Practical Steps to Dealing with Sin - Lessons From The Life Of King David
David had the blessing of God upon his life. He was now about
50 years old, reigning as king about 20 years, made a name for himself as a man
of God, a composer of Psalms, a shepherd, a valiant warrior and leader. With so
many accomplishments in his life, David began to overlook compromises in his
lifestyle. His life at this point can be characterized as “a neglected sea wall
standing constantly against the barrage of the tide and the waves and the ever
– pounding sea"(1).
It was during this time when his guard
was down, a weak moment, that Bathsheba enters the picture and he pays a
terrible price. Now, Israel had a long line of kings after David, but initially God had set a
few ground rules for the king of Israel’s life:
God’s requirements for a King
of Israel
1. A king must not multiply horses for himself
or allow his people to return to
Egypt to multiply horses
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2. A king must not multiply wives for himself
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3. A king must not greatly increase silver and
gold for himself
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The hand of
God was upon David and he was immensely blessed – “David realized that the Lord
had established him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom
for the sake of his people Israel”(2 Samuel 5:12). However, David was allowing
compromises to form in his private life. These were “chinks in his armor” [1].
Compromises are easily overlooked with God’s continued blessings upon one’s
life. “Meanwhile David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he
came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David”(2 Samuel
5:13). David fulfilled two of the three requirements for the king of Israel listed above. However, he
consistently compromised in the call to “not multiply wives”. David thorn in the flesh was...It would seem
that David thought he could satisfy his desires by adding to his harem. He was
wrong. Every time he gave into his lustful desires, it only increased his
desire for more. Such was the case with
Bathsheba, she was just one more. This at a time when he was weak and vulnerable.
“Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that
David sent Joab and his servants with him and all of Israel, and they destroyed
the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But
David stayed at Jerusalem”(2 Samuel 11:1).
David simply was not where he should be. He
was supposed to be in battle, not at home. His actions did not happen
overnight. His compromises kept him home. Sinful
indulgences will lead us to places outside of God’s will for our lives –
“Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof
of the kings house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was
very beautiful in appearance”(2 Samuel 11:2).
David already had a harem full of wives and concubines. Yet
when put to the test with Bathsheba, his life of indulgence and compromise led
him to commit adultery and murder (He killed her husband in an attempt to cover
up their sin.)
