November 23, 2025
Sermon Part 3A: The Story of David and Bathsheba: “Oh, the Trove of Treasure That Dwells Within the Truth!”
In II Samuel 5:11-12, we read that Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house (palace). And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake. The Palace was the most impressive building in Jerusalem at the time, and served as a symbol of David’s unified kingdom.
There was only one problem, metaphorically speaking, David did not make certain that his house had proper “insulation” against the adversary Satan who sought to devour him and the royal family.
Good Morning Saints of the Most-High God!
Introduction
As we continue with the story of David and Bathsheba, from last week’s Sermon, let us keep afresh in our thinking that David was “Anointed” by God to be King over Israel. The Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth was upon David all the days of his life, even through his many shortcomings. God also established with David an “unconditional” Covenant recorded at II Samuel 7:12-16 and I Chronicles 17. The Davidic Covenant as it’s called, is a one-sided grant of God’s Promise, and demonstration of His grace toward David and his descendants.
Specifically, God Promised David a lineage of kings, which would establish a royal dynasty that would govern the people of Israel. The Covenant included the Promise that David’s “house” and kingdom would be established forever, with his throne set to last eternally. God also declared that He would establish a Father-Son relationship with David’s seed (son) who would build God’s House; God would love and provide discipline to the son if he committed iniquity, and would never take His Spirit away from him, as He had done with the former king Saul.
The ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant is found in Jesus Christ, who is the descendant of David. Jesus Christ is the Promised Messiah who reigns eternally and established the New Covenant, and when Christ establishes His Kingdom on earth in the Millennium, David resurrected from the dead with a glorified body (along with all of the Saints), will be the eternal king (prince) who rules over Israel under Jesus Christ’s reign for a thousand years.
As stated last week, Satan the adversary of God, and God’s people, targets for attack all those who God makes Covenant with. (Adam, Abraham, Noah, and Jesus Christ Himself are examples.) He always attacks God’s Covenant partner at the “central tenant/Promise” of the Covenant. In David’s case, Satan, who roams the earth as a lion seeking whom he may devour sought to destroy David’s “House.”
Satan desired to destroy not only the physical palatial Palace made of cedar wood of King David’s, but even more so David’s “spiritual house;” his heart fashioned after God. To turn David away from being “a man after God’s own heart,” to a man after Satan’s own heart.” His ultimate ambition was to turn David into an idolater, thereby blocking and stopping him from reaping all of the Covenant Blessings that God had bestowed upon him. While Satan knows the Davidic Covenant is unconditional and cannot not be stopped, his evil has no boundary and his twisted wisdom is always to tempt mankind with a lie against the Truth, to provoke a man to sin and practice it until he loses trust in God and His Word, separates himself from God, reaps the consequences of his actions, and ultimately falls short of God’s Perfect Will and Promises.
With David, Satan sought to use “circumstances” to influence sin; to ignite his lust for Bathsheba and lead David to commit adultery, cover it up with murder of her husband Uriah and suffer severe consequences from God. Let me say right here Saints, that in every circumstance we find ourselves in, good or evil, God has given to human beings a free will to (1) make a choice (possibilities/options), (2) make a decision to act on the specific choice, and (3) become recipients of the consequences of either positive or negative outcomes that result from the decision made.
As such, the Only True God has given to His People a great secret on how to live a long satisfied life of health and prosperity. Check out what God said through Moses to the children of Israel, recorded at Deuteronomy 30:19-20:
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
In short, we are to choose God, wholly love God, obey God, and cleave only to God; and the supernatural life of God will grant us health, prosperity, and longevity in the earth according to the Covenant God made with Abraham and his seed. I will also tell you in advance that God watches over us to see how we respond to the consequences of our actions (right or wrong). As we will see in next week’s Sermon, David’s wrong choices with Bathsheba would lead to serious negative consequences, not only for himself but also for the royal family. But, God then uses the failures of David to strengthen his faith in God and provide to him a trove of treasure that resides within the Truth for himself and every believer in God in Christ to use when ensnared by evil.
