David's Repentance and Reversal

I. Getting marriage right the second time

David’s marriage with Bathsheba was taken about as wrong as it as possible to be. First time Bathsheba has been described as David’s wife. Previously it was “Uriah’s Wife.” (v.15)

David’s case is unusual. But other wrong marriages are more common.

Divorce and remarriage Matt 19:3-9.

Unbelievers 2 Cor 6:14-15;

Having said that, if the marriage was wrong to do, God still expect you to keep it.

1 Cor 7:12-13 Unequally yoked marriages ought to be maintained.

Deut 24:1-4 Second Marriages are real marriages.

II. Fixing marriage when you started wrong

David comforted Bathsheba his wife. This is the first time we’ve seen David do something normal and tender as a loving husband ought to do. This didn’t happen because of “true love”, as David had originally only intended a one night stand. It happened because David repented of his adultery.

This change was permanent.

David did not add any more wives - when his servants pressed him to get a caregiver at the end of his life, she wasn’t his wife and didn’t sleep with him. 1 Kings 1:1-4

David had four sons by Bathsheba, more than any other wife. That’s because he was finally dwelling with and loving her. That’s a choice.

David taught Solomon, gave him something resembling a nuclear home Prov 4:3-5; Contrast that with Adonijah 1 Kings 1:6.

Proverbs 4:3–5 NKJV

When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

1 Kings 1:6 NKJV

(And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.)

God told Saul that he was replacing him - result was Saul became a paranoid lunatic and tried to kill David; But God told David someone in his own household would do great evil against him - result was that he became the faithful father and husband he should have been. Why? David repented.

God’s standard for men is exemplified by Jesus Christ Eph 5:25-33

Ephesians 5:25–33 NKJV

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

III. God can bless after chastening

Solomon (“His peace”) and Jedidiah (Beloved by the Lord).

Not only is there a special relationship with God, but he announces it.

God does not stay angry forever. He delights to bless. Isa 57:15-16; Micah 7:18-19

Isaiah 57:15–16 NKJV

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made.

Micah 7:18–19 NKJV

Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.

IV. God remembers his promises in chastening