CENTRAL THOUGHT
“ Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12).
HYMN: AMAZING GRACE
TEXT: 2 Samuel 11:1-27; Psalm 32:1-7; 51.
INTRODUCTION:
Scripture tells us that David lusted after Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, the Hittite who was away at the battle front. He committed adultery with her. The result of their sinful union was a pregnancy. In an attempt to cover up his sin, David called Uriah from the battle front and tried to make it appear that Uriah was the father of the child. But in a display of patriotism, Uriah refused to go to his wife. Frustrated by Uriah’s actions, David plotted the killing of Uriah on the battle front. After the appropriate period of mourning, David married Bathsheba. For a time, it appeared that David had “gotten away from his sin”. David and Bathsheba in due time “bore a son”.
David went for more than nine months or a year without repenting of his sins. Does that mean he was happy or peaceful? Hardly! In fact, a look at Psalm 51:3 and Psalm 32: 2-3, shows that his conscience and soul was tormented no peace because his sins were unconfessed. “What David had done, displeased the lord.” (2 Sam 11:27). However, God out of love for His child and in an effort to bring the sinner to repentance, sent the prophet Nathan to David with a simple parable: a story of a selfishness and meanness. He told of a rich man who, instead of taking one of many sheep of his flocks to feed a visitor to his home, he took the one lone sheep of a poor man. David failed to see his own wrong, a wrong more serious than that of a rich man. ( 2 Sam. 12:1-14).
Nathan confronted David with his sin and guilt announcing “You are the Man!”. David’s heart from touched as Nathan spoke to him. He could no longer hide his sins, but openly confessed, “ I have sinned against the lord”. God had been waiting for David’s repentance as He waits for each of us to acknowledge and confess our sins to Him. He is also anxious to comfort every repentant sinner with the assurance of forgiveness and the promise of life.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.To identify the events that led David to committing sin.
2.To acknowledge the fact that one sin often leads to another.
3.To identify the effects of the sin committed by David.
4.To appreciate how David repented.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT IS THE EVENT THAT LED TO DAVID’S SIN? 2 Sam 11:1-14, Prov. 4:23-27, Rom 12:11, Matt 5:27-30.
David was idle ( 2Sam. 11:1-2) and in the wrong place- “at the time when the kings go forth to battle”. In his idleness, he saw Uriah’s wife in her nakedness. Matthew Henry’s commentary has it that “idleness gives great advantage to the temper and standing waters gathers filth. The bed of a sloth ( laziness) often proves the bed of lust”. This was the problem that led David seeing what he ought not to see. David would have turned his eyes from the nakedness of this woman, but lust took hold of him. Matt. 5:28 “ But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”. It is said that the first look is not necessarily a sin, but a second look and meditation is the beginning of the sin the heart. “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid” ( Job 31:1). We must therefore be careful, especially in our present environment where most men and women are scantily attired (dressed). Only the lord knows how
many have fallen into snares as David, as a result of dances, movies, home videos or wild parties.
Q2. ONE SIN OFTEN LEADS TO ANOTHER, HOW IS THIS TRUE IN DAVID’S CASE? 2 Sam.11:6-17. Prov 28:13.
David is an example of what could happen to a man who yields himself to temptation. From lust to adultery and as if that was not enough, he got Uriah drunk and consequently murdered Uriah and equally caused the death of other Israelite soldiers. Sin always drags a sinner deeper. Sin leads to a further sin. For example, men rob a bank and then must break other laws to escape (sometimes murder, steal a car etc.)
When we realize the problem sin presents, the guilt we feel from sin, and God’s willingness to forgive, it makes no sense trying to hide our sin, but this is what happens often. We may hide our sin from others, but God knows everything we do. Trying to conceal our sins only brings more trouble and ruin into our lives ( Prov. 28:13, Isa 29:15, Jer 23:24). It is note-worthy that when we try to cover-up our sins, we are ultimately trying to hide ourselves from God. How terrible this is, because it keeps us from rejoicing in His presence.
Q3. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THE SIN COMMITTED BY DAVID? (2 Sam.11:2, 2 Sam 12:14-15).
Briefly, the sin committed by David resulted to personal, family and national tragedies, some of which are:-
(i) fall of David’s men- 2Sam. 11:17
(ii) death of Uriah- 2 Sam.11:17
(iii) broken fellowship with God- 2 Sam. 11-17
(iv) blaspheme to God’s name- 2 Sam. 12-14
(v) death of the child born by Uriah’s wife to David
(vi) rebellion in the kingdom.
Men are often drawn into hypocrisy as soon as they start compromising with the word of God. Hypocrites are pretenders or actors in the church, though they may be found busy working for God, bearing big titles in their congregation. It should be noted that sin always displeases the Lord and God’s displeasure is impartial, no matter who commits sin. God hated David’s sin.
Some people have strange idea that time erases sin and that old sins should not be rebuked or corrected. The truth is just the opposite ( Psalm 50:21, Rev 2:4; 2 Sam. 12:1, 14-15). From the scriptures it is obvious that there was a time-lag between the sin of adultery and the visit of Prophet Nathan. There is a call for total repentance, no matter the time lag. In God’s sight, there is no excuse for sin, and when men sin it amounts to despising God and His word ( 2 Sam. 12:7-10).
Sinners may suffer consequences of their sin even though forgiven ( 2Sam. 12:10-14); as the lord pleases.
Q4. WHAT IS THE SCRIPTURAL PATTERN FOR REPENTANCE?
David’s repentance started with the admission of his sin. Psalm 51 gives us insight into how David broke down before the lord; he confessed, and acknowledged his transgressions, and pleaded for God’s mercy.
Scofield’s outlined steps for David’s restoration of full communion/fellowship with God, as found in Ps 51, applies to a believer who has sinned. The steps are:-
1. Sin thoroughly judged before God ( Ps.51:1-6);
2. Forgiveness and cleansing through the blood. (vs 7);
3. Cleansing (vs 7-10; Jn13:4-10; Eph 5:26; 1 Jn1:9)
4. Spirit-filled for joy and power. (vs 11, 12);
5. Service ( vs 13) 6. Worship (vs 14-17). Thus, the believer is restored back to God.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
None of us is beyond the reach of temptation. In this day and age, let us fear lest we fall into sin like David. Let us resolve to quickly repent whenever we fall into sin “… if any man sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the Righteous”. 1 Jn 2:1-2
MEMORY VERSE 1 Jn. 1:8-9. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Sin cannot forever be hidden. 2 Sam. 11:5, Num. 32:33, Ecc. 12:13-14, 1 Cor. 4:5. Tuesday: Sin leads man into hypocrisy. 2 Sam 11:22, 25, Matt 22:3-5 Wednesday: God hates sin. Psalm 139:7-16, 2 Sam. 11:27 Thursday: God desires men back to faithfulness.
Acts 8:20; Gal. 6:12; James 5:19-20
Friday: God loves Christians that are humble.
Job 22:29; Ps 9:12; 10:17; James 4: 6, 10
Saturday: A servant of God must have integrity.
Luke 6:27-35, Ps 145:15; Gal. 6:9