Lessons from the Life of David - Chapter 8
The Sinner
We will look today at the subject of David the sinner. The full account of this can be read in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12.
David was a sinner, as indeed we all are. The bible states very clearly in the book of Romans that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We need to realise also that we are not sinners because we sin, rather we sin because we are sinners and are born as such. However, how wonderful it is to know that Paul wrote these words to Timothy, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" such as we are. The Apostle John, in his first letter writes, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. However, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I wonder if you have realised this for yourself.
In studying Bible characters, we are never looking at perfect people and King David was certainly not without his faults and failures. In the account of his great act of sin, David, was perhaps, in a backsliding condition of soul when his great temptation came and in weakness, just as we do, he fell. As believers, we constantly need to remember that we are always safe from temptation as we abide in Christ and we can only be strong when Christ is our strength. When David committed his shameful sin he should have been leading his army in a battle with the Ammonites. Indeed Joab, David's general, had to send messages to encourage David to join him when he ought to have been there in the first place. David perchance had been slacking at home. Someone has said, "lazy times can be times of temptation."
In order for David's sin to be a lesson to all who followed, the Bible describes in detail what took place. We are told that he saw the woman Bathsheba and her beauty attracted him. He made enquiries as to who she was and having discovered that she was the wife of one of his army officers he sent for her and took her in adultery. This act was a grievous sin against God's law. The woman Bathsheba's husband was Uriah - a God-fearing loyal soldier. The woman conceived as a result of David's infidelity and when David realised this, he tried to cover his wrongdoing by having her husband placed in the forefront of the battle and he was killed. In summary, David took another man's wife and to hide his sin he took another man's life. The two terrible sins of adultery and premeditated murder, ignoring the fact that nothing is hidden from almighty God.
We next read of God's condemnation of David's sin through Nathan the prophet of the Lord, who God sent directly to David. Nathan used a parable to touch the heart of David and bring home to him the seriousness of wilful sin. You can read about it in 2 Samuel chapter 12. David became very angry on hearing about the injustice of the situation described by the prophet, and said that such an action was worthy of death. David did not know that he was pronouncing judgement upon himself, but on hearing the prophet's word, "you are the man", he realised that the Lord had seen his sinful act and had brought his sin to light.
There followed from David a confession resulting from conviction, "I have sinned against the Lord" ever David's priority - with all his failings David was ever God-fearing. Thus he pleaded guilty and awaited his sentence. It is interesting however to consider Nathan's reply: "The Lord has put away your sin. You shall not die." Someone has said "In wrath God always remembers mercy." The expression "put away your sin", points to Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ died as a substitute for all sinners. Our Saviour's death was the only ground on which sin could be righteously forgiven.
At this time David wrote Psalm 51. One writer has said, "Nothing in the world or time has been written like it." The psalm is full of tears and shame, yet not despair. There is no word of excuse in it, but it is full of faith. One quotation from it is worth noting: We read in verse 17 "a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise." So spoke David, the man after God's own heart.
Finally, we should recognise that forgiveness does not undo the consequences of sin. A drunkard may find mercy, but his poor wrecked body still shows the ravages of sin. Forgiveness did not undo the past for David, it did not bring back to life or restore the happiness of his ruined home. Forgiveness does not remove the reproach to the honour of God. Thus David, though forgiven, must be disciplined. So the prophet told him, "The sword shall not depart from your house." He had ruined by his sin another man's home, and his own after that was ruined by family factions. The Bible teaches, "Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap." We do well to heed God's word.