2 Samuel

Lesson 62 Samuel 11-12

This week as we continue our study of 2 Samuel, we’ll see how quickly a righteous man of God can turn to sin. We will be looking at one of the most well-known stories in the Bible – the story of David and Bathsheba.

As we look at this lesson, consider the following statement: If there is sin in your life, it’s there because you want it there. We will examine this closer in a moment.

Bible

David’s actions in this week’s lessons stand in stark contrast to the David that we observed in Chapter 11.

Accordingly, we see that no matter how much we have, no matter who we are, no matter how strongly God plays a role in our lives, we are all subject to temptations that lead to sin. Genesis 4:7 tells us "...if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Read 2 Samuel Chapters 11-12; then answer the following questions:

  1. Who was the noble man in chapter 11: David or someone else?
  2. How many ways did David try to get Uriah to be “with” his wife? What were they? (2 Sam. 11:8-11 and 11:12-13)
  3. How much time had passed between the time David slept with Bathsheba and when he called Uriah home?
  4. In all that time, is there any indication David regretted his sin that night? Was he trying to make things right with Uriah in order to atone for his sin? What were David’s motives in how he dealt with Uriah?
  5. When David hears of Uriah’s death in verses 25-27, how does he respond? Is this the manner that he had responded to the untimely death of his countrymen before?
  6. What does David’s reaction to Uriah’s death reveal to us about David’s motives?
  7. When is enough of something that we want enough? David had seven wives before Bathsheba and many concubines – yet he wanted more. What does this show us about our inner, natural desires, and the ways in which they can blind us to God and hinder our relationship with him?
  8. Whose fault was it that David sinned? Was it Bathsheba who should not have been bathing in plain view next to the palace where she knew she’d be seen?
  9. Is it a sin to be tempted?
  10. What does James 1:14-15 tell us about whose fault our sin is?
  11. What does God tell us about our sinful desires and how we should we treat them? (Romans 13:14)

Confronting sin in our lives is difficult for each of us. Perhaps even more difficult is admitting that the sin in our lives is entirely our fault, our responsibility, and the result of our actions – no one else’s. Whether our sin is like David’s – one driven by lust and desire to have something that is not ours; or perhaps it’s hatred, envy, jealousy, gluttony, or pride – it doesn’t matter. We need to hold ourselves accountable to God for it.

1 John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

My prayer is that this week’s lesson will bring all of us to a time of confession and repentance, as we consider the hurt that sin can bring into our lives and the damage that it inflicts on our relationship with God. May He restore your walk this week and richly bless you through this study.

Yours in Christ,

Wes

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