126. David's Sin

David’s Sin (2 Samuel 11:27) This chapter gives us the account of the downfall of a "man after God’s own heart." He had been surrendered to the will of God, was a generous, kind man, and desired much to keep in God’s plan for his life. But, he fell in a moment of weakness. He got his eyes off God and God’s Word, he played with temptation; and one sin led to another to cover up the first. His sin led him down, down to the deepest depths of vileness and dishonor. He committed one of the most outrageous crimes one man ever committed against another.

There is no use trying to excuse this sin to sceptics, there is absolutely no excuse. God did not excuse him, but sent His prophet to rebuke him saying: "By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme" (2 Samuel 12:14). The people considered David a very great man, a great hero, and unless the Bible writers had been guided by God Himself, they surely would have tried to cover up David’s contemptible sin. But the Bible does not do so, and thank God for it, the Bible exposes the sin and holds up the sinner as a warning.

David was forgiven, but he drank very deeply from the bitter cup he had prepared for himself. David suffered through his children what was just the fruit of his own terrible sin, and he was perfectly conscious of it. This part of David’s life story, however, has given hope to many a lost sinner to ask, "Is there pardon for me?" Yes, for you. David found mercy and pardon. So can any one who so desires.