Sermon Title: ABIDE BY THE RULES!

2 Samuel 11:1–5 NKJV

1 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 5 And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”

SERMON TITLE: ABIDE BY THE RULES

Introduction: We all have responsibilities. Parents have a responsibility to train up their children in the way that they should live life. Workers have a responsibility to work effectively while being watched or not watched. Husbands have a responsibility to love their wives like Christ love the church and honor her. Wives have a responsibility to submit to their husbands. When parents, workers, and spouses neglect their jobs, it is called being sinful.

Our responsibilities involve relationships, and rules guide our relationship. In this text, we are reminded that being dismissive to those commands is devastating.

I. DON’T DISREGARD YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES (v 1)

2 Samuel 11:1 NKJV

1 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

The Bible says, (v 1).

The spring of the year was a perfect time for reinitiating military movements. The winter storms would be over, and the ground began to dry.

Yet, Instead of fulfilling his responsibility by leading the troops, King David stayed at home.

This was not David’s usual practice look at 2 Samuel 5:6

2 Samuel 5:6 NKJV

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.”

Look at 2 Samuel 8:1-2

2 Samuel 8:1–2 NKJV

1 After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines and subdued them. And David took Metheg Ammah from the hand of the Philistines. 2 Then he defeated Moab. Forcing them down to the ground, he measured them off with a line. With two lines he measured off those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought tribute.

Look at 2 Samuel 10:17

2 Samuel 10:17 NKJV

17 When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in battle array against David and fought with him.

As we see, it was a part of David’s practice and duty to lead the army into battle.

Yet we find the king not carrying out his God-given duties

I submit to you that this DISREGARD

THIS DISMISSAL

THIS CHANGE OF COURSE set the stage for SUBSEQUENT failures.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT THIS ONE TIME WILL NOT HURT.

What responsibilities are you dismissing?

What has God entrusted to you?

Are you a disciple-maker, a teacher, a counselor, a prayer warrior, a witness, a nurturer, a giver, and a student of the Word?

Don’t disregard what God has put before your hand to do? Perform what He has given with all your might!

II. DON’T DISREGARD YOUR RELATIONSHIPS (vs. 2-3)

2 Samuel 11:2–3 NKJV

2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

According to verse 3, Bathsheba is the daughter of Eliam. The Bible discloses the connection of Eliam. He is the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, who was one of David’s trusted counselors (2 Sam 23:24).

This passage also listed E-li-am as one of David’s 37 mighty men. Furthermore, Uriah is also listed as one of the mighty men (v 39).

David had very close connections with these men and would have been acquainted with Bathsheba.

So, David's servant told him after he saw the woman washing and noticed her physique was beautiful, that she was Eliam’s daughter and Uriah's wife.

The king knew exactly who she was. Yet, he disregarded their relationship.

Their relationship should have been a source of support, comfort, and encouragement.

Friends are meant to share in times of sorrow and times of joy.

In godly relationships, people worship, serve, and pray together. Instead of valuing his connections, he disregarded them.

III. DON’T DISREGARD THE RULES (vs. 4-5)

2 Samuel 11:4–5 NKJV

4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 5 And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”

After David received information about the woman’s identity, David “sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her” (v 4).

As king, David knew better. Because he was God’s appointed leader, he was tasked to write a personal copy of the book of the law, and he should read it all the days of his life

Deuteronomy 17:18–19 NKJV

18 “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,

He knew that adultery was considered an evil thing, and is listed with all other sins like cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and bloodshed (Ho 4:2).

He also knew that the LORD gave Moses the command on the mount that committing adultery is prohibited

Exodus 20:14 NKJV

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

, and Leviticus explained the command saying, “You are not to have sexual intercourse with your neighbor’s wife, defiling yourself with her”

Leviticus 18:20 NKJV

20 Moreover you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, to defile yourself with her.

David disregarded God’s command and the consequences. The Bible says,

Proverbs 6:32–33 NKJV

32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul. 33 Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away.

Furthermore, God will judge those who violate His law.

SINGLES Those of you, who are not married, are you honoring marriage by not interfering with others marriages?

DO YOU SEE MARRIAGE AS A SACRED INSTITUTION

MARRIED Those of you, who are married, are you honoring your marriage by being faithful to your spouse

Husbands are you loving your wife as yourself and honoring her

Wives are you loving your husband and being submitting as to the LORD

ARE YOU

Conclusion: David could stay and send the troops out for battle, but did he have God's approval? The king could fetch Bathsheba and have sexual intercourse with her, but did he have God's permission? Did he listen to the Lord, or did he follow his mind? Don't have a disrespectful attitude for God's rules, but rather ask the LORD to rework your motives, renew your mind, and refine your message.