Welcome back to Time in the Word. Two weeks ago, we began our devotional series on The Price of Disobedience, starting with the character Moses. You can catch the Moses devotional here. If you missed last week’s devotional, you can read that here, https://www.mandyandmichele.com/the-price-of-disobedience/.
Today we continue our study on David’s disobedience. David disobeyed God, and that disobedience had some disturbing consequences, some of which lingered throughout his lifetime.
We continue with our scripture from 2nd Samuel, chapters 11 and 12. If you are reading this digitally, you can find the scripture here. We left off last week with David spying on Bathsheba during her Purification ritual and lusting after her. This lust led him to send someone from the palace requesting she come to King David.
One night with the king
This night with the king led to Bathsheba conceiving. She sent word to David that she was with child. I wonder how the messenger felt bringing King David the news of a baby on the way? Did this give David pause to consider this night of lust was a result of his disobedience? Guess I should have been out to battle with my men and not at home. Or was this just a simple matter of I want what I wanted, I got it, and now this “problem”.
David was not repentant. David was in damage control mode. He quickly summoned Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, to come home from the battlefield. David underestimated Uriah’s dedication to being a warrior and servant of the king.
Uriah refuses both nights to return home to Bathsheba and sleep with her. David’s disobedience is growing into other territories- deceit and murder. Sin isn’t so simple, is it?
Uriah’s commitment to his king and fellow warriors unknowingly sealed his fate. David sent a letter to Joab, commander of the army, along with Uriah. Uriah was to be sent out to the fiercest part of the battle, and then Joab, and the other soldiers, were to withdraw on him, leaving him unprotected and assured of death.
Sin isn’t so simple
How interesting, when we sin, we want to cover it up. David’s seemingly simple one-night act of lust with Bathsheba led to conception and murder. David used his kingly authority to force Bathsheba into a situation she could not refuse and made Joab place Uriah in a dangerous battle. This ultimately produces Uriah’s death. Bathsheba, Joab, and Uriah are all caught up in David’s sin of disobedience.
The consequences of our sin can last a lifetime. In 2 Samuel 12, Nathan calls David on the carpet and delivers a heft blow. In verse ten, Nathan informs David that because he despised God (by taking Uriah’s wife to be his own), the sword would NEVER depart from his home.
But it gets worse! In verse eleven, Nathan tells David that someone close to him will sleep with his wives in BROAD DAYLIGHT! That is brazen and a total slap in the face to a king. Then, in verse fourteen, David is informed that the baby Bathsheba is carrying, will die seven days after being born.
Was it worth it? That one night of lustful disobedience led to death and destruction of people and relationships. David did admit his sin, but it was too late. Where has your disobedience led you?
Join me next week as we continue to explore other characters in the Bible through our devotional -The Price of Disobedience. Thank you for joining me here in Time in the Word.
Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life. She enjoys reading, repurposing, as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life. When you don’t find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure.
Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.