Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+011
CHAPTER 11 (ESV)
1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. 3 And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.”
REFLECTION:
- David’s life took a nose dive and we saw the dark side of him and the consequences of his sin. But even at its worst state, God was still actively involved in it.
- From the beginning of this chapter, it is implied that David seemed to have decided not to go out to lead his army in fighting (although this is what kings were supposed to do) and turned to his subordinates to lead. He then encountered the temptation. Seeing a woman bathing isn’t sin, but the subsequent actions are. From verse 4 it seemed that David only wanted one night affair. However, Bathsheba became pregnant, thus David was dragged in deeper and deeper. James said, “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(James 1:14-15)”
- Apostle Peter reminded us: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.(1Pet 5:8)”
- How do I “be alert and of sober mind” so that with God’s help I may resist Satan’s temptation? How is my spiritual life? Do I keep my spiritual life healthy daily by taking the spiritual nourishment?
PRAYER:
Prayerfully sing or read this old hymn (by Horatio R. Palmer, 1868)
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin; Each vict’ry will help you some other to win; Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue; Look ever to Jesus,
He’ll carry you through. Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s name hold in rev’rence, nor take it in vain; Be thoughtful and earnest,
kindhearted and true; Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,
Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Savior, our strength will renew; Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Refrain:
Ask the Savior to help you, Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through.
HYMN:
“Yield not to Temptation” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNOt9OUsiP0
