David sinned notably twice. Against plain warning, he foolishly numbered the people and, secondly, there was the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Here David stands in striking contrast with Jesus, his great Son. Our Lord was tempted, yet never yielded.

It is a shock to study David’s sin with Bathsheba. It issued in two freshly dug graves — that of Bathsheba’s loyal husband Uriah and her illegitimate baby, conceived by the Israelite King David.

Lo! the one who conquered Goliath is fallen! Here is clear warning that our old nature is dangerous indeed! Who has not themselves felt the frustration described in Romans 7?

Nothing short of the help of Jesus Christ can prevail against the dangers of the flesh (our evil, fallen nature). Note its first danger:

I. IT ALLOWS SIN TO ORIGINATE

As David walked on the roof at eventide, he saw the beautiful Bathsheba. Instantly, he sinned. He sinned in his heart, 2 Samuel 11:2.

This temptation was perfectly calculated to fit David.

David was a holy man, yes, but with a warm, poetic nature, Satan’s test came right at this point of his character, taking full advantage. A sensitive nature has its place. Let it keep its place.

The urges of sex have their place. Let them be confined and directed within the proper bounds of marriage. God built the fences.  Woe to the man who forgets it. First, David looked over the fence. He longed, lusted and fell. Then David paid,  paid dearly.

Notice the timing of this temptation. The King had enjoyed 17 years of uninterrupted victory. Perfectly willing to wait, the devil laid low until David felt secure. While his men toiled in battle, the King chose to rest at ease. It is easy to sink to new lows when in idleness.

Watch out for vacations! Never feel you “deserve to let down.” What we need is not ease. Exhausted people need recreation.  The very central matter is spiritual re-creation. This requires deliberate planning. Next summer be on guard!

II. IT ENCOURAGES SIN TO CONTINUE

Here is another danger of our sinful natures, termed in Scripture “flesh.” Once sin is allowed to begin, it rushes wild.  Once we begin to live “in the flesh” it’s hard to get “in the Spirit.”

See the fierce strength of it in David’s case. It carried him to such a pitch of excitement that he schemed the death of his noble army captain Uriah.

Now, David may have been more than 50 years of age at this time, but once he opened his eyegate to the one evil, see what followed!  Remember that an entire army of devils can march through one open gate. Then one finds himself doing things that would never have been imagined. The king who for years heroically succored his men now destroys one.

Look at the sad results. A freshly dug grave of the brave Uriah. A woman in shame and stain. A new life conceived and about to be born. Heaven now turned to stone over David’s head. The enemies of God given cause to rejoice and blaspheme, 2 Samuel 12:14. Sin goes on and on.

III. IT REQUIRES CHASTISEMENT

Our old natures cannot accept God’s plain mercy. The flesh requires the scourge of correction.

Even after David had confessed in anguish, “I have sinned against the Lord,” and God’s prophet Nathan had announced, “The Lord also hath put away your sin,” David still was chastened.

It is true that the blood of Christ — if we in humble faith accept it — puts away our sin, all sin. However, in order to humble and prepare us and prevent us from taking advantage of God’s free grace, we may face corrective punishment.

Imagine how it was with David. There was first of all a growing spiritual agitation as month after month he found himself unable to pray. The holy psalmist sunk in sin!

Then came the searing exposure of his secret by Nathan. “You are the man!” accused the fearless prophet in 2 Samuel 12. How the rebuke cut! This was only the beginning.

Next comes the pitiful story of the baby’s death. Read it. Study it.

Repeatedly thereafter the King’s family life is slashed with evil. Thus his bowed and broken heart learns to maintain its purity. He is made to lean upon God’s arm of grace.

Perhaps, you who hear this message have not had a severe fall. If all is well, then, take heed! Remember David’s days of ease.

No doubt others will be remembering again their own pitiful failure. Study Psalm 51, which King David wrote after his wondrous restoration to God’s favor. Then revel in the glory of Almighty mercy as you read 2 Samuel 12:24,25.

Bathsheba bore David another son, Solomon. In love, God announces a special name for the baby –“Jedidiah,” meaning “beloved of the Lord.”

If your sin is indeed destroying your peace, turn to Jesus Christ in repentance. Taste the sweet mercy of God.