The Story of David and Bathsheba’s Infidelity Up-Close and Personal
Let’s take a close-up look at the encounter between David and Bathsheba, as recorded at II Samuel 11:1-27. I will offer my commentary and Bible Commentary as we go through the story. But please Saints, I remind you to only view the incident from God’s Perspective. David is God’s servant and He watches over him all the days of his life, even throughout David’s foolishness. Let us read:
11 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
(Joab, was the nephew of David and commander of the army. Likely, this was either during the spring or fall months that David commissioned his troops to go to battle as it would be more favorable weather. As the military leader, David should have been leading the troops into battle as God intended him to do. Instead, he chose to stay at home. If he had he chosen to go to war the incident with Bathsheba would never have happened.)
2 And it came to pass in an evening-tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
(Here we see the “circumstance” for the event of sin arising. The “evening-tide” refers to the period of time of evening, from sunset to dusk. This was a religiously significant period, a time for prayer, meditation, communion with God, and other observances like sacrifices. But, also this is the time when demonic activity of sin, darkness, disease, and suffering seek to prevail across the earth. David should have had his mind stayed on God and used the evening-watch to commune with God rather than choosing to follow after the dictates (lust) of his human flesh where Satan could tempt him to sin. I will keep him in “perfect peace” whose mind is stayed on me, because he trust in me is God’s Promise. (Is. 26:3)
From the Palace roof-top, looking downward, David sees Bathsheba who was very beautiful bathing in her courtyard at ground level. Bible Commentary states the courtyards would have had a high wall for privacy and concluded that Bathsheba did not know she was being watched. It was customary for women to bathe themselves after their time of ministration. However, other Commentary questions whether Bathsheba was blameless in her choice of place to bathe; some have called her a conniving woman and suggests she positioned herself in eye-sight of the King’s Terrace hoping to be seen by David.)
3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
(Eliam, Bathsheba’s father, was one of David’s mighty warriors and Uriah her husband as well. Bathsheba’s name in Hebrew conveys the meanings: “daughter of oath or seven (perfection),” or “daughter of covenant, abundance, or wealth.” We should also note Bible Commentary states that it was customary, if a king sent for a woman of romantic interest, that some promise or gifting would accompany the request of her company. When summoned, the king would give to her an apartment within the Palace.)
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
(Some Clergy have posited that David sexually forced himself on Bathsheba. However, the Text says Bathsheba, “came in unto him (David), and he lay with her.” This suggests that both parties were willing participants in the adultery. They both chose and made a decision to have sexual intercourse that resulted in the consequence of her getting pregnant. After they had sex, Bathsheba returned to her house, which suggests she planned to continue with her marriage with Uriah and keep the affair with David secret. However, when Bathsheba got pregnant she immediately told David, which reinforces her possible aspirations for a position in the Palace and her offspring being a part of the royal family.)
6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
(According to the Law of Moses, the punishment for adultery was death by stoning. (Lev. 20:10 & Deut.22:24) David’s plan was to cover up the affair by having Uriah return home from battle to Bathsheba with the idea that he would have sex with his wife, and he could claim the child belonged to the married couple. David favored Uriah with an abundance of delectable foods from the King’s Table meant to show honor and encourage Uriah to go home to his wife.)
9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
(What a man, what a man, what a mighty Good Man! Uriah was faithful to God, Israel, and to his fellow soldiers in battle. Uriah chose and made the decision to do the right thing. This would have been a good time for David to look in the mirror and examine his motives and turn from his devious plan, but it only spurred within him several more actions of evil in an effort to keep the Truth from coming out, by any means necessary.)
12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here today also, and tomorrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
(Faithful Uriah was sent forth to Joab with his own death notice ordered by David.)
16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
(David’s response to Uriah’s death was flippant and insensitive. He showed no grief for Uriah; a good man and soldier with strong spiritual character. David had become callous to his own sin. The only way to cover up his first sin (adultery) was to sin again and soon he no longer felt guilt for what he had done. The secrecy surrounding his behavior is what strengthened its hold on him. Deliberate, repeated sinning had dulled David’s sensitivity to God’s laws and other’s rights.)
26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
(While Bathsheba was complicit in having an affair with David and getting pregnant, she knew nothing of David’s plan to murder Uriah. It was customary that wives mourned their husband’s death through communal and individual practices, including wearing sackcloth, fasting, lamentation, and sometimes engaging professional mourners to lead wailing. They would also tear their clothes, neglect personal grooming like oiling their hair, and remain in somber attire to show their deep sorrow and respect for the lost husband for between 7 to 30-days. Bible Commentary states Bathsheba mourned her husband about 7-days, then showed herself willing to quickly marry David to hide her pregnancy.)
