David and Bathsheba (4)
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is this not
Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
2 Samuel 11:3
Read Esther 1:9-12
After that fateful evening on his balcony, there was one question that occupied
David’s mind: Who was that beautiful woman? But that question
very subtly changed into the desire: How can this beautiful woman be mine?
Very soon it was made known to the king that she was Bathsheba, the wife
of Uriah, the Hittite. She was married, just as David was. The next two
boundaries came into full view: the boundary of David’s marriage and that
of his fellow man. It seems that David crossed these barriers without any
difficulty. He ordered that Bathsheba be brought; she did not refuse. She
came and shared her bed with David; two mature adults, each one having
their own responsibilities, consciously chose to sin.
Consider again how this started. It began by neglecting duty and through
boredom. Very soon it became adultery. It happened so quickly! It took but
one look. Of course, both of them may have had their excuses. Bathsheba
could hide behind the fact that she could not refuse the demands of the king.
But, to be honest, the heathen queen Vashti showed more propriety. Perhaps
David said that it only happened once. Uriah was absent, so why not?
But sin is never satisfied; it is like a fish trap. Whoever swims into it must
continue on until their death. That was also true in the case before us.
Maybe you have also ended up on a dead end street. The only way back is to
repent. This begins by humbly bowing your knees before God and confessing
your sin, but it also means you must own up to your fellow man. This is
the only way that your life can be cleansed.
Thought: The Scriptures tell us that for whoever confesses his sin before
God, He is faithful and just to forgive him his sins and to cleanse him from all
unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Psalter 415:7 (based on Psalm 25)
Yea, the secret of Jehovah, Is with those who fear His Name;
With His friends in tender mercy He His covenant will maintain.
With a confidence complete, Toward the Lord my eyes are turning;
From the net He’ll pluck my feet; He will not despise my yearning.
