David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11

Today we read the all too human story of David and Bathsheba. How sad it is as we see one sin lead to another (and another) in this tragic episode. You can make an argument that the sin chain starts
with covetousness (10th commandment) followed by adultery (6th commandment) followed by lies (8th commandment) followed by murder (5th commandment). What a mess!! But isn’t that the nature of sin? How often do we witness the sin in our own lives and in the lives of others spiral from one area of failure to another?

And what about those who are affected by sin? One of the lies that comes with sin is that it can be private, that no one else will be affected. That is rarely the case. Like a pebble thrown into quiet waters sin has a ripple effect, both in our actions and the people it affects.

Think of the people impacted by David’s sins.  Here’s a list that I came up with. Maybe you can think of more:

David
David’s servants
Bathsheba
Uriah
Joab
Soldiers killed or injured with Uriah
David and Bathsheba’s son (see Chapter 12)

What an awful condition that we live with! As we consider the devastation that sin causes in our world, it makes God’s grace and love all the more amazing. Consider that despite the rampant sin that we read about in 2 Samuel 11 there is ultimately repentance and forgiveness. Eventually Solomon is born to David and Bathsheba and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is descended from Solomon – see Matthew chapter 1.

I love the words that we recite during the communion service found in the King James Version of 1 John 1:8-9: “8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What an incredible and comforting promise given the nature of sin! 

Thanks be to God for grace through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!