27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
And, so there you have it Saints. At this point in the story it would appear David’s devious plan to keep the Truth secret that he had committed both adultery and murderer had worked. In the eyes of the public of Israel, Uriah died heroically in battle, and now by the Law of Moses, David was permitted to remarry his widow. Oh, how relieved David must have felt in his emotions to have this all behind him. Also, Bathsheba, in her ambitions, while sadden by the death of Uriah, had been elevated to Queen of Israel and by the side of the mighty King of Israel David, and life in the Palace with its opulence and abundance she would enjoy. Likely, in her heart she had aspirations that her new born son would one day succeed David as king. As they walked hand in hand before the people of Israel, the couple was celebrated as King and Queen of Israel in honor and majesty and power.
With the exception of Joab, who was resigned to keep David’s secret about Uriah’s murder for selfish motives, only David knew the whole story of how he stole Bathsheba. The “secret sins” of adultery, murder of Uriah, and the child that had resulted from the affair he buried deep within himself. Bathsheba also would hold the secret sin of adultery and how she illegitimately conceived the son in her heart, and no one else would be the wiser. David’s “spiritual house,” (heart) was infected with great sin and on fire, but the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth remained upon him. Wherever David would go and whatever he would do, he could never escape the Truth. Yes, the Truth always knows the whole story, which no man can get ahead of no matter how rich and powerful he may be.
While it seemed all would be well for David and Bathsheba, the Scripture says, “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” Saints, rest assured, whenever the Only True God is displeased with a person’s actions there will be negative consequences reaped. The Apostle Paul wrote at Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7) When a man sows to his flesh he will reap corruption.
David thought all would be well after he married Bathsheba, but he failed to reckon with the Only True God, the Judge of all who demands Truth and justice on the part of His servants. David’s lust led him to break each one of the Ten Commandments, as well as another critical Law of Moses we will discuss shortly. Next week, we will examine the consequences of David’s sins. But, for now I want to focus on the “House” of David and discover the nexus of why this great sin happened. Simply put, David committed adultery and murder because his spiritual and natural “House” lacked “insulation” from the attack of the enemy Satan. The Law of God, the insulation against sin, was missing from David’s heart and frankly, had been absent for a long time!
David’s House Lacked Insulation Which Led Him to Take Many Wives and Concubines to Himself
In today’s world, a house built and maintained without proper insulation is subject to many problems that can adversely impact homeowners and those who dwell therein.
Houses that lack proper insulation can experience increased energy bills due to heating and cooling systems working harder along with uncomfortable conditions, increased risk of moisture-related problems like condensation, mold, and ice dams. Other consequences can include structural damage, reduced property value, increased noise pollution, higher risk to health, and even pest infestations. Moreover, long-term, houses without insulation become an eye-sore to the community!
In Ancient builders of David’s time, insulation as we know it had not yet been invented. Builders of David’s House would have relied on construction methods such as thick walls, sometimes made of stone to provide natural thermal regulation. According to II Samuel 5:11, King David’s Palace was built with cedar logs supplied by Hiram, the king of Tyre. Archaeological evidence suggests high quality stone was used, including impressive hewn and ashlar stones, and indicates skilled Phoenician carpenters and masons were brought in for construction of the home. While the Palace was palatial and made comfortable, the best in all of the land by human building standards at that time, both David’s “material house” and “spiritual house” (his heart) sorely lacked the kind of insulation every King appointed by God would need to keep evil from invading the premises and wreaking havoc in the life of David and the royal family.
David’s physical and spiritual house lacked the Law of God within it, and resulted in him having many wives and concubines in the Palace. The worst thing the servant of God can have in his life is for multiple women vying for his heart; ever seeking attention, time, honor, affection, money, and satisfaction! Loving or pretending to love multiple women can take a huge toll on the mental health state of a man and drive him into a state of lust for beauty and sexual pleasure; resulting in selfish indulgence that blinds him from knowledge of true love and intimacy that can only be found in the one woman God has uniquely designed as his complete help-meet for life.
