Read 2 Samuel 11:1-4
In a very familiar story, David falls into temptation,
sins with Bathsheba, then compounds it in an attempt to cover it all up. But how did he get there? What warnings did
he ignore that led to such a great fall? Yes, it is David’s story. It is also
ours. We too fall into temptation because we ignore all the warnings. Are we even aware of what those warnings are?
Let’s break down David’s fall and identify twelve warnings that will help us
avoid falling. It really is optional.
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 Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and
besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 11:1
We are not very far removed from the days when life and
schedules were anchored in the agricultural rotation of seasons: a time to
plant and a time to harvest. Everything
was geared accordingly, even when children went to school. Go back farther and
add to that a season for war. Once the seeds were in the ground, then troops
were sent out to defend or expand the kingdoms. There literally was “a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes
3:8) That was life. Going off to a season of war was expected, with only a few
exceptions. Young men were given one year off when they got married to
establish their homes and families. Obviously the aged and injured were
exempt. This is one of the radical
changes that the Roman Empire brought about as it conquered the known world.
But at the time of David, it was expected that every abled man went to war,
including the king.
The quickest way to fall into temptation is not being
where you ought to be or doing what you should be doing. David sent Joab off to finish dealing with
Hanun and the Ammonites; he went back to bed.
Now
when evening came David arose from his bed … 2 Samuel 11:2
We can read in the Psalms times where David gave into
depression and soaked his bed with tears.
I am weary with my sighing;
every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. Psalm 6:6
Later he will have a good reason for being depressed, but
there is no indication that is the situation at this time. We also associate
staying in bed all day with utter exhaustion. Again there is no indication that
is the situation. David went back to bed
simply because he thought he could. He decided that there was no need for him
to go to war with his men “this time.”
Why did David decide he
didn’t need to go “this time?” The answer in this question begins back in 2 Samuel 10:19.
When all the kings, servants
of Hadadezer, saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with
Israel and served them. So the Arameans feared to help the sons of Ammon
anymore. 2 Samuel 10:19
The more powerful Arameans had been defeated. Hadadezer’s
war machine and the powerful Aramean alliance had been neutralized. A peace agreement was signed, sealed and
delivered. Victory often equals confidence, which can equal complacency.
Complacency can easily distort our perspective.
When you have accomplished
something significant or finally reached a hard fought goal, do you find
yourself justifying complacency or “resting on your laurels”? The dictionary defines the later as “to be so satisfied with
what one has already achieved that one makes no further effort.” When we’ve
accomplished something “big” it is easy to compare other things to it and
decide it is “small” or less significant, thus given less attention or
effort. Comparisons often lead to making
wrong choices. In those situations where we conclude “this is less than that,”
it is easy to dismiss our need to partner with God. When comparisons are used
to justify willful choices, we are setting ourselves up for trouble.
The
Arameans had been a big threat, but the Ammonites were now “just them.” It was
easy to justify staying home and letting Joab handle it. “Then it happened in
the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle … David stayed in
Jerusalem” and went back to bed!
·
Warning #1: We are just one
simple justification away from falling into temptation.
David was not where he was supposed to be or doing what he
should be doing simply because he justified staying home. How
hard is it for you to justify doing what you want to do?
A temptation is only a temptation because the desire is
already there. The dictionary defines
temptation as “a desire to do something wrong or unwise.” The problem with this definition is that the
desire may or may not be wrong. The temptation may be in how that desire is
met.
When Jesus was tempted by the devil his desires were pure:
- Food – He had been fasting for 40 days and nights.
- The establishment of His kingdom on earth as it was in heaven.
- Universal acceptance of all He truly is.
After 40 days of intense and intimate interaction with the
Father (the true purpose of fasting), His spirit was strong and willing, but
His flesh was weak. (Matthew 26:41/Mark 14:38)
Satan, ever watchful for an opportunity to take advantage pounced (Luke 4:13) offered shortcuts, justifications and compromises that appealed to Jesus’
c’s: comfort, convenience, control, minimized cost and crowns. These were the temptations.
When the desire is not good, it isn’t hard to justify
doing what we want to do. When the desire is good, it isn’t all that hard to
justify shortcuts. What are some of the
things you tell yourself to justify willfulness?
As children of God, we are recipients of an abundance of
grace, but it can be abused. Why do we
justify driving 65 when the speed limit is 60 or 30 when its 25? Because we know there is a 5 mph leeway of
grace. Is intentionally driving in that provision of grace an abuse of grace?
