A Study of David- The Anatomy of Sin

By the time we get to 2 Samuel chapter 11 we see that David has conquered most of his enemies (foreign and domestic) and is comfortably reigning from his palace.  He is so comfortable in fact that he sends other leaders off to war while he remains in Jerusalem.  David is not leading (shepherding) as he once did.  Kingship is becoming very comfortable for David.  This brings us to the familiar story of David and Bathsheba.  From the rooftop one night David catches a glimpse of a woman bathing.  He looks long enough to notice that she is beautiful.  He dwells on this to the point of sending servants to gather more information about her.  Despite learning that she is married David sends for her and then commits adultery with her.  So, the pattern is as follows:

1. Sin nature is aroused by something in the environment
2.  Thought processes feed or indulge the sin nature
3. David engages sin nature
4. Sin is committed
5. Cover-up

We will discuss the cover-up more next week along with a discussion of confession.  For now it is important to consider how temptation and sin work in out own lives.  James 1:14-15 that temptation begins with out own evil desires.  This is followed by a process of being enticed by something that "tweaks" or engages our sin nature.  Next comes a phase of enticement in which our freewill is challenged.  At this point we can direct our freewill away from the source of temptation, or we can direct our freewill toward the temptation indulging the sinful nature.  Joseph is a good example of someone who fled temptation when confronted with Potiphar's wife.  We should flee temptations and fight sins.  Instead, David fights (well, not much of a fight) temptation and flees (hides from) his sin.  James then tells us that enticement leads to sin which brings about death.

At each stage of the process we have counter steps that we can take.  First, flee temptations.  If we do not flee and the enticement process begins then we need to direct our freewill away from sin.  2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to, "...take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ."  Romans 8:5 tells us to indulge or feed the Spirit as opposed to indulging the sinful nature (see also John 14:26).  However, if we do engage in sin then we are to confess (James 5:16) and repent.

At any point in the process we can stop the momentum toward sin and direct ourselves toward God.  David chooses not to do so.  We are David.  There are times when we do likewise.  How this ultimately plays out in our lives is the subject of next week's lesson. 

A Study of David- Laid Bare Before God

We are running out of time in our study of David.  This series will wrap up at the end of May and we will be taking the summer off.  Today we skip ahead in our story to 2 Samuel chapter 6.  David has been running from Saul and fighting the Philistines.  Saul continues to defy God and rack up the consequences.  Both Saul and Johnathan are killed in battle and David works his way to the throne.  One of the first acts as king is to return the ark (which had been captured) to Jerusalem.  At the height of this military and religious triumph we find David entering his capital city dancing and frolicking jubilantly before the ark.  This outpouring of worship is so fervent that David strips down to his skivvies. 

Before we asked the question, "who are you when no one is looking?"  Now I ask, "who are you when everyone is looking?"  David is belittled by his wife who cannot believe that a king would act in such an undistinguished manner.  David defends his behavior because he was worshipping God.  David is not ashamed of his outward expression of worship.  Do we hold back in our worship?  Perhaps our own pride keeps us from fully experiencing joy filled worship.  Maybe our fear of other people's opinions keeps us from expressing ourselves in worship.  Whatever the case, we should follow the example of David and worship unashamedly.  Neither David's pride, nor the opinion of others could prevent David from praising God. 

One of the things that makes David a man after God's own heart is his willingness to lay his life bare before God (very literally in this story).  We can't hide anything from God, but it benefits us to choose to reveal ourselves to God.  Confessing our sins, expressing our emotions, sharing our thoughts with God is healthy for us. 

In conclusion, too many people blame their church for not creating the right worship experience.  They feel hindered by the lack of enthusiasm shown by their congregation.  There may even be an unspoken rule about clapping, lifting hands, or being expressive.  However, are we out to please God or men?  Shame on us if the opinions of people or the traditions of our denomination keep use from fully worshipping God.

A Study of David- Knowing God's Will

As the story of David progresses it is interesting to contrast Saul and David.  Saul becomes increasingly unstable as David becomes more and more established as a military hero.  Saul's jealousy and lack of self-control continue until he tries to kill David resulting in David going into exile.  This brings us to I Samuel 23 in which David saves the city of Keilah from the Philistines.  Saul hears that David is there and pursues him with the intent of trapping him inside the city.  In I Samuel 23:7 Saul says something very interesting.  He says, "God has handed him over to me, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars."  Saul actually believes that God is going to allow him to kill David!  This shows how out of touch Saul is with God's will.  Instead, God's favor is with David and David is able to escape the town and hide out in the wilderness.  Again, let's contrast the two.  Saul assumes he knows God's will while David consults God on every decision.

It is in the wilderness that the story gets more interesting.  In I Samuel chapter 24, David and his men are hiding in a cave when Saul comes in to relieve himself.  Passages like this remind us just how very real the Bible can be at times.  While Saul is doing his business David's men encourage him to kill Saul saying, "This is the day the Lord spoke of when He said, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.' " David has a chance to eliminate the man hunting him and replace him as king.  His followers believe that murdering Saul is God's will.  Again, these people are out of touch with the God who said, "Thou shall not kill." 

We make a mistake when we assume that just because it looks good, then it must be from God.  Let me put that differently.  Just because a job offers more money does not mean it is God's will to take it.  What if that job means more time away from home?  Is that God's will?  Sometimes we are shallow in our interpretation of God's will resulting in a "if it's good it's from God and if it is bad it is not from God" mentality.  The problem with this is that God can make good come from bad circumstances. 

David knew God intimately.  Moreover, he trusted God.  David decided to wait on God to bring about his kingship and not take matters into his own hands.  Instead, David cut off a corner of Saul's robe to prove his righteous choice.  This act of integrity results in Saul recognizing David's kingship in I Samuel 24:20.  Even Saul cannot deny that David is a man after God's own heart.

What can we conclude from this?  We need to consult God in our decisions and not assume His will.  Also, we need to evaluate our choices and make sure they are in line with the God of scripture.  Finally, we need to trust in God's timing in our lives and not force our own plans forward.