When a man chooses to have sexual intercourse with a woman outside of the marriage covenant as God designed from the beginning, he forms a spiritual union with the sex-partner; taking on her spirit. (I Cor. 6:15-18) Housed within the spirit of David were untold numbers of spirits of other women, which ultimately caused him to reap corruption in his flesh. In Psalm 38, David reflects and laments from his heart about his disease-riddled body caused by his iniquities, which he called “foolishness!” (Ps. 38:1-8) In the sight of God, and His Perfect Will, there can only be a “king and queen” to lead the nation of Israel.
However, David as King, had a “knack” for collecting wives and concubines. He chose, as king Saul had done, as well as other kings of pagan nations to have a harem, which undoubtedly stroked his ego. According to II Samuel 3:2-5, David had six wives (all of whom bore him children) while in Hebron, before he became King over all Israel. After he came out of Hebron, and built his house in Jerusalem he took an unknown number more concubines and wives out of the city, and had sons and daughters born to him. (II Sam.5:13) Mentioned in Scripture, living in Jerusalem, David had a total of 8 wives and at least 10 concubines.
David chose and made the decision to take many wives for several reasons. According to some Bible Commentaries, a few of the women David expressed love and devotion towards. While other wives he took for the purpose of strengthening political and military alliances with other kingdoms, as well as because social norms at the time accepted the practice of polygamy, which was partly driven by practical needs for children and labor. However, we can see David’s whole-hearted trust in God weakening, given he felt the need to by his own actions, to strengthen political and military alliances with other nations. David had forgotten that since his youth, God had given him supernatural victories over bears and lions, the giant Goliath and the Philistines, as well as many other nations.
While polygamy was by no means God’s Perfect Will, in ancient times, in dealing with men called into His service, God by “Permissive Will” sometimes gave to his servants wives to provide for and to protect the women who might otherwise be left without a husband. Like in the case of David, at one point, through divine provision and justification God gave to him the wives of Saul at his death. (II Sam.12:8) But, in every instance of polygamy recorded in the Bible, it caused serious problems within the family structure. Why? Because the Truth is God designed marriage for “one man and one woman,” to become “One” flesh! (Gen. 2:24)
The following are the names and brief summaries of the 7-wives of King David in Jerusalem identified in Scripture, the “eighth” wife Bathsheba we have discussed. Of the seven wives, five are mentioned only once in the Bible. The other two wives figured prominently in the story of King David.
David’s first wife was Michal, the daughter of King Saul. Her story begins in I Samuel Chapters 18-19. Saul gave Michal to David to marry after David defeated a hundred Philistines. He required the foreskins of 100-Philistines for Michal to be his bride, and David surpassed the bride-price by presenting 200- foreskins. But, Saul, jealous and fearful of the young David’s popularity with the people, plotted to kill his new son-in-law. However, Michal, who loved David, warned him of the plot and helped him escape. Following this, Saul gave Michal to another man named Phaltiel. (I Samuel 25:44)
After David became King, Michal was restored as his wife. David sent message by Abner (his commander) to Ish-bosheth, the son of King Saul, demanding the return of Michal his wife. In a poignant scene, Phaltiel, cried after he was separated from Michal and followed her weeping as far as Bahurim. But then was told by Abner, a commander of David’s, to return home and he complied. While the Bible indicates Michal loved David, Bible Commentary is mixed on whether David loved her. Some Commentary points to David’s actions of exceeding the bride-pride of the Philistine foreskins and David’s desire and efforts to have Michal returned to him after he was made King, as proof of his love for her. Other Commentary notes that while there was mutual attraction between the couple, David’s motives for marrying Michal were political, as he sought to become King Saul’s son in law. This would allow him to legitimately lay claim to the throne through marriage, strengthen his position in the eyes of the public, and later help him consolidate power after Saul’s death. Scripture directly mentions this as his reason for marrying Michal. (I Sam.18:18-27)
While living in Jerusalem with David, there was much turmoil. Notably, as mentioned last week, recorded at II Samuel 6:14-22, as David with great joy and zeal and wearing an ephod danced before the Lord while escorting the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, that Michal saw him from a Palace window and came down to scold him. She said to David, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!”