How does justifying willfulness abuse grace?
We can even quote Scriptures to support our abuse! Some of the ones often abused are 1 John 1:9;
1 Timothy 6:17; Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23.
We need to remember that when Satan attempted to tempt
Jesus, he abused Scripture to justify Jesus doing what he wanted. (See Matthew4:5,6.)
One justification leads to another. We justify our
justification. What is the extent we are
willing to go in order to justify our willfulness? To the point of
questioning or even blaming God? For example: Why did You let this happen when
You knew I would fail? If God hadn’t made me this way, I wouldn’t be tempted to
…?
[God speaking.] “Would you
discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Job 40:8 NIV
Let no one say when he is
tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He
Himself does not tempt anyone. James
1:13
Where do our justifications
usually lead us? It may look as innocent as back to bed, but
truly it is to the brink of temptation, if not all the way off the deep end.
Eventually David had to get out of bed. A nice stroll
around the roof sounded like a good idea.
Up there he had a great vantage point of the City of David. Why not be reminded about all that was his as
king? There is something incredibly restorative about a simple walk spent
counting your blessings. But blessings that are not promptly turned into praise
will quickly become pride.
There was nothing wrong with David strolling around on his
roof, except for the fact that he wasn’t supposed to there to begin with. Where would he most likely be reminded
about the blessings and responsibilities as a king: from his rooftop or from
the trenches with his men?
·
Warning #2: As soon as we
set ourselves apart and above others we are asking for trouble.
When are you most
susceptible to temptation: when with others or when off by yourself? There are some that are extremely vulnerable to peer
pressure or group dynamics, and would say, do, even think in ways they might
not if they were alone. For others or in other situations, we are most
vulnerable when we think no one knows or cares. We not only forget about the
presence of God, but also the unseen presence of our stalking enemy seeking an
opportunity to attack. See 1 Peter 5:8
We don’t know what David was thinking when he walked
around his roof, but we do know what caught his eye.
Now when evening came David
arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from
the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in
appearance. 2 Samuel 11:2
I don’t know if bathing on a roof was common, but why not
enjoy a little personal indulgence. Maybe their home was a little higher than
others in this tiered city, offering her a bit more assurance of privacy. Her
husband, one of David’s might man (2 Samuel 23:39) and a valiant professional
soldier was off to war along with ALL the other men (or at least they were
supposed to be). Did she know David
didn’t go to war as expected? I don’t know.
I do know that David lingered long enough to notice that “the woman was very beautiful.”
·
Warning #3: You linger, you lose!
Innocently we can be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Sometimes, like David, we are at the wrong place at the wrong time because of
wrong choices previously made. Regardless, at that moment and in that
situation, we see something we shouldn’t see or hear something we have no
business hearing. At that moment of awareness, we have to make a choice: leave
or linger.
·
Conversation turns to
gossip: leave or linger?
·
Graphics in the movie become
risqué: leave or linger?
·
TV shows humor is ungodly:
leave or linger?
·
“Experts” stand in direct
conflict to Biblical teaching: leave or linger?
·
Catch someone in a
compromising situation: leave or linger?
·
Something you want, but
shouldn’t have is right there: leave or linger?
At that moment when David’s eye caught a woman bathing, what should he have done: leave or
linger?
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue
righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a
pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Is it really that hard? The answer is
yes! They are temptations because they
appeal to a very real part of our humanity.
There are three very specific areas of temptation recapped
in 1 John 2:16.
For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of
life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
·
Lust of the flesh - what feels good. These are the dangling promises to satisfy or
thrill. It may be as simple as promised comfort and peace or as exciting as an
adrenaline rush. It promises to satisfy
a craving, provide happiness, or meet an emotional or physical need. These
temptations most often appeal to one of our senses. I would include what
promises to relieve stress.
·
Lust of the eyes - what looks good. This is about being attracted to the tantalizing,
the outstanding, the best, the most beautiful, the promising, the unique, and
sometimes even the dangerous. It is about the magnetic pull of what is
appealing to us. The other side of this temptation is applying this to
ourselves, with our being drawn to what we believe makes us appealing and/or
behaviors that would attract attention to us.
·
Lust of pride - what makes good. This is the tantalizing promise to
give “me” worth, make sure “I” matter,
and give me value. It pursues being noticed, appreciated, respected, and
applauded. Words like more, better,
best, stronger, etc. all apply. It shows
up in both ends of extremes, for example getting the best deal or making the
least amount of effort. Lure of being “est” = best, least, smallest, quickest,
prettiest, richest, smartest ...
