David’s Sin with Bathsheba

Scripture Passage:
2 Samuel 11:1-27

INTRODUCTION: In this chapter, one of the great men of God in the Bible falls
deeply into sin. How could David do such a thing? We all wonder. But, the truth
of the matter is, we could all do such a thing. Let us learn from David so that
we will not do as he did.

I. THE SIN OF ADULTERY (2 Samuel 11:1-5)

A. The Occasion (2 Samuel 11:1-2)

1. A time of war (2 Samuel 11:1)
a. A time when kings go to battle
b. David sent Joab to battle.
1. With all Israel
2. To fight the Ammonites
3. To besiege Rabbah
c. David tarried at Jerusalem.
d. NOTE: We see the beginning of this trend in the
previous chapter (2 Samuel 10:7).
David’s first error was being in the wrong place at
the wrong time.

2. In the evening (2 Samuel 11:2)

a. A time of darkness (John 3:19-20)
b. A time when others sleep (Proverbs 4:16)
c. In a place out of sight
1. In the dark (Isaiah 29:15
; Ezekiel 8:12)
2. On the rooftop (see Joshua 2:6)

3. The temptation (2 Samuel 11:2)

a. He saw.
1. A woman
2. Washing herself
b. He looked.
1. He looked upon her.
2. He admired her beauty.
3. He lusted after her (Matthew 5:28).

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 B. The Sin Committed (2 Samuel 11:3-4)
1. He was in the wrong place (2 Samuel 11:1).
2. He allowed himself to lust (2 Samuel 11:2;
James 1:14-15).
3. He investigated the matter (2 Samuel 11:3).
a. He sent and inquired.
b. He ignored the fact of her marriage – sin blinds.
4. He sent for her (2 Samuel 11:4).
5. He committed adultery (2 Samuel 11:4).
6. He sent her home (2 Samuel 11:4);
he evidently felt that the sin could be committed, put
aside and forgotten. This is the same mistake that
many others have made over the centuries.

C. The Sin Discovered (2 Samuel 11:5)

1. Bathsheba sent unto David.
2. Bathsheba was with child (see Numbers 32:23).

II. THE ATTEMPT TO COVER THE SIN (2 Samuel 11:6-13)

A. David Sent for Uriah (2 Samuel 11:6-7).

1. David had Joab send Uriah to Jerusalem (2 Samuel
11:6).
2. David questioned Uriah about the war (2 Samuel
11:7).

B. David Sought to Get Uriah to Go Home (2 Samuel 11:8).

1. David gave leave to Uriah (2 Samuel 11:8).
a. To go to his house
b. To wash his feet
c. In other words, to relax and spend the night with
his wife
2. David sent a present of meat with Uriah (2 Samuel
11:8).

C. Uriah Refused to Go Home (2 Samuel 11:9-11).

1. Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with the
servants (2 Samuel 11:9).
NOTE: David had a problem that lay at his door
(see Genesis 4:7).

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 2. David asked Uriah why he did not go home (2 Samuel
11:10).
3. Uriah replied (2 Samuel 11:11).
a. The ark and armies of Israel abode in tents.
b. Joab his lord was encamped in open fields.
c. This was not a time to enjoy the pleasures of
home.
d. He absolutely refused to do such a thing.
e. NOTE: What a reproof to David who is obviously
enjoying the comforts of home in a time of war!
David’s trap will work only if he is not working with
a man of high convictions. Uriah is the wrong man.

D. David Made One More Attempt (2 Samuel 11:12-13).

1. He asked Uriah to wait in Jerusalem two more days (2
Samuel 11:12).
2. He got Uriah drunk (2 Samuel 11:13).
3. Uriah still slept with David’s servants (2 Samuel
11:13).

III. THE SIN OF MURDER (2 Samuel 11:14-17)

A. David Sent a Letter to Joab (2 Samuel 11:14-15).
1. He sent the letter by Uriah (2 Samuel 11:14).
2. The letter instructed Joab (2 Samuel 11:15).
a. To set Uriah in the heat of the battle
b. To back away from him at that time
c. To leave Uriah to be killed

B. Joab Fulfilled David’s Orders (2 Samuel 11:16-17).

1. He assigned Uriah to fight the valiant men of the city
(2 Samuel 11:16).
2. Uriah died in the battle (2 Samuel 11:17).

IV. THE COVER-UP IS COMPLETE (2 Samuel 11:18-27)

A. Joab Sent a Messenger to David (2 Samuel 11:18-21).
1. He was to tell of the matters of the war (2 Samuel
11:18-19).
2. He was told to expect the king’s wrath (2 Samuel
11:20-21).
3. He was to announce the death of Uriah (2 Samuel
11:21).

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 B. David Received the Messenger (2 Samuel 11:22-25).
1. The messenger gave his report (2 Samuel 11:22-24).
2. David sent word back to Joab (2 Samuel 11:25).
a. Do not be displeased.
b. The sword devours one as well as another.
c. Make the battle strong and overthrow the city.
d. Be encouraged.
3. NOTE: When read in comparison with David’s fullness
of heart in his many Psalms, this cynicism and
hardness of heart is difficult to understand. But it
shows how much sin can change a man. This should
be a warning to us all.
C. David Took Bathsheba as His Wife (2 Samuel 11:26-27).
1. Bathsheba mourned for her husband (2 Samuel
11:26).
2. David sent to take her as his wife (2 Samuel 11:27).
3. David displeased the Lord (2 Samuel 11:27).

CONCLUSION: It looks as if David has gotten away with murder and adultery.
But God is not through with him. Be sure your sin will find you out
(Numbers 32:23).

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