We know the advantages of being in the right place at the right time. However, if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, it’s especially problematic – that’s the situation King David experienced,

Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 11:1)

David was in the wrong place, he should have been leading his army in battle. As David gained power and influence, he chose comfort over courage. David looked out from his palace in the evening at the wrong time,

Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. (2 Samuel 11:2)

Typically, the king’s residence was on the highest land in the city. The structures in Jerusalem at that time had flat roofs. People would have containers of water on the roof to get warm during the day and in the evening they would be able to bathe with warm water and have a certain degree of privacy. This was no accident, David knew the temptations he would face as he looked out at the city at that time. That could be the reason why he was looking out from his palace. Just because you have the right to do something, doesn’t mean that you should do it.

Notice the progression of this temptation. David saw Bathsheba bathing. You can’t always avoid the first glance, but you can avoid the second. David then inquired as he became enticed by his lust,

So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” (2 Samuel 11:3)

David discovered she was the wife of one of his faithful commanders. David was so consumed by his lust that he did not consider the consequences. David’s lust then gave birth to sin,

David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house. (2 Samuel 11:4)

David thought he could cover up his sin, but he forgot the words of Moses, “. . . be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). David’s sin resulted in death: the death of Bathsheba’s husband, the death of their marriage, the death of their child, and the death of David’s vibrant leadership. The consequences for his sin was the sword would never depart from his home (2 Samuel 12:10). Sin always has consequences and David paid a heavy price for his sin, but the Lord’s grace was greater as God forgave his sin (2 Samuel 11:13). Be encouraged that God can also forgive your sin.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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