We, in America, have watched politicians rise to prestigious positions only to be disgraced by the sin of moral failure. In this passage we see the darkest moment in the life of David. As king of Israel, David abuses his power and commits adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. She is now with child and David arranges for the death of her husband, which will allow him to take Bathsheba as his wife.

SIN CONCEALED
When Bathsheba learns her husband has been killed in battle, she mourns (v. 26). After the time of mourning (probably 30 days), David takes her to be his wife. David tries to conceal the sin of his adultery, but cannot hide it from God (v. 27). God is very displeased with David (v. 27).

We cannot hide our sins from God. Sin always displeases God, no matter who commits it, king or servant (v. 27).

The Bible says, “God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). David gives in to desire instead of submitting to God’s moral law against murder and adultery (Exodus 20:13, 14).

SIN CONFRONTED
God confronts David by sending Nathan the prophet, through whom God speaks to the king (12:1).

Nathan exposes David’s sin by telling him a parable (vv. 1-6). A wealthy man takes a lamb, which happens to be a family pet, from a poor man and feeds it to a traveler. The wealthy man steals the lamb because he is selfish. David burns with anger, and he is ready to punish the thief when Nathan reveals the story is actually about David’s sin. We must be careful that we do not condemn others’ sins when really they are our own.

Today, God’s words are found in the Bible, and the Bible can expose our sin just as God uses Nathan to expose David’s sin. As Hebrews 4:12 says, the Word of God has the power to reveal sin and convict us of sin. Without biblical confrontation, we may errantly believe we are getting away with sin.

SIN CONFESSED
David is broken by Nathan’s rebuke and so he confesses his sin (v. 13).

All sin is first committed against God, and so repentance must begin with God. In Psalm 51:4, David says, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.”

But Nathan also comforts David by saying, “The Lord has taken away your sin” (v. 13). We are reminded of the New Testament promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). For people today, the blood of Jesus Christ is what makes this forgiveness possible (1 John 1:7).

There is hard-hitting reality in this biblical account. David confesses his sin but still faces some very difficult consequences. Nathan informs David his child will not live, there will be constant turmoil in his household, and the enemies of the Lord will show their contempt (vv. 11-15).

Though it is difficult to understand, Scripture tells us the child becomes ill and dies (vv. 15-18). David is remorseful and mourns the death of his infant son. He is humbled and faces heartbreaking turmoil the rest of his life.

We may confess our sin and experience God’s forgiveness, but we may not escape the fallout from how others are affected by it. This may be difficult for us to bear, but we must always remember that God’s grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).

There is no such thing as inconsequential sin. A single sinful act can damage the lives of many people. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

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*All Scriptures are from the New International Version of the Bible.