Bible Commentary states Michal viewed David’s dancing as vulgar, lacking royal decorum, and a disregard for his kingly position, as he stripped off his outer royal garments. However, this disdain likely had much deeper roots, potentially stemming from Michal’s resentment of David’s kingship, as she was Saul’s daughter and had not fully accepted David’s divinely appointed rule. She may also have resented David paying so much whole-hearted devotion to God in worship, and not giving her the kind of attention that her other husband Phaltiel had given her in their marriage. II Samuel 6 concludes with Michal being struck with barrenness, symbolizing the consequence of her scorn and rejection of God’s chosen King. As God’s Anointed, Michal’s words not only were intended to harm David, but also God. (Ps.105:15)
The story of David’s second wife of note, Abigail, is recorded in I Samuel 25. She was originally the wife of Nabal, an evil man who disrespected David. In his anger, David planned to attack and kill Nabal and all his household. Abigail, a wise and prudent woman, met David as he and his men were approaching. She bowed down to him and convinced him not to seek revenge and cause bloodshed. David recognized that her good judgment was a gift to him from God. Abigail returned to Nabal and told him how close he had come to death. Nabal’s “heart failed him and he became like stone.” (V. 37)
Ten days later, God struck Nabal and he died, and Abigail then became David’s wife. Bible Commentary states that there were indications of love between David and Abigail, with Scripture suggesting they had a deep mutual admiration and a foundational love based on shared values. While David's motivations for marriage included attraction and admiration for Abigail’s wisdom and beauty, the relationship also had a divine aspect, as he considered her a God-sent person who had saved him from a rash act. The other five named wives of David in Jerusalem were Ahinoam, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. (II Sam. 3:2-5 & I Chron. 3:1-3).
David also had an untold number of concubines who also bore him children. In ancient times, a concubine was a woman who lived with a man in a long-term relationship outside of legal marriage, often as a “secondary wife,” and who held a lower social status than a primary wife. Historically, reasons for taking a concubine included bearing heirs for a barren wife, increasing family size, providing sexual companionship, or as a status symbol. While concubines could have some rights, their legal and social standing was inferior to that of a full wife.
David Happily Made Truth Apart of Jerusalem, But Left the Truth Out of His Own Home
On that great day when King David danced before the Lord with all of his might as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem by all the people of Israel with great shouting and sounding of the trumpet, they placed the Ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it, and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. (II Sam. 6:15-17)
David showed great respect and honor for the Ark of the Covenant, recognizing it as the sacred symbol of God's Presence and Power among his people. His reverence is most famously demonstrated through his two attempts to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, a journey marked by both initial failure and eventual joyous success. Saints, recall David’s first effort to move the Ark from the house of Abinadab ended in tragedy, which instilled in him a deeper sense of fear and respect for God's holiness. The story is recorded in II Samuel Chapters 6 and I Chronicles 13.
David’s first method was flawed as he did not consult the Mosaic Law for instructions on how to transport the Ark. While the 10-Commandments were kept inside the Ark, the larger Book of the Law, which contained the other ceremonial and civil laws, was placed “beside the Ark,” by the Levites as a witness against the Israelites. Instead of having the Levites carry the Ark using poles on their shoulders as prescribed in the Law, he placed it on a new oxcart, similar to how the Philistines had returned it. When the oxen stumbled, a man named Uzzah instinctively reached out to steady the Ark and prevent it from falling. For this irreverent act, God struck him dead on the spot.
Uzzah's death filled David with anger and fear. He immediately halted the procession, saying, "How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?" (II Sam. 6:9) He realized that good intentions were not enough, and that God's holy Commands had to be followed precisely. David’s second attempt was successful. After a three-month delay, David was assured that the Ark's Presence could bring blessings, not just judgment, when he learned that Obed-Edom's household had been blessed while housing the Ark. Following God’s Law, for his second attempt, David correctly ordered the Levites to carry the Ark on their shoulders, as Commanded in the Law. As a sign of thanksgiving, he offered sacrifices every six steps along the way. David set up a special tent for the Ark in Jerusalem, making the city not only the political capital, but also the “spiritual heart” of Israel. David’s reverence for the Ark extended beyond the initial procession. He appointed Levites to lead continuous worship before it, featuring music and praise. This established a culture of uninterrupted worship and placed an emphasis on the Presence of God.
