David and Bathsheba

Stories are powerful tools of communication. Stories offer new perspectives and illustrate important lessons. Biblical stories help us clarify our theological understanding and grapple with difficult questions. The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the more difficult and painful stories in the Bible. Found in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, this story tells the sordid tale of David’s compounding sin as adultery leads to murder. It goes on to speak about how God both forgives and holds David accountable through the prophet Nathan. Join Groundwork for our series, “David and Bathsheba” and together we’ll engage the rich opportunity this story provides for us to learn about sin, grace, consequences, and how our choices impact our relationship with God and with each other.

Who was King David?

King David was the second king of Israel and was chosen and anointed by God. He was a powerful warrior who led Israel to many victories over their enemies, and he reigned before the nation split into the Northern and Southern kingdoms. The early stories about his life are found in 1 Samuel, and we find the stories about his kingship in 2 Samuel. In David’s stories, the Bible shows us some of the harshest realities of our human condition. In his interactions with Bathsheba, he covets another man’s wife, abuses his powerful position, commits adultery, and then tries to cover up his sins with murder. In studying this story from David’s life, we’ll explore the complexities of David’s fall from grace, the consequences of his actions, and, ultimately, how his journey can illuminate our own paths toward honesty, repentance, and a life that truly pleases the Lord.

Engaging Tough Questions

By including the story of David and Bathsheba in the Bible, the Holy Spirit gives us an opportunity to engage tough questions. Does God still punish us for our sins even though we know as Christians that God forgives all our sins? Are consequences punishment? David is unsuccessful in covering up his misdeeds and moving on. God holds him accountable by sending the prophet Nathan to King David. Through another story, Nathan shows David the grievous nature of his sins and we finally witness David’s repentance. God’s justice and love are seen throughout the story but are starkly juxtaposed by human selfishness and desperation. We may not feel our sins are as awful as David’s sins, but sin is sin. When we struggle with feelings of guilt and shame, studying stories like this gives us a way forward by providing clarity and assurance without trivializing the gravity of the situation. 

Invitation to Self-examination

Stories like the story of David and Bathsheba are an invitation to self-examination and repentance. Through them, we’re invited to ask, “What about me?” But they also serve as a warning to guard and protect our hearts. I invite you to learn valuable lessons from King David’s life through our Groundwork series, “David and Bathsheba”:

• Learning from the Sins of King David - 2 Samuel 11
• Repentance, Forgiveness, and Sin's Consequences - 2 Samuel 12

...and together we’ll see God’s hope and love even in life’s most painful and messy moments.