Topic: Drifting From God (part 2)
Second Samuel chapters 10 to 12 describes David’s battle with the Ammonites. Sandwiched in the middle of these chapters is the shocking account of David’s dreadful sin against Bathsheba and Uriah, which we examined last time. Months later, the Lord sent his prophet Nathan to confront David about his sin. Some commentators believe that it was as many as eighteen months after David’s illicit liaison with Bathsheba that Nathan confronted him. The point is that for many months David tried to forget what he had done. He had suppressed any pangs of conscience he might have felt about his sins against Bathsheba and Uriah.
In Second Samuel 11, the word “sent” or “send” appears 11 times. Most of the time, it is King David who “sent” messengers to Bathsheba or Joab or Uriah to carry out his sin or to cover up his sin. In Second Samuel 12:1 the Lord sent his prophet Nathan to David. To David, the Lord may have seemed distant or unconcerned. But that was most certainly not the case. The Lord was watching every time David “sent” to carry out or cover up his sin. The Lord was graciously giving David time to repent of his actions. Finally, the Lord himself took action and “sent” his prophet to confront David about his sin.
First, Nathan reminded David that God had done great things for him. He had called him to be king over his earthly kingdom. Moreover, God would have given David even greater things in his future if he had just asked for them (12:7-8).
Second, Nathan rebuked David for despising the word of the Lord in killing Uriah so that he could marry Bathsheba (12:9). Nathan used an indirect approach with David. If he had started by saying that David had sinned, David might have been defensive or dismissive. Instead, Nathan found a way that caused David to convict himself. Nathan told David a story. But he told the story in such a way that David thought that Nathan was telling him about a real-life injustice that was occurring in the kingdom.
Third, Nathan pronounced a sentence for each of David’s sins against Uriah and Bathsheba (12:10-12). For his murder of Uriah, “the sword shall never depart” from his house. During the rest of David’s reign, he constantly experienced conflict. Furthermore: in the death of three of David’s sons by the sword, and the death of Bathsheba’s infant son, there was a “fourfold” restitution for David’s sin (cf. Exodus 22:1). For his taking of Uriah’s wife, his own wives would be taken from him and sinned against in full view of the public. This was fulfilled during the rebellion of Absalom (16:22).
Fourth, Nathan guides David to repent and receive the forgiveness of God. David wrote in Psalm 51:1–4, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” David understood the magnitude of his sin, and he repented of it. Even though God’s forgiveness does not mean the removal of the consequences of sin, it does pave a path forward. David becomes known as a man after God’s heart.
Is there any hope? Yes, God’s grace. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 5:20, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more."
David becomes a man after God’s heart.
How do we apply these truths to our own lives?
1. Rely on God's grace: We cannot overcome sin on our own. We need God's grace, His strength, His guidance. We need to lean on Him, to trust in Him, to surrender to Him, and receive the conviction of sin.
2. Be vigilant: We must guard our hearts and minds against the subtle temptations of disobedience. We must be alert to the lies that sin whispers in our ear and be ready to counter them with the truth of God's Word.
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem