2 Samuel 11 & 12
It was a beautiful spring afternoon. The air was clear, the sun was shining and the roof was the perfect place to freshen up. Another month passes and no baby. Uriah was off to war with the king’s army. It will be a long time before her husband returns. No matter, life has a way of righting itself.
On a nearby balcony, the king, who had chosen to stay at the palace instead of going to battle with his troops, sees an unusually beautiful woman bathing on her rooftop. “Does she know I’m here? I’ve not seen such beauty! Who is this woman?” The messengers sent to inquire of her return with the news that she is Bathsheba, the daughter of a trusted friend and granddaughter of one of his advisors. She is also the wife of one of his most loyal soldiers, a member of his royal guard.
In that moment the king had the opportunity to walk away from the lust in his heart and honor the vows this woman had made to her husband. But he didn’t.
A messenger was sent to the woman, calling her to the king’s chambers. She quickly responded and went immediately to the king. We don’t know the conversation but it is quite certain that the king made his wishes of her known. In that moment she had a choice to make, surrender to the king’s wishes or honor her vows to her husband.
Can you imagine what it would be like to be desired by the king? The flattery of being called to him, the honor of serving the highest authority in the land, it must have taken her breath away. Thoughts must have been turning in her head, “The king has many wives and yet, he wants me!” A blush of embarrassment and a schoolgirl’s giggle may have been the reaction. Or, had there been a devious plan on her part.
Did she know the king had not gone to war? It is most likely the whole city knew. Did she know her rooftop was in full view of the king’s balcony? Probably. Did she desire the privilege of the palace, the luxury of being one of the king’s women? Did she mean for him to see her? She went to him and slept with him and then returned home.
The moment had passed. It might have been a one-time encounter but she became pregnant. Now what? Uriah will be dishonored, the king has no obligation to her – she’s married. What can be done? The law demands death for both David and Bathsheba. Bathsheba decided to leave it up to King David sending word to him of her pregnancy and the cover up begins. Uriah was brought home but in his loyalty to his king and his brothers in battle, he refused to spend time with his wife. Even when the king got him drunk, Uriah was a man of honor. The only way out was to kill Uriah and marry Bathsheba. Uriah was sent to battle with the understanding on the part of his superiors that he was to be placed in the “front line where the fighting is fiercest so her will be struck down and die”. Uriah died defending his nation and his king.
How different things would have been if in those moments of decision, David and Bathsheba had followed the laws of God known well by both of them. Because of one moment’s weakness, David, a man after God’s own heart, broke the sixth, seventh, ninth and tenth commandments*, the very law he said was his delight, (Psalm 40:8)
The opportunity for this sin may have presented itself many times but it only took one surrender to the moment to change everything.
God in his justice, allowed David to marry Bathsheba but the baby born of their sin died. David’s heart was broken. He pleaded with God for the child’s life but God said “No.” (2 Samuel 12:15-24)
The good news to this story is God did forgive David and Bathsheba and gave their union a son, Solomon that ruled the nation with great wisdom and was loved by God (2 Samuel 12:24). Bathsheba was honored and loved by her husband and her son.
David was allowed to rule bringing his nation into the promise God had given their father Abraham.
We are given “moments” everyday that will determine our futures. We have to choose to make the right choices based on God’s commandments. It would be easy to allow the words or look of flattery to turn us. We may even be putting our livelihood and futures at risk by refusing to give in to those “moments” but God’s promises NEVER fail us. When we make the right choice IN THAT MOMENT, we are secure in the promise David knew to be true:
“ 73 You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
you disciplined me because I needed it.
76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.
77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight. Psalm 119:73-77
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
you disciplined me because I needed it.
76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.
77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight. Psalm 119:73-77
