“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.” (2Sa 12:13 AV)
Most people, upon hearing the account of David’s affair and murder of his lover’s husband, would be appalled. While Uriah was away in battle, David had an affair with his wife. Bathsheba was with child. To try to cover it up, David had Uriah return from the battlefield and enticed him to go home and lie with his wife, Bathsheba. He refused. So, David had Joab put Uriah in the forefront of the battle and retire from him so the archer’s arrow would take his life. Uriah wasn’t the only one to die that day. There were others who were too close to the wall of the city under siege as well. What David did was irresponsibly cause the death of good men because he couldn’t refrain himself. What made matter worse is Nathan the prophet reminded David he already had plenty of wives and concubines to fulfill his physical needs. There was no need to take Bathsheba. As I wrote earlier, on reflection of what David did, many would be appalled.
However, if we are honest, we would have to admit we are no better. Our sins might be different, but sin is still sin. When compared against the glory of God, we are all totally and utterly wicked. We have done things that others know nothing about. God knows. Mankind may not. If they did, they would be equally appalled at our actions. Praise the LORD our lives are not open books. David’s actions could not be hid. Nathan’s words from the LORD indicated that even the enemies of Israel knew about what David did. It would be very difficult to hide. Bathsheba was pregnant when Uriah came home. Even if he did have relationship with his wife, the timing of the birth would have made it obvious it wasn’t his. David took Bathsheba as his wife not to fool anyone concerning the pregnancy. Rather, he took her because he got her pregnant. Again, most would be appalled at the misuse of his position as king. Let us remember our sins are no better.
Which brings me to my point. As horrible as his sin and are sins are, God puts them away. God is a God of mercy and grace. I cannot wrap my head around this. God has every right to cast us all in a devil’s hell. We deserve it. What made David’s sin even worse was his relationship with the LORD should have prevented it. He did not commit adultery as a lost man. He did not occasion the death of his lover’s husband and others because he did not know the LORD. He did not try to cover it up because he was lost. All these things happened while he walked with God. We are no different. We would like to think that once the Holy Spirit came to dwell within that we live perfect and without sin. We would like to think because we read our bibles, pray, and seek God’s face that the flesh never gets the better of us. Being saved in no guarantee against sin. We still have the will capable of doing horrible things. It is only by the grace of God we are not destroyed. Praise be to God! Thank God for His wonderful grace that will cast our sins away. Hallelujah! Praise God!
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