David, A Murderer? How Possible?
In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so that he will be struck down and die.”
So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died. . . .
When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him.
After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.
So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died. . . .
When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him.
After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.
2 Samuel 11:14-27.
I can’t even begin to imagine the disappointment on the face of God at David’s conduct.
God had bragged on him as “a man after my own heart.” God had granted him the throne of Israel and David had attained renown and great wealth. God was with David and gave him victory wherever he went. David plundered the enemies of Israel and brought much gold and silver, dedicating them to the LORD. David truly loved God. So what in the world went wrong?
How could this giant of a man with his “impeccable” spiritual record commit premeditated adultery and murder? How could David send a loyal and godly soldier with a letter instructing that he should be killed and then feign surprise and anger at the news of his death?
What could David have done differently?
First: There is the old saying that “the Devil finds work for idle hands.”
As king, David shirked his responsibility as commander in chief of the LORD’s army. While the ark of God was out in the open fields leading God’s people in battle, David slept and took a leisure walk on the roof of his palace. He had forgotten the days when he slept in caves. He was probably comfortably surveying his kingdom. When we neglect the basics of our call, the Devil will find something to occupy our time. Dereliction of duty leads us to dangerous territory.
Second, David abused the power of his office. As king, no one could defy him. One could lose his life for that. Bathsheba and Uriah were victims of David’s abuse of power. Even the army commander, Joab, could not help but put Uriah to death per the orders of David. We must always be mindful that God holds us accountable for how we use the power and privileges He graciously allows us to have. Abusing our power leads to nauseating acts. God will not ignore it.
Third: David did not repent after the affair with Bathsheba. If he had immediately repented, God would have forgiven him and there would have been no need to murder Uriah. Immediate confession and repentance from whatever sin we are involved in will go a long way to save us from the shame, lies and ghastly consequences that would inevitably be our lot.
So David a murderer? How possible? Very possible because the Bible says if we think we are standing, we should be careful because we could fall. He placed himself on a path to fall.
God had bragged on him as “a man after my own heart.” God had granted him the throne of Israel and David had attained renown and great wealth. God was with David and gave him victory wherever he went. David plundered the enemies of Israel and brought much gold and silver, dedicating them to the LORD. David truly loved God. So what in the world went wrong?
How could this giant of a man with his “impeccable” spiritual record commit premeditated adultery and murder? How could David send a loyal and godly soldier with a letter instructing that he should be killed and then feign surprise and anger at the news of his death?
What could David have done differently?
First: There is the old saying that “the Devil finds work for idle hands.”
As king, David shirked his responsibility as commander in chief of the LORD’s army. While the ark of God was out in the open fields leading God’s people in battle, David slept and took a leisure walk on the roof of his palace. He had forgotten the days when he slept in caves. He was probably comfortably surveying his kingdom. When we neglect the basics of our call, the Devil will find something to occupy our time. Dereliction of duty leads us to dangerous territory.
Second, David abused the power of his office. As king, no one could defy him. One could lose his life for that. Bathsheba and Uriah were victims of David’s abuse of power. Even the army commander, Joab, could not help but put Uriah to death per the orders of David. We must always be mindful that God holds us accountable for how we use the power and privileges He graciously allows us to have. Abusing our power leads to nauseating acts. God will not ignore it.
Third: David did not repent after the affair with Bathsheba. If he had immediately repented, God would have forgiven him and there would have been no need to murder Uriah. Immediate confession and repentance from whatever sin we are involved in will go a long way to save us from the shame, lies and ghastly consequences that would inevitably be our lot.
So David a murderer? How possible? Very possible because the Bible says if we think we are standing, we should be careful because we could fall. He placed himself on a path to fall.