The dynamics of discipleship (part 38)

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. – II SAMUEL 11:2

After years of war and the stress of Saul trying to kill him along with multiple wives and children, David was burned out.

This is a very dangerous place to be for a believer, especially when your enemy is watching you, planning to attack and take you down.

Thousands of pastors and ministers leave the ministry every year because of burnout and the un-biblical responsibility of their church.

David didn’t go to war that season with the other kings, but sent Joab and his servants and stayed home as his enemy set a trap for him with his beautiful neighbor, Bathsheba.

Walking out on his porch he saw her bathing and I can almost hear the devil whisper in his ear, “You deserve a break today!”

Happens all the time when we entertain thoughts and allow our eyes to see what we shouldn’t be looking at.

Bathsheba, more than likely a Gentile, was married to one of David’s faithful warriors and David could have had any woman in Israel – except one who was married. David was about to commit two death penalty offenses, adultery and murder – and all because he allowed himself to become burned out and exhausted.

Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.” – II SAMUEL 11:4,5