Practically everything that
goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself,
wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates
you from him. 1 John 1:16 MSG
That is Satan’s goal: “isolate you from Him.” He focuses in on
these three zones of attack. He always
has. Satan
obviously has a very limited bag of tricks. He threw the same temptations at
Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-6). He threw them at Jesus in the
Wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11)
How about you? How are you tempted by what promises to (1) feel good, (2) what might make you look good or looks good to you, and (3) makes you good or give you value or worth? Are you aware of one or two of these areas where you feel especially susceptible? If you are aware of this vulnerability do you think your spiritual enemy is equally aware? He knows if you are weakest alone or in a crowd. He knows just where to aim his attacks to be the most successful. He is not going to waste his fiery arrows where it won’t be effective.
Let’s turn our questions on David. Which area do you feel David was most susceptible? Can one temptation hit all areas of temptation at the same time? Do you think David was aware of his susceptibility? What difference should awareness make? Awareness should lead to shoring up those weaknesses with armor, accountability and avoidance where avoidable.
How about you? How are you tempted by what promises to (1) feel good, (2) what might make you look good or looks good to you, and (3) makes you good or give you value or worth? Are you aware of one or two of these areas where you feel especially susceptible? If you are aware of this vulnerability do you think your spiritual enemy is equally aware? He knows if you are weakest alone or in a crowd. He knows just where to aim his attacks to be the most successful. He is not going to waste his fiery arrows where it won’t be effective.
Let’s turn our questions on David. Which area do you feel David was most susceptible? Can one temptation hit all areas of temptation at the same time? Do you think David was aware of his susceptibility? What difference should awareness make? Awareness should lead to shoring up those weaknesses with armor, accountability and avoidance where avoidable.
Unlike Eve, David and most often ourselves
physically leaving was not an option for Jesus. It wasn’t a matter of His being
in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was intentional. “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the
devil.” It was about glory and
grace. Jesus had to hang around and face it all head on
for our sake. He did so without
sin.
Are
you ever faced with temptations that do not come with the option of leaving,
you are forced with only two options: face head on or fall?
No temptation has overtaken you but such
as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of
escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Note
several very important facts listed in this verse:
1. You aren’t the only one
ever to face this temptation. It is common to man. “Only you” is a part of
Warning #2 and is a lie.
2. God knows your limits.
Trust His assessment of you. If you are facing this temptation, He knows
together you can face it victoriously.
3.
He provides a “way of escape” - ekbasis - literally going
out or through. The emphasis is not where or what we are coming out of, but
where we are going. The first definition given in the Bible Dictionary of ekbasis
is “an egress” – “a direct means of access.” His direct means of access is
to the "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and
gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11) and "righteousness, faith, love and
peace” (2 Timothy 2:22) He
intends for us.
4.
The purpose is endurance – the ability to stand up, stand against,
stand still and, if necessary, run.
Going back to 1 Timothy 6:11 and 2 Timothy 2:22, we are not only told
to flee from these temptations, but (1) flee towards righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, perseverance, gentleness and peace (these should all sound very
familiar as they are fruits of the Spirit); and (2) “with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” - in partnership with others who are living in
partnership with God. Strength and
wisdom to flee temptations needs godly partners who encourage us as well as
keep us accountable.
David had a way out: the door. Why do you think he lingered?
When we intentionally linger, lust has an
opportunity to take hold.
But each one is tempted when
he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. James 1:14
Lust takes hold when the focus lingers on the possibility.
Lust is desire without restraint, pleasure without boundaries, passions without
regards to consequences, willfulness without remorse. Lust is simply wanting
what we want. What is alluring for
one person is different from what might tempt someone else. The fact that you are not tempted by
something does not make you superior. The promise is that God “will not allow you to be tempted beyond what
you are able” to endure in partnership with Him. (1 Corinthians 10:13) If you are not tempted in one area or another, it is because
God knows you can’t handle it.
When we don’t flee (even if only into the protecting
presence and power of Christ), lust takes root and takes on a life of its own.
Then when lust has
conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth
death. James 1:15
Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin!
Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer. James 1:15 MSG
Just like in pregnancy, conception is complete when it
becomes secure in a protected, enabling environment. When this possibility or promise of feeling
good, looking good, and/or being good takes root in our mind, it begins to grow
and take on shape as it is fed by justifications and strategizing. Those lusts can quickly be aborted simply by
taking those enticing thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Unrestrained thoughts become unrestrained actions. Some
“pregnancies” are very short! The result is “it gives birth to sin.” It leaves the hidden place of the mind and
displays itself in visible or audible form.
It may live for a time as if it is actually delivering all that was
promised, but soon its life-killing nature is revealed. The word translated “death” – thanatos – actually means “to separate
from that which enables life.” It separates us from God, from a life of meaning
and purpose, from peace and passion. It always angles away from God and life as
He intends.
We will follow this same progression (or rather
digression) as David chose to linger instead of leave. As he watched Bathsheba bathing, lust was
being conceived.
The world’s view is that since this was only in his head
it is no big deal; no one has been hurt. James 1:15 can be twisted to support
the argument that since it hasn’t given “birth
to sin” YET, it really isn’t sin. Is that true? When is it sin? The word translated “sin” is hamartia, which literally means to fall
short of the target or goal. Romans 3:23 says what we fall short of is the
glory of God.
When is it sin according to James 4:17?
Therefore, to one who knows the right
thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17
This simply means that those in the know are accountable. Is there a different standard for
Christians than for a non-Christian? Once
again the answer is yes and no. Yes,
because we have Christ’s example, God’s preserved word, and His empowering
Spirit. No, because what Satan told Eve
was actually true, though it wasn’t the wonderful promise Satan purported it to
be. We would know good and evil – good from evil. (Genesis 3:5) This meant that
the gut instinct regarding right and wrong is now “woven into the very fabric of our creation.” (Romans 2:15 MSG) Along with this instinctive knowledge of
right and wrong comes conviction and guilt, as well as accountability. As
parents, we know when our children know and must choose accordingly. You can
actually watch a 6 month old know throwing her food off the high chair is
wrong.
·
Warning #4: We are not as
ignorant nor as innocent as we try to convince ourselves we are.
David choosing to linger to watch a beautiful woman bathe
wasn’t all that innocent or harmless.
What is God’s opinion on
this specific issue of his lingering?
You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU
SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman
with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27,28
Even if just in the mind, it is falling short of God’s standard. Everything God does, especially the standard
He sets of what is right and wrong, holy and unholy, is for our sake (grace)
and His glory. (See 1 Chronicles 17:19) When God sets a high standard and says
“No,” He is protecting us. One
area He sets a really high standard is regarding sex. God knows that sinful
choices in this specific area are actually sinning against our very own bodies
– hurting us.
Flee from sexual immorality.
All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually
sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the
Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your
own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NIV
I love it when science proves God to be right. It has been scientifically proven that sexual
acts and images release bonding agents in the brain. God’s created intent is to continually
reinforce the bond between a husband and wife as they alone share this
wonderful intimacy. Think of it as God’s superglue making two into one. This
connection is physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual, as it involves
our spirit, the core of who we are as a person. There is no such thing as a
casual connection. Every time that bond is made, even if only in the
imagination, self is bonded to that person. When that bond is severed, a piece
of self is broken away. When someone willingly/willfully respond, a piece of
him or herself is bonded to your life. When that connection is broken, pieces
of them are always left behind. We can see how sexual immorality leaves a
person with bits and pieces missing and bits and pieces added that don’t
belong.
It is the release of these bonding agents - this powerful
connection - that feeds the attraction, wants more and justifies taking the
next step.
David’s next step was …
So David sent and inquired
about the woman. 2 Samuel 11:3a
This was not simply calling a servant up to the rooftop
and asking him if he knew who she was.
NIV puts it, “David sent someone
to find out about her.” (Actually
from later in verse 3, the NASB translation indicates that David actually sent
more than one person.) The word translated “inquired”
or “find out” is daresh, which means to investigate thoroughly. It is the investigative pursuit of
information so plans can be made and actions carried out. It requires time,
effort and resolve. David wanted to know everything about THAT woman.
He may have sent out his detective(s) that same evening or
mulled it over in his head for days before deciding he had to know more about this beautiful
woman. The thing about daresh is that it is never
impulsive.
