2 Samuel 11:1-2 – Neglect of Duty
In verse 1 we’re presented with someone who’s neglecting his duty. We’re not told that in so many words, but look how the events of the chapter are introduced. It was the time of the year when kings go out to battle. But where was David? At home. Now did David have to go out and personally fight every battle? No. In the last chapter, it’s only in the last few verses that David himself leads his troops into battle. Up till that point, Joab and Abishai have been in charge. So some would say that it isn’t necessarily a problem when we find that David is at home while his troops are fighting battles. But the Bible doesn’t waste words. If it just wanted to tell us when these events happened, it could have said ‘In the spring of the year’. But the fact that it tells us that it was the time of the year when kings went to battle, that David remained in Jerusalem – we’re undoubtedly meant to hear that as a rebuke. David was neglecting his duty, and sin soon followed.
It will be the same for us. Not serving as we should makes us unhappy and discontent – and leaves us particularly vulnerable to temptation. Of course, we think it’s the opposite. We think that pleasing ourselves will make us happy. But Jesus says it’s the other way round. True satisfaction and true joy are found in serving him, not in serving ourselves. It’s not just about keeping busy for the sake of it. It’s that we were made to live for something bigger than ourselves. If we’re not doing that – if we’re just focussing on ourselves – we’ll be dissatisfied with life, and leave ourselves wide open to the false promises of sin. But when we have joy in serving Christ, sin won’t seem as attractive.
So the first step on the road to death is neglect of duty. When I say death, I don’t necessarily mean committing murder, which is where this particular chapter ends up. But all sin does lead to death, whether physical or spiritual. James 1.15 tells us that ‘desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death’. Even if your sin doesn’t lead to murder, it may end with the destruction of your soul. And the first step on that road is neglect of duty.
Question
- How is David neglecting his duty?
- What happens when we serve ourselves?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would find joy in serving Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.