Springtime was traditionally the time when military campaigns were begun. The end of the rainy season meant that the roads were in better condition.

The beginning of David’s downfall was in his staying home from battle. He ceased being a leader and became a sender. He went from warrior king to politician. Why did David not accompany his army? Perhaps he disdained the hardships of the journey. In any case, he entrusted the matter to his cousin, Joab.

There is an interesting contrast to be suggested here between David and the Son of David -- Jesus.

Jerusalem was not an overly large city. The city was more of a fortress with the houses built in terraces. The roof of such a house was often served a variety of purposes, especially when the weather was warm. For David is was a place to walk in the cool of the evening.

The steps of David’s downfall are fourfold.

They can be described in the four verbs.

His actions started from the innocent. There is nothing wrong with seeing. And perhaps to send and make legitimate inquiries might be justified in that culture (David already had several wives and to take another in itself would not have been considered immoral).. But David stepped far over the line in taking another man’s wife. When we descend into sin, we usually follow a similar progression.

We see that which we want. There is nothing wrong with desire in itself. The wrong is in what we do with such desire. If we seek to fulfill it in a way which is contrary to the laws of God, then we move into sin.

That is the way it was with Adam and Eve in the Garden. They heard the words of the serpent. They looked at the forbidden fruit. They desired to be wise. And then they disobey the command of the Lord and they take that which they desire.

David started with a look. But then he kept on looking. It has been said that you can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but you don’t have to let them build a nest in your hair.

David embraced the way of sin. He coveted another man’s wife and then he sent for her and committed adultery with her. It was not long before his sin bore fruit.

David’s union with Bathsheba brought about visible results. She was pregnant and her husband would know that he was not the father, for he was away at war.

There is a principle here. It is that sin always bears fruit. The Scriptures warn that "whatever a man saws, this he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7). There are some people who sow their wild oats and then hope for a crop failure.

David determines to cover up his sin by having Uriah sent back home, presumably to report on the progress of the military campaign.

a. David’s first attempt.

b. David’s second attempt.

c. David’s third attempt.

What is your view of sex? Is it merely a means to pleasure for the moment? You can learn a lesson from Uriah. It is not that he placed no value in sexual relations with his wife, but he placed the concerns of the Lord even higher.

Jesus did this same thing. He came, not concerned with serving Himself, but with serving us and placing our needs above His own.

Uriah is a picture of Christ. He is the one who came and identified Himself with the people of God, considering his own needs and desires secondary to those whom He came to save. He showed Himself to be honorable in His decisions and ultimately gave His own life for the sins of another.

David now gives a message to the faithful Uriah. It is nothing less than a death sentence for the man against whom David had already sinned. David will use the honor and courage of Uriah to being about his death.

Joab cold-heartedly follows the directions of David, resulting in the death of an innocent and unsuspecting Uriah. He is an unflinching participant in the murder of Uriah.

David thought that he had gotten away with his sin. He thought it to be hidden from the sight of his subjects. And it was. But it was not hidden from the sight of the Lord.

We need to remember that in those times when we think that no one is looking, we are playing to heaven’s packed house.

Nathan was the prophet of God. He had served as David’s confidante when David was considering the building of a temple to the Lord. Now Nathan is sent to David with a special message.

Nathan brings to David a parable. But he does not say that it is a parable. It is given in such a way that David assumes the story is bother literal and true. It is also given in such a way that David does not recognize himself as the main character.

The lamb of the poor man was his treasured possession. It was like a daughter (as in Bathsheba in which the word Bath means "daughter").

David is enraged at this report of such a heartless action. He wishes to call a sentence of death -- literally, he says that this man is a "son of death." This is a Hebraism that means such a man deserves to die. David wants to put this man to death. But since the law does not call for the death penalty in such a case, David calls for immediate restitution. Furthermore, he does so far as to bind his words with an oath: "As the Lord lives."

What really annoys you about others? What is it about someone that really gets under your skin? Chances are that it is something of which you yourself are guilty.

