The passage of 2 Samuel 11:1–12:31 narrates one of the most tragic episodes in the life of King David, who was described as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). It tells the story of how David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of his loyal soldiers, and then tried to cover up his sin by arranging Uriah's death in battle. The passage also records the confrontation of the prophet Nathan, who rebuked David for his sin and announced the judgment of God upon him and his house. The passage reveals the devastating consequences of sin, the importance of repentance, and the grace of God that restores the broken.
The passage can be divided into four main sections:
- David's temptation and sin (11:1-5)
- David's deception and murder (11:6-27)
- Nathan's rebuke and David's repentance (12:1-15a)
- The death of the child and the birth of Solomon (12:15b-31)
In the first section, David's temptation and sin, the author sets the scene by stating that it was the time when kings go out to battle, but David remained in Jerusalem (11:1). This implies that David was neglecting his duty as the leader of Israel and was indulging in his comfort and leisure. He also failed to guard his eyes and his heart when he saw a beautiful woman bathing on the roof of her house (11:2). Instead of turning away, he inquired about her and found out that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of his mighty men (11:3; cf. 23:39). Despite knowing that she was married, he sent for her and slept with her, violating the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14). He also violated the tenth commandment by coveting his neighbor's wife (Exodus 20:17). The result of his sin was that Bathsheba became pregnant and sent word to David (11:4-5).
In the second section, David's deception and murder, the author shows how David tried to cover up his sin by inviting Uriah back from the battlefield, hoping that he would sleep with his wife and conceal the pregnancy (11:6-13). However, Uriah proved to be more loyal and honorable than David, as he refused to enjoy the comforts of his home while his fellow soldiers were in the field (11:11-13). David then resorted to a more sinister plan, by sending a letter to Joab, his general, instructing him to put Uriah in the front line of the battle and withdraw from him, so that he would be killed by the enemy (11:14-15). Joab obeyed David's order and Uriah was killed, along with some other soldiers (11:16-17). David then tried to justify his action by telling Joab not to be distressed, for the sword devours one as well as another (11:25). He then took Bathsheba as his wife, after she mourned for her husband (11:26-27). The author concludes this section by stating that the thing that David had done displeased the Lord (11:27).
In the third section, Nathan's rebuke and David's repentance, the author introduces Nathan, the prophet of God, who came to David with a parable that exposed his sin (12:1-4). The parable was about a rich man who had many flocks and herds, and a poor man who had only one little ewe lamb that he loved dearly. When a traveler came to the rich man, he spared his own flocks and took the poor man's lamb to prepare for his guest (12:1-4). David was enraged by the injustice of the rich man and pronounced a severe judgment on him, saying that he deserved to die and that he should restore the lamb fourfold (12:5-6). Nathan then applied the parable to David, saying, "You are the man!" (12:7). He reminded David of how God had anointed him as king, delivered him from Saul, given him the house of Israel and Judah, and would have given him more if he had asked (12:7-8). He then accused David of despising the word of the Lord, doing evil in his sight, killing Uriah with the sword of the Ammonites, and taking his wife as his own (12:9-10). He announced the judgment of God upon David, saying that the sword would never depart from his house, that his own wives would be taken by his neighbor, and that his son with Bathsheba would die (12:10-14). David then confessed his sin and said, "I have sinned against the Lord" (12:13). Nathan assured him that the Lord had put away his sin and that he would not die, but that the child would die (12:13-14).
In the fourth section, the death of the child and the birth of Solomon, the author narrates how the child that Bathsheba bore to David became ill and died, despite David's fasting and prayer (12:15-23). He also records how David comforted Bathsheba and slept with her again, and she bore him another son, whom he named Solomon, meaning "peace" (12:24). The author adds that the Lord loved Solomon and sent a message through Nathan, calling him Jedidiah, meaning "beloved of the Lord" (12:25). The author concludes the passage by mentioning David's victory over the Ammonites and his capture of their royal city, Rabbah (12:26-31).
The Cost of Sin
The passage of 2 Samuel 11:1–12:31 is a powerful and sobering account of the fall and restoration of King David. It teaches us several lessons, such as:
- Sin is a serious matter that displeases God and brings devastating consequences, both personally and communally. David's sin affected not only himself and Bathsheba, but also Uriah, Joab, the soldiers, the child, and his whole family. His sin also tarnished his reputation and gave occasion for the enemies of God to blaspheme (12:14).
- Sin is often a result of neglecting our responsibilities and indulging in our desires. David's sin began when he stayed in Jerusalem instead of going to war, and when he saw Bathsheba and desired her. He did not resist the temptation, but acted on it, and then tried to cover it up. He did not consider the consequences of his actions, nor the feelings of others, nor the will of God.
- Sin can be forgiven and restored by God's grace, but it does not erase the consequences. David's sin was forgiven by God when he confessed and repented, but he still had to face the judgment of God and the consequences of his sin. He lost his child, his peace, and his family harmony. He also had to endure the rebellion of his son Absalom, who fulfilled the prophecy of Nathan by sleeping with his concubines in public (16:22).
- Sin can be prevented by walking in the Spirit and guarding our eyes and our hearts. David could have avoided his sin if he had obeyed God's command to go to war, and if he had turned away from Bathsheba when he saw her. He could have also sought God's help and counsel when he was tempted, and he could have been accountable to someone who could rebuke him and correct him. He could have also followed God's plan for marriage, which is one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:24).
Life Lesson:
The passage of 2 Samuel 11:1–12:31 is a warning and an encouragement for us today. It warns us of the danger and the cost of sin, and it encourages us to seek God's forgiveness and grace when we sin. It also challenges us to walk in the Spirit, to fulfill our duties, to resist temptation, and to honor God in our relationships.
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