A Giant Falls
II Samuel 11
January 14, 2001

Another giant in Samuel's narrative...

            The one story of David's life that he labored to keep hidden is one of the chief things he is known for.  The Biblical writers did not hide the sins of the saints, but let us see these characters at their best and worst.  Example:  Some biographers make their characters larger than life and impervious to flaws of any sort.  But not Scripture.  The story of David is given to help us to live in faithfulness before the Lord.  There are several lessons that we need to keep in mind as we read this story: 

(1)   David was a serious-minded believer - at least most of the time. 

(2)   A strong believer has the propensity for great sin. 

(3)   Sin always leads to more sin as the thick, tangled roots of a noxious plant spread almost out of control. 

(4)   The Lord sees our sin. 

 

I.  What went wrong?

            1.  The obvious

-         Dereliction of duty

-         Idleness ("killing time" - acting like one of the kings of the nations round about (Baldwin 131)

-         Walking around suggests going backward and forward getting nowhere

-         Vain imagination

-         Boredom

2. Specifics

-         David presumed upon his spiritual life

Illustration:  Robert Robinson...had been converted under George Whitefield's preaching in 1752 and later became a Baptist pastor in Cambridge.  Toward the end of his life he had again 'given way to frivolous habits,' as one account has it.  One day during this period he was traveling by stagecoach.  Another passenger, a lady and a total stranger, was going over some hymns and especially and persistently referred to 'Come, Thou Fount' as one that had brought her immense blessing.  As she continued speaking Robinson became so agitated that he burst out, 'Madam, I am the poor, unhappy man who composed that hymn many years ago; and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then! (Davis 117)

-         David had an inordinate sense of power asking.  He had conquered everything so that he had the idea that 'everything' in the nation was his property.  "He can have whatever he wants, no restraint, no second thoughts, no reservations, no justification.  He takes simply because he can" (Walter Bruggeman (273-274).

-         David has grown selfish in his seat of power and attention; e.g. he received plenty of compliments - which he evidently believed.  He was the man commended for putting Mephibosheth under his table; now he sends Uriah to his grave (Davis 120). 

-         David took his eyes off his purpose - to live to the glory of God.  "That kingdom is not safe even in David's hands.  It is only safe when Jesus Christ rules and will rule with justice and righteousness" (Davis 120).

-         David failed to consider the consequences of his sin.

 

II. What was the Effect of Sin?

1.      Playing loosely with his own family and that of another.

2.      Taught integrity by the one he wronged

David was hoping Uriah would have been more like himself - selfish, self-absorbed, "instead he proved to be a man of integrity, whose first loyalty was to the king's interests rather than to his own pleasure" (Baldwin 233).  Uriah was a foreigner not covenant child.  He was faithful to David, Joab, troops and his duty.  Uriah lived with consciousness of divine responsibility (v. 11).

3.      One sin calls for more sin

e.g. planted mint - before long overtook area

-         Uriah carried his own death warrant

-         David was willing to expend more lives to cover his sin (v. 17)

-         David became callous over the loss of life (v. 25)

 

III. Where was God in all of this? 

1.      God could have put the brakes on

e.g. David's intent to kill all of Nabal's servants but stopped by Abigail

2.      God was watching the whole time v. 27b

No mention made of the Lord until the last verse.  Everything centered on David.  But was that not how the thought mushroomed into a field of sins?  Psalm 5:4 - God's silence does not imply absence or inaction.

Play on words in verses 25 and 27.  "Don't let this thing be evil in your eyes" to Joab, and "the thing David had done was evil in Yahweh's eyes" (Davis 120).

 

IV. What did it Cost?

1.      David's testimony

2.      Uriah and Bathsheba's family

3.      Integrity as king

4.      God's honor

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