There is a lesson here. It is that we normally find it easier to see the faults in others than we can see them in ourselves. I don’t see the main faults in my own life. That goes for you, too. Whatever you think are your primary faults are not.

David has called for a fourfold restitution. And he has bound his words with an oath. His words will be fulfilled with the deaths of four of his sons.

As David hears Nathan’s account, his anger grows against this rich man. This man who has sinned. This man with the cold heart. He pronounces his indictment against "the man." It is at that very moment that Nathan points at David and says: "You are the man!" This is a pronouncement of his sin. He has already pronounced judgment upon himself. He will suffer the consequences of his sin. Because of his sin, the sword will never depart from his house. Because of his sin, others will die.

There is a contrast here between David and David’s descendant. A thousand years later, the Son of David would stand in this same city before a Roman governor who would proclaim, "Behold the man!" (John 19:5).

Jesus is the Second David. He is the man. He is the One who died in your place. If you will behold the man, you will life.

If you come before the Lord wanting to hear and to judge the sins of others, you will go away empty. But if you come to hear of the terrible truth of your own sins, then you will be ready to receive God’s salvation.

The words of Nathan are presented in the format of a covenant lawsuit. The format of this lawsuit is such that we first read of the suzerain’s past faithfulness to the vassal. David has acted the part of an unfaithful vassal to his Lord, the God of Israel.

The rest of the book of 2nd Samuel is going to be a fulfillment of this prophecy. David has succeeded in conquering all of his surrounding enemies. But God is going to raise up an enemy from his own household. One from his own family will rise against him. And in the same manner that he has taken another man’s wife, one will come and will sleep with his wives. Instead of doing such a deed in secret, this will be accomplished openly and in the sight of all Israel. All shall witness the shame of David. From the same rooftop on which David had initially looked down to see Bathsheba, his son Absalom will conduct a rooftop orgy with the wives of David (2 Samuel 16:20-22).

Three of David’s sons will repeat the sins of their father.

As I first read this, I am inclined to object, "David, it was against URIAH whom you sinned." After all, David had defiled Uriah’s house. And he had taken Uriah’s wife. And he had betrayed and lied to Uriah. And he had ordered Uriah’s death.

And yet, David voices his repentance in saying that he had sinned against the Lord. A further commentary of David’s confession is seen in Psalm 51. There he goes so far as to say:

This tells me something about sin. Sin is primarily that which is against God. To speak of sinful actions which are between consenting adults and which "don’t hurt anyone" ignores the fact that sin is an action which is against God.

As David confesses his sin, Nathan assures him of God’s forgiveness. Though he is deserving of death, he will not die. But that does not mean his sin will not have lasting results.

David was forgiven his sin. But the effects of that sin were not obliterated by this forgiveness. Uriah was still dead. Bathsheba was still pregnant. And the enemies of God had an occasion to speak ill of God. Furthermore, the child born out of their illicit union would die.

The death of David’s child and the events surrounding it are portrayed through the eyes of David’s servants. They watch as David enters into a fast, refusing to eat or even to move from his prone position as he pours out his heart to the Lord.

This goes on for seven days. At the end of that time, the child dies.

The servants are reluctant to tell David the news, fearing what might be his reaction. However, when he learns that the child has died, David breaks his fast, cleans himself, and worships before the Lord, explaining that the child will not not return, but that he will one day go to the child.

Of what is David speaking? Is he just speaking of that fact that the child has gone to the grave and he will also one day go to the grave? Perhaps. But it seems difficult to see how this would have been a comfort to David. Perhaps instead, this is an indication of David’s understanding of a life after death.

A second son is now provided. This is Solomon who will one day succeed David to the throne. The name Solomon means "peace." But he is also given a second name - Jedidiah - "Beloved of Yahweh."

At the beginning of this chapter, Nathan rebuked the king. Now Nathan comforts the king with these words. In the future, Nathan would warn and advise the king. And when the day came for Solomon to be anointed as the new king of Israel, it would be Nathan who would anoint him.

There is a lesson here. Nathan was a friend to the king. And sometimes friends have to say things that hurt. Nathan was that kind of friend.