2 Samuel 11

"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.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...And Uriah said to David, 'The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.'" vv.1-2,11


Read chapter 11

We can contrast three different characters that play different parts in this well known chapter of David's sin.

Look first at David: Why wasn't David out at the battle? It says it was the "time when kings go out to battle" in verse 1. Was this more of a planned sin than a fall in the moment? Also he tries to cover up his sin with more sin by having Uriah killed.

Now there's Bathsheba: Why was she bathing in the open to be able to even be seen? Did she fall for David because he was the handsome young celebrity king?

Then Uriah: His response is the opposite of David's response during this time of battle comparing verse one of David's response and verse 11 of Uriah's response. He's even one of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23), not just a "nobody" in the Israelite army.


Which of the three do you relate to? How have you been like a David, a Bathsheba, a Uriah?