LESSON 14: DAVID'S LATTER KINGDOM - Part 1

2 Samuel 11-12

David has now conquered become king of the land, he has been approved of God; he has kept his word; he has received the Davidic Covenant; he has defeated his enemies; he has helped his friends and foes alike. He has done all that he could to care for the things of God.

He has seen much victory and success in his life up this point. Yes, he has made some mistakes along the way; but which of us have not made some blunders, sinful misguided mistakes. But tonight, we see his life come to a halt, where trial after trial, all of his own making, he must face.

While we have been talking much about the fact that David brought a flood of light of who Christ would be, this night and the lessons to follow portray David as a sinful man.

If someone like David can fall; so can we.

So may we not come to this section of scripture think small of David, but rather – learn from his mistakes so we don’t cause the ruin of our own families.

I. David’s Sin

Our God hates sin, he cannot look upon it. Yours, mine or even David’s.

It doesn’t matter if it is stealing and then lying about it or adultery and murder, God hates sin.

A. His negligence

Negligence starts when we do not keep God and His Word close to our hearts.

We are in a battle, Satan is trying to busy our lives to a point that we are no longer spending significant time in the Word of God. We are at an impass, for lives are nearly shipwrecked all over.

To not be negligent, one must remember what the Lord has said:

2 Peter 1:12 AV

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

2 Peter 3:1 AV

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

Romans 14:15 AV

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

B. His Idleness

The Bible says here in verse 1:

2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

Idleness has bad consequences. Poverty Pro 19:15, gossip 1 Tim 5:13.

Godly people don’t like idleness.

Proverbs 31:27 AV

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

It was the iniquity of Sodom

Ezekiel 16:49 (AV)

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Since David was idle, he then used his time to start wandering around. And when we get bored with our eyes, our curiosity grabs hold, and we look at things that ought not to.

The sin of Achan was when he lusted after some nice things in Joshua 7:21.

C. His Lust and further sin

Lust always leads to more sin if it is not repented of.

Ephesians 4:22 AV

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

He acted upon his lust

Be careful of self-indulgence – to think you are justified to partake of something forbidden or that God has strictly said no to.

Matthew 5:28 AV

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

D. He didn’t see the consequences

James 1:14–15 (AV)

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Galatians 6:7–8 (AV)

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

E. His cover-up

Somehow, after all of this has happened, David thinks that he can cover it up. His mind starts working and rather than get right, he devises a plan to deliver himself or cover up his wicked deed.

It is amazing how fast that our wicked hearts can come up with a coverup for our sin as well.

He called Uriah back home, but Uriah’s character was honorable

Vv. 10-11 He refused the first night – notice vv.10-11

Then the second night David gets him drunk, and look what Uriah does again: vv.12-13

Does this extreme devotion and character remind you of anyone? It reminds me of David when he was young and zealous.

But rather than waking up to the similar character of Uriah to David:

3. He sent Uriah to be killed in battle

Vv. 14-17

The character of Uriah continues in caring a letter that was his death sentence.

F. His lack of remorse

David has opportunity to repent but does not. He has time, but doesn’t use it wisely.

Uriah is now dead, there was no repentance

The blood of Uriah was on his hands, and still he didn’t confess his sin and turn from it.

After mourning for her husband, David takes Bathsheba as wife, still no repentance

II. David’s Judgment

2 Samuel 12:1-25

No remorse at this point, he covered up his sin, his hear, while not hard – was I believe justifying itself. So judgment comes.

1 Corinthians 11:31 AV

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

A. Nathan’s parable

vv.1-4

Much in that Christ would use, Nathan uses a parable to illustrate the sin of and debauchery of the act of David. He uses real life situations to communicate the truth that needed telling.

We as preachers often try to use illustrations to communicate the message to people. It is to help the see the application easily.

Unfortunately, in our day, the illustration is focused upon more than the message.

I have been to conferences where the illustration was the message, and the scripture was just quoted at the beginning.

Whenever an illustration is used, it ought to be used to enhance the scripture, to help the scripture come alive, not replace the scripture.

1. The ewe lamb

Once again, a quick glimpse of Christ.

2.The poor man’s care

3. The rich man’s wicked deed

The rich man no doubt valued his own property, but this was his problem, he did not value the property of others. He saw the sheep of the poor man and stole it and used it for himself. Though he had many of his own, he stole the other man’s only sheep.

Such wickedness of self-centered prideful indulgent ones results in these things:

(1) They take liberties that are not their own

(2) They uses others for their own promotion

David did that with Bathsheba. Then he turned around and tried to treat Uriah with honor and respect, and then when he saw he was of no use to him anymore and only a liability, he had him killed

B. David’s self-condemning proclamation

vv.5-6

The man would have repay for the lamb fourfold, The cost of sin is never worth it. Little did David know that his proclamation was against himself.

C. The boldness of Nathan’s condemnation

vv.7-12

One thing I enjoy about Nathan, he had guts. Can you imagine walking in on the king of the land and rebuking him. That took guts.

He was a man that was going to speak the truth.

1. God has given you so much v.8

2. But you have despised his commandment v.9

3. A curse you have earned vv.10-11

a. The Sword will not depart

b. One of your own house will rise up against you

c. It will be out there for all to see

Now the Bible teaches us that our children will not be punished for our sin, but there sure are residual effects that will cause them great harm, and those that are around us.

D. David’s repentance vv.13-14

We have come to this before. Several times we have seen David repent.

David knew what he needed to do and did not procrastinate. God is always right and man is always wrong.

Psalm 103:14 AV

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

o True repentance realized the depth of sin

o True repentance realizes that it is something that is not to be returned to.

o True repentance makes right with the one that is wronged and God is always the first one wronged in all sin.

E. God’s instant forgiveness

Friends, God’s forgiveness is ready and efficacious. It has already been purchased on the cross of calvary.

Jonah 1:9 AV

And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.

1 John 2:2 AV

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

You don’t have to earn it; you don’t have to work to keep it, he freely gives it.

You don’t have to work your way to it – it is already paid for and you can have it this instant.

III. David’s fourfold sentence starts to be carried out

vv.15-23

Numbers 32:23 AV

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

A. The death of the child with Bathsheba

It was seven days later

David humbly accepts his punishment

He does everything he can; relying on the mercy of God

He shows that babies that die are still in innocence

B. Tamar would be raped by his son Amnon

C. Absalom murders Amnon

D. Joab murders Absalom

IV. GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE ENDURE

vv.24-25

Solomon is born

He is beloved of the Lord, Jedidiah