What WE KNOW.
So this year, I committed to read through my chronological, One Year Bible. In addition, I have been reading my Bible and going back and forth with the study notes and daily devotions. I have not missed a day and do not plan to give in to my flesh to quit. Amen. I want to complete the Old Testament and have a better understanding of dates, timelines and people in God’s word. This has been a goal of mine and I really really really want to stick with it!!!!!
As I was in the book of 1 SAMUEL 11, I studied King David and Bathsheba. You may or may not be familiar with this. I wont go into so much detail so read it if you haven’t or it’s been awhile.
It begins with lust and desire.
So the story begins and we know that David stayed back and went to the roof of his home. We know that Bathsheba was bathing at the same time.
I have so many questions. As I study, I wonder. What I learned? What we could avoid in our life. The things we do and how they can quickly result in devastation. How did she feel? What were her intentions? We know King Davids. Did Bathsheba know or desire to be seen while bathing on the roof? What questions do you have?
We know from God’s word that he saw her bathing and he SENT & INQUIRED. (2 Samuel 11:3)
We know the time of day, EVENING, and that King David arose from his bed when he should not of been home. Did Bathsheba purposely go to bathe at night assuming no one would see her? Did she believe King David was at battle, as it was spring of the year when kings go to battle? (2 Samuel 11:1)
Lets pause and regroup….
We NEED to be mindful of our surroundings, circumstances, and sometimes people’s possible intentions. For example, I would not wear anything I know that is provocative or promotes body parts in public to respect myself and my husband. I know that if I chose to do that, it would draw attention to myself. As we know many women( and men) do this daily. We know that celebrities, models, and Internet personalities participate in pornography (definition from Merriam-Webster: material (such as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement). We all make choices. Our choices can be filled with lust and sin or they can be healthy, godly, diligent decisions that will lead to obedience, freedom, purity, and joy.
Okay, remove the sex. Apply the same notion to your favorite ice cream shop. If you want to lose weight and get into shape, I advise that you avoid walking near the ice cream, novelties freezer, or the town center with your favorite shop. If you are an alcoholic you would not go get a Pepsi or iced tea at the Brewery. I hope I made my point. Clearly, if you know you struggle with something, or not even struggle….ANYTHING that will cause you to stumble and SIN….RUN and AVOID. More on that to come.
Furthermore, we know that King David and Bathsheba committed adultery. She was married to Uriah, whom King David murdered so he could have Bathsheba as his wife. So you see, the simple look on the roof that was filled with sexual lust, thoughts, and ultimately a devastating act led to murder. It happens every day. Just look at 20/20, Dateline, and our world. This is still happening. What can we learn from it?
How did Bathsheba feel when she was asked to go to the King?
It was evening time. She was bathing. She was married during this time. How did she feel? Did she know what would happen? Could she say no? Would saying no lead to punishment and death? Did she want to say no, only God knew her heart. I wonder how she felt when she committed adultery. We know God was NOT pleased with David(2 Samuel 11:27).
How did she feel when she found out she was pregnant? Frightened? Humiliated? We know she went directly to David ( 2Samuel 11:5)
When King David had her husband, Uriah killed in battle, we know from the scriptures that Bathsheba mourned. As she was pregnant with another man’s child by adultery, she never told him before he died. She may have never said sorry or shared what had happened. These details are not in the word but I wonder how she felt through all of this. To sleep with another man, a prominent man, the King at the time, and to become pregnant, then find out your husband died. It seems all like a nightmare.
Most of the time it is best to just RUN.
Remember when Joseph faced Potiphar’s wife who was desiring to sleep with him? Remember he fled. (Genesis 39) Yeah, we all need to do that. The evil one will constantly love to have us fail and he is out to destroy families, marriages, children, and all sorts of relationships. Most of the time it is best to run and flee from the things of our flesh, the ways of this world.
If we look at all of this we know that David and Bathsheba faced many consequences due to their choices. We know that the baby died. We also see David’s heart, regret, repentance, and seeking God’s forgiveness.
*****Guard your hearts, and minds and be aware of your surroundings, choices, places you go, and who you hang out with. Be disciplined about what you look at, watch, and talk about. Do not dabble with small things because they will quickly explode into something bigger. A look is not innocent. We see this in God’s word. Stay grounded. Respect your loved ones, protect your loved ones. Protect and guard your marriage. Stay PRAYED UP. ******
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