirit of our Lord.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2 Sam 11:10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
2 Sam 11:11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
He was a faithful and loyal soldier to his king, but like all men, the king was flawed by sin. We shall be faithful to the King of Kings who is worthy, and without sin. Jesus our Lord and our redeemer is worthy of all our trust. We can trust our life to him, for he gave His life for us.
Sin and death
2 Sam 11:12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
2 Sam 11:13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
David causes Uriah to be drunk, hoping that he will return to his wife so that his adultery would be covered when Bathsheba is found to be pregnant. Unconfessed sin is as a cancer that spreads to others affecting there lives. Guilt comes upon the innocent and judgment from the devil who wishes to kill all that he may. Remember child of God that satan has no power over you, but that which you give him. Give your burdens to Jesus.
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1 Pet 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
2 Sam 11:14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
2 Sam 11:15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
What had David done? He brings the death sentence to an innocent man, to cover his own sin. Sin had a foothold, now death is the result. Negative words have the power to kill. Unconfessed sin is expressed outwardly in bringing sin and death to another or depression and even self condemnation to ones own self. We must confess our sins, turn from them and be restored. Do not bring sorrow to others because of unconfessed sin.
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.
Uriah slain
2 Sam 11:16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
2 Sam 11:17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
"David was better while a servant than when a king; for being a servant, he feared to kill Saul his adversary, but becoming a king, he basely slew his most faithful friend and dutiful subject." (Trapp)
2 Sam 11:18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
2 Sam 11:19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
2 Sam 11:20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
2 Sam 11:21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
The death of Abimelech who had killed the seventy sons of Jerubbaal
Judg 9:52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
Judg 9:53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.
Judg 9:54 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
Judg 9:55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
Judg 9:56 Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
David's plot was fulfilled. Because he lusted for Bathsheba, he had her faithful husband killed in battle, it appeared to be the fault of the enemy, but it was by David's design. Just as our Lord Jesus was delivered to the enemy by plotting men, from envy. This would not escape God's judgment. His family would suffer because of David's sin.
Psa 69:5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
Prov 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Queen Bathsheba
2 Sam 11:22 So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
2 Sam 11:23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
2 Sam 11:24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
2 Sam 11:25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
David pretends to encourage and show favor to Joab, but in his heart the demon of lust smiles at the death of Uriah. When it comes to the innocent, death is the work of the devil's demons. God ordained death as justice and judgment, but there was no justice in this deliberate killing of Uriah.
Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
2 Sam 11:26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
Did Bathsheba mourn in her heart, or for those who were watching her? How many betray their loved ones for the world? She would be a queen if she were to marry David. Many sell out to the world, seeking the honor of the world, they despise their conscience and walk apart from God.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
2 Sam 11:27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
David did not just make one wrong decision that lead to God's displeasure. He had entertained his lusts over the years; many wives and concubines. As king he did as he pleased, but he was not pleasing God who chose him, because he was chosen because he was after God's own heart. He followed the lusts of his heart instead of the Spirit of God.
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
God is king and ruler over the afairs of man. Sin is sin and God is no respecter of persons.
Superragman @aol.com
2 Samuel Chapters
2 Samuel 12
2 Samuel 1 Table of Contents
Eaglewings Ministries
Eaglewings Daily Bible