Failed But Not Finished - 5
You Are the Man - 2 Samuel 12 Verses 24 and 25
As we continue our series “Failed but not Finished” we are looking at the greatest king in the whole of Israel’s history! Born in a humble family, caring for the sheep on the hills surrounding Jerusalem as a lad, yet chosen of God and anointed as Israel’s king by the great prophet, Samuel. Surely he had a golden future opening up to him, and nothing could spoil his progress along the pathway to which God had so clearly called him. He had shown remarkable courage and skill in killing both a lion and a bear, as he cared for his father’s flock. He had stepped into the breach as Israel looked for a champion to challenge the Philistine giant, Goliath, and had won the hearts of the people as he delivered them from the hand of the enemy.
The day finally came when he was crowned king of the whole nation, and victory followed victory as God enabled him to set Israel on the map in a big way. He defeated the Philistines, who had been such a thorn in the side of his people for so many years and he set the ark in the city of Jerusalem, symbolising God’s
Presence in the midst of the nation. Then David told the prophet Nathan that he felt uncomfortable living in a palace, whilst the Almighty God was worshipped in a plain tent. Nathan quickly told him that God was not concerned about the type of dwelling; He was quite content to dwell in the midst of His people, whether in a tent or a permanent building, but He would allow David’s son, to build Him a house for His name.
In a wonderful prayer, David showed true humility, saying “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me thus far ... How great You are, Sovereign LORD” (2 Samuel 7 verses 18 to 22). Surely, with a spirit so humble and open before God, nothing could possibly go wrong for King David, the man after God’s own heart? If we think that, we will find that we are very mistaken, for the whole story of David’s life changes in Samuel chapter 11, and we will see him Failing in His Duty, Falling to His Desires but, thankfully, finally accepting the glorious opportunity God offered to him, as he is seen Forsaking His Deceit.
Failing in His Duty – 2 Samuel 11 Verse 1
As so often happens, David’s sin followed his failure to carry out the work to which God had called him. In those days it was his normal duty, as king, to lead his army into battle, but the record tells us that “when it was the time for kings to go off to war, David sent Joab out with ... the Israelite army”. There is an old saying “Satan finds mischief for idle hands to do”, and there is a great deal of truth in it. Will you take this warning seriously? If God has given you a task to do for Him, don’t forsake it for something which may seem to be more attractive. David sent his general off to the battle front in his place, whilst he relaxed at home to enjoy the city life of Jerusalem.
Next we see him …
Failing to His Desires – 2 Samuel 11 Verses 2 to 5
Notice the sequence of events. First of all David was casually walking around the roof of the palace, probably getting fresh air to give him some comfort in the heat of the day, when his eye alighted on a beautiful woman nearby who was taking a bath. Now that should have been the end of the matter, he was already married, and he soon discovered that the woman was married, too. The sinful desire grew within David, however, and in next to no time he commanded his servant to fetch the woman so that he could gratify his sexual longing. Again, the woman should have sent a message back telling him that she was already married, and that her husband was away at the battle front where David should have been. But perhaps it was too much to expect her to resist the attention of the king, and before long an act of adultery had taken place.
No doubt David hoped that he could carry on a secret affair whilst this woman’s husband was out of sight, but before long she sent a message to say that she was pregnant. It has often been said that “one sin leads to another” and this story provides a graphic illustration of that fact. By a series of events David committed adultery, then schemed, lied, and finally actually planned her husband’s murder at the battle front. After a suitable period of hypocritical mourning, he took the widow as his wife, expecting everyone to assume in due course that the baby was the outcome of a normal relationship.
At this stage God stepped in! His servant, Nathan, dramatically exposed King David’s sin and hypocrisy. You can read the full story in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12. Thankfully, God is so gracious that although the baby died, He gave David an opportunity to repent and return to Him, which leads us to our final point …
Forsaking His Deceit – 2 Samuel 12 Verses 24 and 25
When David returned to the Lord in genuine repentance he might well have expected God to have told Him that He was finished with him. That never again could there be fellowship between a holy God and a man who had sinned so terribly. Never again would God accept the worship of the heart of a man who had acted so deceitfully and so shamefully. Never again could He use this man in His service. But the Lord is so gracious and the amazing thing is that the very son who was later born to David and his new wife Bathsheba was Solomon, who became successor to the throne. In fact, Solomon extended the kingdom of Israel to its greatest size in all history. That is a picture of the forgiveness of God, a confirmation of the powerful truth which we are looking at each week, that God doesn’t write us off when we fail Him, but gives us another opportunity.
There are some important lessons you and I need to learn. First of all a warning to each one of us; David had been greatly used by God, but he still fell into deep sin. Then, after his sin, he didn’t simply shrug his shoulders with a bland comment “Oh, there’s nothing to worry about, God will forgive me…He’ll give me another chance”. If that had been his attitude, then he would never have known the forgiveness God was waiting to give. No! David knew he had sinned, and that his sin was a disgrace to the profession he made as a man of God, and he repented of his sin. That’s exactly the way we must come, if we are to know God’s forgiveness and renewal.
The Word of God is clear “If we confess our sin God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1 verse 9). Will you come back to God like that … He will not turn you away. You may be a failure but God hasn’t finished with you yet!