2 Samuel 11:1-2 – The Way to Death
There are 55 chapters in 1st and 2nd Samuel. Out of those 55, the most famous is the story of David and Goliath. But close behind it is the story of David and Bathsheba. One records David’s greatest victory. The other records his greatest failure. One is about David’s rise. The other is about David’s fall. Although we’re less than halfway through the book of 2nd Samuel, the consequences of David’s actions here cast a long shadow over the rest of the book – and over the rest of his life.
John Calvin says this is a story which should make our hair stand on end, when we think of the fact that such an excellent servant of God like David should fall into such a serious and enormous sin as this. In fact, it’s not just the story as a whole that should make our hair stand on end, it’s some of the details. Not just the details of what David actually does, but how quickly and easily he seems to do it.
David’s fall comes not when he’s suffering, but when he’s prosperous. There have been those who’ve suffered terribly for Christ, but have remained faithful. But years later, whenever persecution is no longer a threat, whenever the circumstances of their lives are outwardly better – that’s when they fall. At times, hard circumstances can lead to sin. But actually, when things are going well for us, we may be in even more danger of sinning than when things are going badly.
David has been faithful to God throughout his years in the wilderness, and on the run from Saul. Yes, there were a few occasions when he panicked, and stopped trusting God, such as when he ran away to the Philistines. But on the whole he showed immense integrity – repeatedly refusing to take matters into his own hands, even when his men are urging him to kill Saul. But now his wilderness years are over. After a tough first few years, he’s now ruling over a united kingdom of Israel and Judah. God is giving him success on the battlefield. He’s winning key victories against some of the historic enemies of God’s people. We could say that both his domestic and foreign policies are a success. Everything is going well for him. But it’s at that point he falls. Satan may come to you when you’re at you’re at your weakest. But he may also come to you when you’re at your strongest.
Question
- What is the situation in David’s life when he commits this great sin?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would be faithful to the Lord when things are going well.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.