Repentant Heart (Revised 6-25)

The Slippery Slope of Sin

How did a man after God’s own heart end up committing such atrocious acts as adultery, murder, and conspiracy?

Compromise (5:12-13)

David began to multiply concubines to himself in the midst of God’s blessing. Something that God had told Israel not to allow their kings to do (Deut. 17:17). It was a “little” compromise. - 2 Samuel 5:12–13 “...David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.”

David was not thankful for the wife God had granted and it led to sin of passion. Thanksgiving, gratefulness can keep us from falling into the trap of lust and sin. Colossians 3:15 “15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Complacency (11:1-2)

He should have been out leading the army, but allowed himself a life of ease.

He should have avoided the rooftop in the evening, but placed himself in a position to be tempted.

Conviction (Ignored) (11:3-4)

David received warning from his servant, but he had put God out of his mind and was too full of passion to listen. “she is the wife of Uriah.” Both her father and her husband were part of David’s mighty men. Her grandfather was David’s chief counselor. He should have known better, but he was blinded by his lust.

James 1:13–15 ESV

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Cover-Up (5-13)

Just as he sent for her, now she sends word to him, she’s pregnant.

This was a chance to confess and repent, instead he sought to cover his sin. Proverbs 28:13 “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

David concocts a plan to cover his sin, but Uriah has more integrity than David at this point. He will not enjoy pleasure while his men are in the battlefield.

Conspiracy (14-27)

David’s plan ends in conspiracy to kill Uriah. It results in the death of many of his men and the involvement of Joab in his murderous plot.

David thinks that everything is taken care of, but it was “evil in the eyes of the Lord.”

David’s fellowship with the Lord was broken and he entered a period of emptiness in his soul.

Psalm 32:2–4 ESV

2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

The Sure Path of Salvation

Confrontation (1-9)

Sin must be exposed and called what it is. “He that covers his sin will not prosper.”

The prophet tells a story to describe the horror of David’s sin.

David needed to understand the horror of what he had done.

He had lusted and committed adultery, abusing his power.

He had murdered many men to cover his sin.

He had “despised the command of the Lord.” This was the greatest sin.

We need to understand the offense of our sin against God’s holy righteousness.

1 John 1:8 ESV

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Consequences (10-12, 14)

Though David was forgiven, the consequences for his sin were not removed. Why? Because he had publicly brought dishonor to God’s name.

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”

David ruined another man’s family, now he would repay four-fold.

His baby would die.

His son Amnon would rape his daughter Tamar.

His son Absolom would kill Amnon.

Absolom would be killed in battle, by the same man you carried out David’s order to kill Uriah.

Sin leaves a scar in David’s life, but it is a reminder of its heavy price.

The Lord Jesus bears the scars of our sin as an eternal reminder of his great sacrifice!

Confession (13)

David acknowledged his great sin against the Lord.

Sin may offend other people, but the greatest offense is against the Lord, who made all things.

Confession acknowledges the error of our ways and our offense against God.

Psalm 51:3–4 NKJV

For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

Confession seeks restored relationship with God. (Psalm 51:10-12)

Confession is done in humility before God (Psalm 51:14-17)

Confession receives God’s mercy and forgiveness. David deserved death, but God is gracious.

2 Samuel 12:13 ESV

David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

Comfort (22-25)

The child grew sick and David sought the Lord in grief. The child died and David went sought comfort from the Lord in worship.

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God is just. He is just in his dealing with our sin, and he is just in His making us righteous.

God is faithful - in keeping his covenant and his promise of eternal life.

Though David’s baby son dies, David has the assurance that he will one day be reunited with him because God is faithful. God’s mercy is eternal, not just temporary in this life.

God was faithful to David in keeping his covenant promise and setting his love upon Solomon.

God is gracious - in forgiving and cleansing us from sin.