The real issue in David’s sin (2 Sam 12:1-10)

David’s downfall is one of the most well-known in the Old Testament, but familiarity may rob us of understanding his sin as Scripture explains it. While adultery and murder loom large in the story, this is only incidental to what the real issue is. Throughout David’s story a recurring theme is the possession and handling of power and how the power to act sinfully without having to face the consequences leads to sin. In short, we do it because we can and are able to get away with it – or we think we do. The internet is a good example of this mechanism, where anonymity provides opportunity to behave in ways that we would not normally consider and removes the restraints that normal interactions in society place on us. Hence the endless hurtful comments on social media and the sexual temptations on the internet to name but two examples.

Nathan’s story

David’s particular position as king gives him the power to take what is not his (an issue described by Samuel about the problem of having a human king; 1 Sam 8:10-18). Commentators are sometimes concerned that Nathan’s story (2 Sam 12:2-4) seems so different from David’s adultery but that is exactly the point. The issue is not adultery per se but the taking from a power position, whether it is for economic or sexual advantage. Of course, the differences in the parable also help camouflage to David that his own sin is at issue, so that he is trapped into condemning himself (2 Sam 12:5-6). Yet, Nathan’s story is a remarkably accurate description of the emotional tragedy that is the result of David’s adultery and his callous behaviour because the poor man’s little lamb is not simply a possession but a much-loved family member. David’s assessment that the rich man had no pity (2 Sam 12:6) is spot on, even if he does not realise that he is the man.

David’s contempt

Nathan’s message from God reveals the real issue at the heart of David’s sin. The king has forgotten that his power was a gift from God (2 Sam 12:7) and what he received was coming out of the Lord’s generosity (2 Sam 12:8).[1] He could have asked for more (note that such an attitude would imply that anything more granted is still a gift) and took instead as if it were his right. He took Uriah’s life and took his wife. The real issue in David’s sin is contempt for God’s Word and for His person (2 Sam 12:9-10). Much like Jesus’ language of loving Him and hating one’s own family (Luke 14:26), it is not an emotional reaction to God or His Word but an attitude. It is a disregard for what God says and a diminishment of His person as if He did not count or matter. David thought he could get away with giving free rein to his desires without facing consequences but came face-to-face with the living God, who will not let even His favoured servant get away with sin.

Who is master of our fate?

While David’s sin and its gravity relates to the greater power and opportunity he had, we face the same heart issues. No one is exempt from wanting to rule their own life and be king and master of their fate. The temptation to ignore God and His truth for what we think is right and what we want is present in all of us. Recognising that we depend on God for everything is the first step towards a changed attitude. It is submission to the Lord and acknowledgement that all we have is a gift (our possessions, health, abilities, our very life). When we take stock of our lives this way, then we also realise how generous God is to us and as we trust Him, we can bring our heart’s requests to Him knowing that He cares for us and will give us all that He considers right and good for us. May we foster a heart of gratitude and trust in the Lord.

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[1] The expression that God gave Saul’s house and wives into David’s care (lit. ‘bosom’; 2 Sam 12:8) is hard to make sense of. There is only one wife mentioned for Saul, so this statement should not be taken too literally. It is not that David took over Saul’s physical house and became husband to his spouse(s) but that he displaced Saul and was given the privileges (including wealth and possessions) that Saul as king could enjoy. Wives in this sense are part of what David possessed, much as this is grating for our modern sensibilities (note the list of what should not be coveted in the Ten Commandments that includes a wife with other possessions such as a house, servants and domestic animals; Exod 20:17). This is not, of course, divine approval for treating wives as property but simply God accommodating Himself to ancient viewpoints without immediately correcting our every misconception.

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