By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, Office for Global Engagement, University of Mobile
ACCOUNTABLE
2 Samuel 12:1–14
You know that the story is not going to end well with a beginning like this: “In the spring when kings march out to war … David remained in Jerusalem” (2 Sam. 11:1). As a prelude to this week’s focal passage, we discover that David fell prey to — or perhaps ran headlong into — the temptations which are common to humanity (1 Cor. 10:13); namely, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions” (1 John 2:16). Eve was deceived with these temptations (Gen. 3:6). David also yielded to them. Satan even had the audacity to tempt Jesus with these three (Matt. 4:1–11).
At first, David’s gaze lingered too long. He went from looking to longing — lust of the eyes. Then he invited Bathsheba to his home and his bed — lust of the flesh. Once she told him of her pregnancy, he sent for Uriah, her husband. By bringing him home to spend time with his wife, David’s sin would be covered. Uriah chose instead to guard his king’s palace at night. When David’s plan failed, he arranged to have Uriah die in battle. Finally, he generously invited a mourning, pregnant widow into his home — pride of life. No one would be the wiser.
No one else would know — except for God.
Nathan Confronts (1–4)
Nathan had God’s authority to confront David, and he did so in a way that would seize David’s attention. David had been shaped by his days as a shepherd, referred to God as his Shepherd and had a deep love for God’s Word.
The prophet took an indirect approach to his indictment by telling David a story of two men and their sheep. He had David’s attention. A wealthy man with flocks of his own took the only lamb from a poor man and slaughtered it for the benefit of his friend.
David Judges (5–6)
David was incensed. In his anger, the king called for the guilty man’s death. On second thought, he considered what the just penalty would be according to God’s law. A four-fold repayment was the appropriate compensation, according to Exodus 22:1. David acknowledged God’s Word as the final authority on justice.
The king was correct that death is the just punishment for sin. Death would enter the world as the result of disobedience to God (Gen. 2:17): “The soul that sins will die” (Ezek. 18:4); “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23a); “When sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death” (James 1:15). Only through the death of Jesus as our righteous Substitute would justice be served on our account (2 Cor. 5:21).
God Punishes (7–12)
God judges justly: sometimes immediately, sometimes within a lifetime and sometimes beyond one’s lifespan. The immediate consequence of David’s sin was the death of their firstborn son. Throughout David’s life, the sword would continually bring heartache and pain. David’s own son would defile his father’s house with brazen acts of sexuality in broad daylight. But another son with Bathsheba would succeed David as king.
David Responds (13–14)
Upon hearing these judgments, David confessed his sin, and God forgave him (see Pss. 32 and 51). Sin’s consequences would remain though. We need to understand that even after our sins are forgiven, the stains and scars of our sins linger in this world.
Herein is our hope: “we have an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:1–2).
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