2nd Samuel 11:1-12:23

I. “WHEN KINGS GO OUT TO WAR”
A. 2nd Samuel 11:1
David was expected somewhere else. He should not have been in Jerusalem “when kings go out to war”. This idleness, seemingly uncharacteristic for such an active man, presented an occasion for grave sin.
B. Proverbs 18:9
The Holy Spirit pairs sloth with destruction and not without reason.
C. Ezekiel 16:48-50
Whereas Sodom is infamous for sexual depravity, it is often overlooked that idleness preceded such gross perversion. Free time is often filled with worthless activity.
D. Ephesians 5:15-16
Time must be redeemed!

II. “HE SAW A WOMAN BATHING”
A. 2nd Samuel 11:2-5
Bathsheba is not blameless in this affair. She played the seductress by exposing herself to the king’s view. Bear in mind that housetops were common places to spend time in that locale (Deuteronomy 22:8; Acts 10:9), so despite the faulty timing, David cannot be accused of voyeurism for having been there.
B. Genesis 3:6-7
Although most moral truth must be taught, some is innate. Upon gaining knowledge of good and evil, a person understands the need to be clothed.

III. “THAT HE MAY BE STRUCK DOWN AND DIE”
A. 2nd Samuel 11:6-25
It’s been said that “Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you intended to stay, and cost you more than you intended to pay”. This was certainly true in David’s case. To conceal his sexual immorality, he deprived Israel’s army of a valiant warrior, intending for Uriah to pay his wife a conjugal visit, so he would think the child his own. When that didn’t work, because Uriah was too honorable, David tried to get him drunk, but Uriah still wouldn’t cooperate. Finally, he arranged the battlefield death of a good man.
B. Proverbs 26:27
Those who intend harm for others will find it for themselves.
C. Proverbs 28:13
Concealing one’s sin is most unprofitable.

IV. “SHE BECAME HIS WIFE”
A. 2nd Samuel 11:26-27
Attempting to evade the obvious application of the Lord’s teaching relative to divorce and remarriage, some will try to justify their sinful marriages by appealing to this example, but it is entirely irrelevant. At this time, Uriah was dead, so Bathsheba had no living husband.
B. 1st Corinthians 7:39; Romans 7:2-3
Death terminates marriage. Matrimony never outlasts mortality.
C. Mark 10:11-12; Matthew 5:32
Divorce and remarriage is directly forbidden by Jesus, with but one exemption.

V. “YOU ARE THE MAN!”
A. 2nd Samuel 12:1-11
Nathan didn’t merely present a clever analogy to demonstrate David’s wickedness, then trust him to make the application. The prophet flatly accused the king of his crimes.
B. Acts 2:36; 7:52
Likewise, Peter and Stephen, with varying results, convicted their audiences of sin.
C. 2nd Timothy 4:2
No preacher has fulfilled his ministry who hasn’t convinced and rebuked.

VI. “YOU DID IT SECRETLY”
A. 2nd Samuel 12:12
David meant to keep his sins private, but God would have none of that.
B. Hebrews 4:13
God sees all and will expose our sins.

VII. “JEHOVAH HAS PUT AWAY YOUR SIN”
A. 2nd Samuel 12:13
David received forgiveness, but how? Since forgiveness is dependent on the blood of Christ, who had not yet suffered, how could it be?
B. Hebrews 9:15; Romans 3:25
The blood of Jesus flowed in every direction from the cross, both back in time, as well as into the future.

VIII. “YOU HAVE GIVEN GREAT OCCASION TO THE ENEMIES OF JEHOVAH TO BLASPHEME”
A. 2nd Samuel 12:14
Not only did David sin against Bathsheba by involving her in adultery, and against Uriah by taking his wife and killing him, and against himself by defiling his own body, and against God whose will He violated so blatantly, but he also made it convenient for skeptics to belittle serving God by demonstrating His people are hypocrites.
B. Romans 2:21-24
Every time a person talks about church in one breath and curses in the next, he invites blasphemy. Every time a person criticizes homosexuality, but practices heterosexual fornication, he invites blasphemy. We must be consistent!
C. Matthew 5:16; John 13:35
Our influence must be for the good.

IX. “JEHOVAH STRUCK THE CHILD”
A. 2nd Samuel 12:15
Despite receiving forgiveness of his sin, David was punished with the death of the child produced by his sinful relationship.
B. Hebrews 12:5-11
God chastens us for our own good. We should learn righteousness thereby.

X. “I FASTED AND WEPT”
A. 2nd Samuel 12:16-22
The situation stirred tremendous sorrow, as well as it should.
B. James 4:9-10; 2nd Corinthians 7:10
Although the gospel is a religion of joy, we must appreciate the worth of mourning. Without remorse there can be no repentance or salvation.

XI. “I SHALL GO TO HIM, BUT HE SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME”
A. 2nd Samuel 12:22-23
David had strong hope for a future reunion with his son. Since David was forgiven, he intended to go to heaven, and that’s where he’d meet his child.
B. Ezekiel 18:20
Children are eternally secure. They do not bear the guilt of their fathers. Even though this child died for David’s sin, he did not go to hell.
C. Luke 16:19-31
There is recognition in the hereafter.

By Bryan Matthew Dockens

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