Not Finished With Us

2 Samuel 11 tells us the story of David’s sin with Bathsheba. It serves as an example for us of what can result from pursuing temptation rather than turning away from it. But we can also learn a valuable lesson regarding our living faith.

The beginning of the first verse of this chapter establishes the setting for these events. The Life Application Study Bible explains that in and around ancient Israel, kings went to war in the spring because the roads were dry, which allowed easier movement of troops, and because the crops, an important food source for traveling armies, were ready for harvest. It is revealed that David had sent Joab and the armies of Israel to war against the Ammonites, while the king himself remained in Jerusalem.

Why did David remain in Jerusalem? After all, if he’d been marching with his army against his enemies, he would have had no opportunity to be on that rooftop where he spied Bathsheba for the first time. Yes, it was undoubtedly God’s purpose that the events surrounding David’s sin were thus set in motion so that we might learn through him a lesson regarding temptation. But in David’s mind, what was his reason for remaining? He had been extremely successful in battle against his enemies prior to sending Joab out against the Ammonites. David was a faithful man and trusted in God to deliver his enemies into his hands. Could it be that David took God’s presence in his life for granted?

I wrote previously about how I have often failed to accept the offer to have brothers and sisters in Christ pray for me. I know I need prayer; I submit myself to God’s will many times a day and I know that even that is not enough to cover all my sin outside of Christ. Am I waiting for things to become really bad before I humble myself before my Christian brothers and sisters and ask them to help me lift up my needs before God? Was David’s attitude similar to this as he went up on the roof that night? Maybe he was thinking, “Hey, my life is pretty good right now. No matter what happens, I know God is on my side.”

God is on our side; He sent His only Son to die for us as proof. But He never guaranteed us a “good” life. What happened to David could easily happen to any Christian if we take our faith for granted. It could easily happen if we start thinking that just because we needed Him and He met that need that He is finished with us. God had made David king of all Israel, but He was not finished with him. He would not be until a descendant of David’s royal bloodline died on the cross for us all.