Fully Devoted: Israel, Act 1Sample

David’s Fall

Unfortunately, in spite of David’s faithfulness, obedience, and humility, he was still a human infected by the disease of sin.

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1 NIV

As the King of Israel, David was supposed to be leading his army in battle, but instead, while men were dying for him on the battlefield, he was lounging around in the comfort of his palace. Something was different about David. Maybe it's because he was getting older or maybe it's because he felt like he had done enough to deserve a break. Whatever the case, David fell into the trap that so many men and women throughout history have fallen into: He allowed his title to produce entitlement.

As human beings, anytime we’re given power and positions of influence, sin tries to get us to use that influence for our own good instead of for the greater good. But as the people of God, we have been called to something so different from that—as followers of Jesus, we have been called to use what we have for the good of others. 

But David’s sin didn’t stop there. 

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. ... 2 Samuel 11:2-3 NIV

Sin escalates. Sin consumes. And sin destroys. 

This started with David being somewhere he was never supposed to be. And because of that, he saw something he was never supposed to see. Then, he did something he was never supposed to do. 

Instead of being the faithful, humble, and obedient man that he had always been, David reenacts the sins of Adam and Eve in the garden. Except in this story, instead of seeing a piece of forbidden fruit and eating it, David sees another man’s wife and takes her for himself. He chooses obedience to his desires over obedience to the commands of God. 

Later, he learns that this woman, Bathsheba, is pregnant. In an attempt to cover up his sin, David brings her husband, Uriah, back home from the battle. But when Uriah returns to the city, instead of sleeping in the comfort of his own home, he sleeps at the entrance of the palace. After being asked by David why he didn’t return home, Uriah gives this answer: 

... “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” 2 Samuel 11:11 NIV

Every word of Uriah’s answer highlights the ways David is missing the mark as the king of Israel. But at this point, David has given himself over to sin. With Plan A not working out the way he wanted it to, David comes up with Plan B: 

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.” 2 Samuel 11:14-15 NIV

David started by reliving the sin of Adam and Eve. Now, he reenacts the sin of Cain. What started with disobedience has devolved into violence. 

Sin escalates. Sin consumes. And sin destroys. 

None of us are immune to this disease called sin. Not even David, this man who was known as a faithful and obedient king. He wasn’t even able to withstand the temptations of sin and power. This is why we need Jesus. Because all of us have been marred by sin. We’re all tempted to use the power we’ve been given to elevate ourselves while trampling others. 

But because of Jesus, we can be healed and made whole. Because of Jesus, sin has been overcome and freedom has been won. Because of Jesus, we can live in a right relationship with God and others. Because of Jesus, death does not have the final word. 

Jesus did what no one else could. He was tempted in every way, but He never sinned. Jesus remained faithful and obedient to His Father every step of the way. Even as He was stumbling under the weight of a rugged, wooden cross up that hill called Calvary. 

Journaling Questions

• Write down a verse (or verses) from today’s reading. What stands out to you about that verse? 
• Have you ever looked up to someone you thought was a faithful follower of Jesus, only to later discover a major moral failure? How did that make you feel? How did you respond? 
• In light of your experience, what do you think it would’ve been like for the people of Israel to learn of David’s sinfulness?

Memory Verse

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome ... 1 John 5:1-3 NIV