Would it be different if
David had “simply” acted impulsively? Is
it easier to justify or be less critical of things you said or did
impulsively? Impulsiveness is very deceptive. Impulsiveness is one of
Satan’s favorite and successful tricks. It is a lie, like so many of the other
lies Satan tells. A lie is anything that stands in direct conflict with truth. What is the lie of impulsiveness? We
deem ourselves “less” responsible for what we said or did because it wasn’t
“premeditated.” We confuse “impulsive”
with “unintentional.”
Reading the Old Testament law, provisions were made for unintentional
sin: unintentionally take something you didn’t know belonged to some one else;
an accident where someone is unintentionally injured or killed; or
unintentionally eat something on the do not eat list, etc. Being impulsive does not fall under
the category of unintentional. It becomes intentional when we choose to be
impulsive.
The dictionary defines impulsive as what is done without
forethought. There is a thought; it just isn’t thought through. Impulsive is about control and doing what we
want to do before anyone, including ourselves, tells us we can’t or
shouldn’t. It is a choice. We choose to
leap before we look or fire without aiming.
Satan still wins! We still lose!
Impulsiveness flows out of a heart of willfulness. If we really think about it, impulsiveness is
one of the worst excuses because it is truly admitting, “I did not think.” One
who does not think is ignorant, immature or foolish. Not on the list is: justified.
Daresh is not impulsive. It is intentional. It diligently seeks out to find something
specific. David was seeking out how he
could have what he wanted to have and do what he wanted to do.
·
Warning #5: Seek and you will find.
We usually associate “seek and
you will find” with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where Jesus spoke practical
truths to the masses hungry to hear from this miracle worker. Matthew 7:7-11 “Seek and you will find” is a
wonderful promise when it comes to things from God! What a huge warning when it
doesn’t.
He who diligently seeks good
seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him. Proverbs 11:27
This proverb consists of seven poignant words: shachar tov baqash ratzon; darash ra’a bo’.
o
Shachar tov = to diligently search for what is
good, well-pleasing, morally correct, proper.
o
Baqash ratzon = is trying to obtain or looking for
what is a delightful, desirable, and/or acceptable, especially by God.
Ø
If you are diligently searching for what
is truly good, what you are actually looking for is what is a delight to God.
o
Darash ra’a =
to investigate thoroughly and pursue ruthlessly what is not right or good (at
whatever degree)
o
Bo’ = brings to that place.
Ø On the other hand, if you are trying to figure out how to justify or
do what isn’t right, you are going to end up smack in the middle of wrong.
What you diligently pursue is going to be what
you find. You will keep looking until
you find it. If it is having what we
want to have and doing what we want to do, we will find it.
Jesus invites us to ask Him for what we want. We are told in 2 Peter 1:3 that He has
already “granted to us everything
pertaining to life and godliness.” The promise in Matthew 7:11 is that your
Father will give what is good to those who ask Him. Why
don’t we ask? We don’t ask because we already know it isn’t good. That in
itself is a warning.
·
Warning #6: If you cannot ask God for it, you know you
should NOT have or do it.
When our gut says “no,” we should recognize this as a temptation. It might be a really powerful enticing
temptation, but it is JUST a temptation. It may feel very physical or
emotional, but it is really only in our minds.
It is not something we HAVE to have or do. Does that perspective make a difference? Those thoughts can take
our mind and body captive or we can take captive those thoughts. (2 Corinthians
10:5)
·
Warning #7: Temptation only controls us
if we let it.
Once we recognize this temptation is all in our head, the next step is
to either align it with what we want or what Christ wants. Have you experienced the power to endure temptation, despite its
lingering draw and possibility, simply by realigning your thoughts with Christ?
It really does work. However, the longer we allow the temptation to
have a grip on our desires and draw us into searching out how to fulfill it,
the harder it is to recognize that it is a temptation. We become numb
bums! Justifications numb us to recognizing something as a temptation. The more
we justify, the further we withdraw from the Spirit’s conviction. Remember, He
will not get louder nor move away from truth.
When it comes to temptation, what should
we be investigatively searching for? According to 1Corinthians 10:13, we need to be looking for the provided “way of escape.” We would all love it to be an Acts 12 experience
where the chains fall off and the doors fly open. The temptation suddenly
vanishes. But the fact that it has to be
endured tells us it isn’t going anywhere.
Yet, we are promised a way of escape. We need to give time, energy and
intent in finding what God willingly provides and employing it. It may be a Scripture, the support of a
specific friend, discernment, or the power to simply say “no.” The Lord knows exactly what escape is best
for each and every temptation. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes, ears and
heart to recognize it, and His empowering to apply it.
