2 Samuel 11:1-27
Q.1. What were the circumstances that led to David’s adultery? How was David exposed? Did David succeed in covering his sin? – (2 Sam.11:1-13)
David should have been on the battlefield with his army. Instead he was at the palace in Jerusalem with his wives (2 Sam.11:1). This left him vulnerable to temptation during the night, when he saw a beautiful woman bathing (2 Sam.11:2). He foolishly inquired after the woman’s identity and learned that she was the wife of Uriah, one of his valiant warriors (2 Sam.11:3 c.f. 2 Sam.23:39). Notwithstanding, he called for her, and slept with her (2 Sam.11:4). However, David was at risk of being exposed when Bathsheba fell pregnant (2 Sam.11:5). He then conceived a wicked plan to conceal his sin. He called for Uriah, under the guise of getting a report of the welfare of Joab and of the progress of the war. He then sent him home, expecting that Uriah would sleep with his wife (2 Sam.11:6-8). However, Uriah refused to go home while the army was at risk. The next day, David was still unable to entice Uriah to go home, even after getting him drunk (2 Sam.11:9-13). Should he confess and seek Uriah’s forgiveness?
Q.2. How did David plan to cover up his sin? How did Uriah die? What was David’s response? How did God view David’s deceit? – (2 Sam.11:14-27)
Sadly, David was determined to cover his sin, so sent Uriah back to Joab, carrying his own death warrant – Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die (2 Sam.11:15). Joab obeyed, and when Uriah had been slain, he sent a secret message to the king revealing that Uriah had died (2 Sam.11:16-21). David then sent a message of approval to Joab through his servant. Bathsheba mourned the loss of her husband and – when the time of mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son (2 Sam.11:27). He may have thought he had covered his wicked deeds – but the thing David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Sam.11:27). David’s greatest oversight was that the Lord God saw it all.