What David Needed Most

When the reader of second Samuel arrives at chapter eleven, he can hardly believe what he is reading. The previous two stories give us no warning about what is to come. We have no preparation for the David we are about to meet. In the previous stories David extended grace in beautiful and unexpected ways. He invited Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, to sit at his table like a son. And David went on to show Hanun, the new king of the Amorites, abundant grace when he might have done the opposite.  

So, when we arrive at chapter 11 and observe David’s behavior, the effect is shocking. He is the same man, of course, but he is acting in a way that does not resemble the David of the previous chapters. As an aside, we often hear people say after committing a sin like adultery, “That wasn’t me!” We too want to say, “Surely this is not the David we knew!” But indeed it is.

Even after David discovered that the woman he has been eyeing from the roof is Bathsheba, which ought to have meant something to him, it certainly meant something to those who mentioned it, the revelation of her identity was simply tossed aside. In the very next verse, we read that he sent, took and lay with her.  The actions are described as rough and assault-like. If Bathsheba was complicit upon hearing the invitation we might describe the scenario as passionate, but either way, it was sinful.

Sin bore fruit in the most literal way. The woman sent him word that she was pregnant.  Upon hearing this news David set about to abuse his power. The Bible often uses repetition to help us see the author’s point. However, in the English this technique of repetition is often changed because the third grade English teachers of these translators would show no quarter they used the same word in a story over and over again!  But the repetition of vocabulary helps tell the story in the Hebrew. That is no less true in this story.  The word “sent” is crucial for our understanding what is happening. For example,

Verse 3, “David sent and inquired about the woman.”

Verse 4, “So David sent messengers and took her…”

Verse 5, “And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, “I am pregnant.”

Verse 6, “So David sent word to Joab, ‘Send me Uriah the Hittite.’  And Joab sent Uriah to David.

You get the idea. David was a man with power. He was sovereign. He could give an order that this one come and this one go and it would happen. He had become somebody.  And so, after he had killed Bathsheba’s husband “David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son.” And it appears as if David was at ease.

But there was someone else watching. In the opening verse of chapter twelve we read, “And the LORD sent Nathan to David.” The Lord is about to call his servant to account for his actions. This story is part of the great unfolding of redemptive history. It is unique. And yet, it is very common. Men and women believe that the real sin is getting caught. But the fact is that David was caught on the roof. He did not just forget himself; he forgot the God who never slumbers nor sleeps. He forgot the God whose eye is on the righteous. This is the One who knit us together in the womb and knows our inwardmost thoughts. He saw David on the roof. But David did not have the eyes to see Him. That is a reminder to us. We must stop, especially in times of travail and testing and look around. What do we see? If all we see is trouble, sin, and temptation, then we have surely lost perspective.

For example, David had watched enough sacrifices being offered that the idea of substitutionary atonement was a well-worn idea in his theological thinking and discourse. And so, it is hard to imagine that it didn’t come home to him with some force that he had made Uriah a substitute for himself.  How could his conscience not be afflicted? Verse one of chapter twelve is a reminder that even when we are not faithful, God is faithful.  He, the real sovereign in this story, will send what we need when we need it, even if it hurts, because it is for our good.  

Jeffrey A Stivason (Ph.D. Westminster Theological Seminary) is pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gibsonia, PA.  He is also Professor of New Testament Studies at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. Jeff is the Editorial Director of Ref21 and Place for Truth both online magazines of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.