So David and Israel had established the Ark which contained the 10 Commandments and all of the Book of the Law of Moses beside it in the city of Jerusalem. However, in like manner of how David did not follow the instructions in the Law regarding transporting the Ark on the first try, he also had not been following instructions in the Law since being made a King in Hebron regarding a prohibition against a king having multiple wives. While David had respect and honor for God’s Presence represented by the Ark and the Law of Moses to make it the spiritual city of Jerusalem. He failed to bring the Law “home” to guide his marital life, and insulate himself against polygamy, and live according to the Perfect Will of God.
Let’s take a look at the Law of Moses given to the children of Israel regarding guidelines for a king of Israel, with special note regarding instructions against having multiple wives, recorded in Deuteronomy 17:14-20.
14 When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;
15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
According to the Law of Moses, the king of Israel was not to multiply horses, wives, nor gold and silver to himself. All these things were practices of pagan kings and nations that made a king believe/trust in his own strength and wealth and led them to practice idolatry. Yea, God had said thou shall have no other god besides me. (Ex. 20:3) Specifically regarding the king and marital relations, in Verse 17, God instructed that Israel’s king must not have multiple wives to himself. The Only True God knew that multiplying wives would lead to sensuality and idolatry and then apostasy. (Ex.34:16) This is exactly what happened in King Solomon’s reign. (I Ki. 11:1-13)
The collection of multiple wives was customary among all oriental monarchs; but for Israel, God was demanding a higher standard of morals in its chosen king, than seen among his equals in other nations. God wanted the Law to transform his king’s thinking and living, rather than to conform to sinful and damnable practices of other nation’s kings, so that they might receive unto themselves that good, acceptable, and perfect Will of God. (Rom.12:1-2)
However, in every conceivable way, David’s choice and decision to collect multiple wives and concubines stood as a “lie” against the Truth that God established the Marriage Covenant between “one man and one woman.” This was the enemies attack against God’s Word, the Truth, and David had made himself wholly apart of the lie. Nowhere in David’s Palace was there a handwritten copy of the Law regarding the kingly requirements, nor did he choose to meditate on the Law day and night all the days of his life as required.
Thus, in the “evening-tide” on the day when David saw Bathsheba bathing, he had no insulation in his heart and mind to tread-down on his lust for her. For so long, David had been lusting after multiple women and taking them as wives and concubines that he never considered God’s Law, and instead was out-of-control.
The most important thing God told the kings of Israel that sat upon the throne of the kingdom to do according to the Law is captured in Verse 18. They were to “write a copy of this law that was kept with the Levite priests, and keep it with them in their house (palace) and read it all the days of their lives: that they might learn to fear the Lord God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes and do them! That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren and that he not turn aside from the Commandment, so that he might prolong his days in the kingdom and his seed after him.”
Without the Law hidden, rehearsed, and practiced in King David’s heart, from the time he married his first wife (Michal) in Hebron, he lacked insulation to resist taking multiple wives and concubines to himself. Satan had free-course to tempt David to take wives and concubines to satisfy unquenchable lusts for sex, power, and political and military gains. Without the Law to guide David, more and more he would rely on military might and strength in numbers of people within his kingdom, which later led him to take a census of Israel’s fighting men, without God’s approval. (II Sam. 24:1-17) As noted before, David did not need to worry about Israel’s military might compared to other nations because the Only True God was with him, and would always fight for him and give Israel the victory.
My, my my! The “one thing” the kings of Israel needed to do to prosper and have good success, they systematically neglected: To meditate continually on the Law of Moses regarding the duties of the king. (Jos. 1:8-9 & Ps.1:3) The Bible mentions no judge or king of Israel keeping the Law from Joshua to David; about a 600-year period. David was the first king to reference this program to Solomon. Although not at all observed during his personal reign over Israel, from his death bed David admonished Solomon with these words:
3 And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself. (I Kings 2:3)
After this communication, nothing is said about keeping the Law until 60-years or more in Asa’s reign. (II Chron.14:4) Years later, a copy of the Law was found in the Temple by King Josiah who sought to obey it. (II Kings. 22:8-23; 25) Kings Jehoshaphat took heed to the Law (II Chron.17:9), also Hezekiah (II Chron. 30:16; 31:3-4, 21). Nearly all others of the 23 kings of Judah ignored the Law, as did all the kings of the northern kingdom except Jehu. (II Kings.10:31, II Chron. 12:1, 15:3, II Kings. 17:13, 34-37)
In conclusion, while polygamy was practiced by David and other figures in the Old Testament, his experiences and the rest of the Biblical Canon do not present it as the ideal for marriage. David’s choice and decision to acquire multiple wives and concubines, as his predecessor king Saul, showed that he failed to follow the Law of God concerning kings, and ultimately left his heart ripe and open for the ambush of Satan to tempt him to sin with Bathsheba. God’s design and Perfect Will for men is to have one holy-wife, and not a harem of women.
