One Blot On His Record
“Because David did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.”
1 Kings 15:5
This verse summarizes David’s reign. It’s a favorable report, except for one thing.
First, let’s look first at what David did correctly:
- He did what was right in the Lord. David based his decisions on God’s word.
- He didn’t turn aside from anything God commanded him to do. It doesn’t sound like David argued with God or told Him “I’ll do that later.”
- “All the days of his life.” Consistency. David did the right things and obeyed God, not once in awhile, but all the days of his life. “EXCEPT in the case of Uriah the Hittite.”
2 Samuel 11 records what happened.
“Then it happened in the spring, 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 sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.”
2 Samuel 11:1
David stayed at home while others were in the battle.
He took a nap, and got up that evening. David took a stroll on his roof and looked toward a neighbor’s house. A beautiful lady was taking a bath.
Instead of turning away, David looked… and he looked some more.
He started to develop a plan.
Finding out from his staff that the lady’s name was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, he told them to bring her over. It didn’t matter to him that she was married!
They have relations, and she becomes pregnant.
Instead of owning up to it, David tries to cover things up, and in the process, has her husband murdered.
David later repents of his sins. Psalm 51 is left for us as a great example of a penitent prayer.
This sordid affair is way outside of the character of David.
Why did this happen?
In a nutshell, David let himself get distracted.
It’s too bad he didn’t think of what he wrote is Psalm 119:
“Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.”
Psalms 119:37
The amplified Bible says it this way:
“Turn my eyes away from vanity [all those worldly, meaningless things that distract—let Your priorities be mine], And restore me [with renewed energy] in Your ways.”
David was a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22)
Even someone close to God can be distracted and tempted.
Remember to keep your eyes focused on the Lord, submitting to His Lordship, and resisting the devil.
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
If you do these things, your record won’t have a big blot on it!
