David & Bathsheba - Part One

Return of the Judges?

been on a journey through Samuel

the emergence of the Kingdom of Israel

For generations Israel has been led by a string of judges - some good, some bad

Chaotic, unpredictable, some of the most tragic stories in human history

In those days, the peole did evil in the sight of the Lord. In those days, the people did whatever was right in their own eyes. In those days there was no king in Israel

Through Samuel, through Saul, through David, the people of Israel are reaching for something more

When we get to the story of David, Bathsheba and Uriah, we cuold be forgiven for thinking that nothing has changed.

David, the author of Psalms, does evil in the eyes of the Lord. David, the mans after God’s own heart, does evil in the eyes of the Lord David, the anointed one of God, abuses his place as king

There’s even a difference in story-telling style here. This story just feels more like an account from Judges, than it does the rest of Samuel. There’s a pantomime quality to David’s conversation with Uriah that reminds me of the battle of wits between Samson and Delilah. It’s almost absurd. “So… Uriah, How’s Joab? Good, good… and… how’s the war going? Excellent. Well, you must be tired, why don’t you head home?

But, reading between the lines, Uriah is on to him, and refuses to give David an easy way out.

David’s response? Brutal. Callous. Selfish.

David is supposed to be better than this

He’s been chosen by God to lead the people of Israel as their king, and his first duty is to serve God. To represent God’s goodness in the kingdom and in the world.

Content warning

David falls completely short. In taking Bathsheba from her home and forcing her into sex he is serving only himself.

All too often in the church Bathsheba is painted as the villain here. The irresistable temptress, enticing David with her immodesty, undermining his faithfulness and his rule.

But, when we read the scripture, Bathsheba is doind nothing wrong. In fact, she is observing God’s law - cleansing herself after her period. Bathseheba has no choice, no option. When soldiers turn up at your door, demanding that you go to the king’s bed, what choice do you have?

This is not adultery, this is rape. This is sexual abuse from a person, THE person, that Bathsheba should have been able to trust.

Then David tries to cover his own tracks. Uriah, the Hittite, a foreigner. David does his level best to corrupt Uriah, but the foreginer remains faithful while the anointed one digs himself deeper and deeper into the dirt until he is even willing to have the man killed.

Not the way it is supposed to be

Often we look to scripture for an example of how to live our lives

The only place we find that example in its fullness is in the person of Jesus.

Even David, the man after God’s own heart, falls short.

All too often what wee see in scripture is another story of how badly things can go wrong.

Confession & Forgiveness

Things can go right

Jesus leads the way