Little by little, as David took wives and concubine to himself, his heart became more harden against God’s design for marriage, and sensual pleasures and political and military ambitions dominated his thought-life. By the time David met Bathsheba, the most beautiful woman in all of Israel, he could not resist the temptation to have sex with her, as his lust was already far out of control.
Satan only needed the circumstance to be created to present irresistible temptation to David to have sex with Bathsheba. The “arrogance” of his sin and selfishness would then lead him to plot to cover up the sin when it became known she was pregnant, to get Uriah drunk in hopes he would go down to his house, to have him set-up and assassinated on the battlefield, and to wed Bathsheba shortly after mourning her husband’s death.
We should also note, for our own consumption, that David’s zealous dance before the Lord while escorting the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem and offering sacrifices before it, was commendable for sure. His actions established the city of Jerusalem as the spiritual capital of the world; Jerusalem is even referred to as the “Mother Church,” where after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the first local Church was founded at Pentecost.
However, David’s worship before the Ark and pitch of the tent there, was not sufficient, he needed to make a copy of the Law of Moses, placed beside the Ark, and take it home and keep and obey the kingly requirements all the days of his life. As born-again Christians, we can learn much from King David’s failures in handling the Word of God.
Many Christians have a tendency to attend Church and worship the Lord with mighty praise and dance and song, and listen to and applaud the Word of God preached into their hearing. But, then they fail to take the Word home and insulate their hearts and minds with it all the days of their lives. Jesus Christ said “…It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt. 4:4) We are not to be hearers only of the Word, but also doers. (James 1:22) We must make the choice and decision to meditate on the Word day and night to observe the things written therein to yield the favorable consequences of prosperity and good success. (Jos.1:8-9)
Tell me Saints, are you taking the Word of God home with you to practice, or leaving it at Church? Is your “house” insulated with the Word of God, the Truth? Are you meditating on the Word of God day and night; especially in the evening-tide? Are your affections set on things above, and not on things on the earth? Is your life dominated by Truth, or are you living a lie and hiding secret sin?
Every born-again Christian must insulate their hearts with the Word of God so they can Armor-up against the whiles of the devil. (II Cor.10:4 & Eph. 6:10-18) For certain, there will be “circumstances” presented to us to sin as long as we are in this world. We will be tempted to lie and avoid Truth, but if we meditate on the Word of God daily and obey the Voice of the Holy Ghost, we can resist the devil and defeat the enemy. Every secret sin we elect to hide, because we have been sanctified in the Truth, will be brought to light so that God might reveal it, heal it, and bring us back in right-Covenant fellowship with Him.
Lastly Saints, as we move forward into next week’s Sermon, examine again II Samuel 11:27. It states:
And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
Notice, that from the period of time when David took Bathsheba to be his wife and the birth of the child, God is silent. Though God was sorely displeased with the actions of David, there appears to be almost a year waiting period before God speaks again to David and renders judgment. During this period, I believe God was giving David “Time" to reflect on his sinful behavior and waiting to see how he would respond; to see if he would on his own volition make the choice and decision to come and “reckon” with God about the Truth. (Is.1:18)
But, David chose and decided to continue hiding in his sins. So the Covenant Keeping and Merciful God could not leave his servant David, “a man after God’s own heart” in his sin-stricken state. David possessed a “blood-guilty” conscious that kept him away from God. Thus, the Lord had to send David a special Messenger with a powerful “Message of Truth!” Saints, do not miss next week’s Sermon, which is entitled: “David, You’re the Man!” Amen, for the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Please send your tithes and offerings in support of Exousia Ministries, Inc. to the PayPal link below. May God exponentially multiply your cheerful and hilarious giving to our Ministry and ever take you deeper into the knowledge of Himself.
http://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=H928GMBX3YG8S