The dictionary defines “escape” as breaking free from confinement or
control; succeed in avoiding or eluding something dangerous. Rather than the alluring, exciting,
fulfilling, satisfying and empowering that Satan misleadingly promises them to
be, we need to see that those tempting desires to have or do what we want as
confining, controlling and dangerous.
When we see them for what they truly are, they lose their lure.
What was David’s way of escape when he
noticed a woman bathing?
The door! But now he has sent a
servant or two to scope out all he could find out about this woman. What
is his escape now? The door! This
time he needed to close it. “Never mind! I don’t need to know.” Why is this now harder? He had involved
others. Now it is about image and pride.
·
Warning #8: Make sure those we involve
are helping us avoid temptation not fall into it.
I am not blaming the servants. They did what they were asked. At
possible great risk, one actually tried to dissuade David from his foolish
pursuit.
So David sent and inquired
about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam,
the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 2 Samuel
11:3
I’m not sure what other information they provided David,
such as address, age, maybe even measurements, but the really important facts
were clearly stated: she was the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the
Hittite. She is someone’s daughter, and
even more importantly, someone’s wife!
·
Warning #9: Hear what you
are being told, not just for what you want to hear.
I am not sure who Eliam was. There is an Eliam listed
among David’s might men (2 Samuel 23:34), who is cross-referenced to this verse
in 2 Samuel 11. What matters is David knew Eliam. Even if he didn’t, being told
that she was someone’s daughter means she is not something to objectify. She is
a person, someone who matters. David was
a father. He had at least one daughter, probably more. If nothing else, see her
from a father’s perspective. Take a
hint!
She was also married. Off limits! Taken! Married to
someone we know was one of David’s mighty men and valiant soldiers. Respect her for the sake of one whom he
respected. Take a hint!
These servants did not have the authority to tell David
what to do or not to do, but they saw where he was going with this. Their
question was meant to be a deterrent.
They had to feel like Jeremiah when they saw on his face that he wasn’t
really hearing him.
I’ve got something to say.
Is anybody listening? I’ve a warning to
post. Will anyone notice? It’s hopeless!
Their ears are stuffed with wax — deaf as a post, blind as a bat. It’s hopeless! They’ve tuned out GOD. They don’t want to hear from me. Jeremiah 6:10 MSG
What do you think David
wanted to hear? Who she was and where he
could find her. What do you think David
heard in the warning that she was Uriah’s wife? Not home – gone for a
guaranteed period – won’t know – works for ME – can! What
happens when we filter what we hear through willfulness? We hear what we
want to hear and do what we want to do.
Willfulness is surprisingly powerful. David wasn’t known for being willful, but for
some reason this was one of those times.
For David had lived an exemplary life
before GOD all his days, not going off on his own in willful defiance of GOD’S
clear directions (except for that time with Uriah the Hittite). 1 Kings 15:5
MSG
·
Warning #10: Willfulness is a choice. No one is exempt
from having to make the choice or the consequences when they don’t
Make that choice enough times and it will become a habit.
But even then, each time it is a choice – it just gets easier to make. Let me borrow a question from Jesus …
Jesus replied, “You too? Are you being willfully
stupid? Matthew 15:16 MSG
What does “willfully stupid” mean to you? To me it means “I know better, but I don’t
want … to think about it … listen … make the hard choice … act like a grown up.
Be on the alert, stand firm in the
faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13,14
How much foolishness would you avoid if
you simply applied this counsel? In this verse alone God has provided five
escape routes!
David was being willfully stupid.
He wanted what he wanted. There was no one but God to stop him, he was
willfully tuning out God. He could, so
he did. The Hebrew verbs used in 2 Samuel 11:4 all express power and authority.
David sent messengers and
took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; 2 Samuel 11:4a
This act of authority is not as evident in the NIV translation.
Then David sent messengers
to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. 2 Samuel 11:4a NIV
- Sent – shalach– commission with a specific task. The ones David sent were mal’akh – official representatives. There was no question who they represented. Note “messengers.” They were not going to deliver an engraved invitation, but to make sure she came. They were sent on a specific mission empowered by the king.
- Took her – laqash – to grasp or seize a person, animal or object. This does not necessarily indicate violently, but a firm, unquestioned possession. She wasn’t necessarily “man-handled,” but they could and would if she did not “cooperate.”
- She came – bo’ - to be brought or come to a certain place. Do you think she had a choice?
This is definitely different then portrayed in stories, books and
movies. To be honest, when I looked at my own old notes I read: “She had to
know the king’s private patio looked down into her courtyard. She was careless,
foolish and apparently lacked the usual Hebrew modesty. She set herself up as a
stumbling block.” All these assumptions
made her complicit rather than a victim. Why
do we want to blame her? We want to assume complicity, because it makes our
hero less tainted. She had to bring out the “willfully stupid” in him. It had
to be her fault. No! Actually, it doesn’t matter.
·
Warning #11: Blaming others does not
absolve us of the choices we make.
I do not know if Bathsheba played a willing part in this or not. In
the context of the culture where women had few, if any, rights, I sincerely
doubt it. But, that really isn’t the issue here. This is about David, and he
was wrong. He used his authority, position, power and resources to get what he
wanted: sex with Bathsheba. “Slept with her” NIV – “went to
bed with her” MSG – “lay with her” NASB all sound
better than rape. We can sugar coat what
we call it, but it is still sin.
Blame not only shifts the focus away from ourselves, keeping us from
seeing our own sinful choices in the matter, it thwarts change. You won’t
change what you can blame on someone or something else.
There is one last part of verse 4.
… and when she had purified herself from her
uncleanness, she returned to her house. 2 Samuel 11:4b
The Message has a unique perspective on this: “This
occurred during the time of “purification” following her period.” The purpose
of this note would be to make sure we knew that she was not pregnant going into
this encounter. However, I’m afraid it
has a much deeper meaning. The word
“purified” is a very religious term.
Leviticus 15:18 requires that both the man and the woman
bathe after intercourse
If a man lies with a woman
so that there is a seminal emission, they shall both bathe in water and be
unclean until evening. Leviticus 15:18
This was more than just take a bath, wash away the
evidence and it is all undone. It doesn’t work that way. Putting a religious spin on it makes it worse
instead of better. We can’t pick and choose obedience. Obey this and it makes
up for not obeying that. Washing their
bodies may take care of the outside, but it doesn’t do a thing for what is
going on inside.
·
Warning #12: There is no
easy fix for falling for temptation.
Doing religious things to make-up for disobedience is not
a remedy. Going to church, taking
communion, participating in confession, giving more time or money, being more
devote in the what looks and feels like being “Christian” deceive us into
thinking we have evened the score. Being religious or sacrificial will not take
care of the problem.
Saul tried to do the same thing. Listen to Samuel’s reply:
But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to
heed is better than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 NIV
When David looked back at this event in his life, he realized this
truth.
The sacrifices of God are a
broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm
51:17 NIV
God is interested in what is going on in the heart. The purpose of this washing instruction was
for their well-being, but also to remind them to think about God in the
process. It the cleansing of true
confession that God desires.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me
and I’ll have a snow-white life. Psalm
51:7 MSG
When we take care of the outside without treating the
inside, it is like putting a bandage over a dirty wound. We actually enhance the environment that
promotes the infection to grow. We may deceive ourselves for a season, but
never God. He loves us too much to let
us get away with it.
“Then it happened,”
David was “carried
away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth
to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:14, 15) Unfortunately, David takes a
deeper dive into sin before he finally makes his way to the surface gasping for
grace. But we do not have to follow.
For whatever was written in earlier
times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the
encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
All Scripture is inspired by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; 2 Timothy 3:16
Let’s heed the warning discovered as we study David’s
plunge into willfulness.
Here is a recap of the warning flags regarding temptation:
- We are just one simple justification away from falling into temptation.
- As soon as we set ourselves apart or above others we are asking for trouble.
- You linger; you lose.
- We are not as ignorant or as innocent as we try to convince ourselves we are.
- Seek and you will find.
- If you cannot ask God for it, you know you shouldn’t have or do it.
- Temptation only controls us if we let it.
- Make sure those we involve are helping us avoid temptation not fall into it.
- Hear what you are told, not just what you want to hear.
- Willfulness is a choice. No one is exempt from having to make the choice or the consequences when they don’t.
- Blaming others does not absolve us of the choices we make.
- There is no easy fix for falling for temptation.
Let’s end with a few pinpoint questions:
- Has looking at the dynamics of temptation changed your perspective on temptation(s)? If so, in what way?
- Which specific warning(s) do you feel will help most to “lead you not into temptation, but deliver you from evil” (Matthew 6:13)?
- Why must you take this lesson and these warnings exceptionally seriously?