2 Samuel 11

I read in 2 Samuel 11 this morning for my devotions. This is the chapter where David makes choices that effect the rest of his life and the lives of others; when David takes Bathsheba and kills Uriah. It was very interesting that David made what seemed like a insignificant decision to not go to battle, but that was what the kings were supposed to do. So he was neglecting his duties as king and stayed home. For some reason he went for a walk on the roof and saw a beautiful women across the way. David's self control was thrown off the roof, was out of control. He then made the choice to take her knowing that she was married to Uriah. This choice he made the made him make another choice to try to get Uriah to go home and be with his wife. But Uriah was a man of integrity. He knew that his fellow men in the army we still fighting and living in tents, how then could he go to his home and be with his wife. David then tried to get him drunk, but to no avail. So David came up with a wicked plan. He wrote a letter to the leader of the army and told him to put Uriah at the fiercest part of the battle and then retreat a little. He sent the letter by the hand of Uriah!! Wow! So the result of David's choices were that he killed Uriah, got Bathsheba pregnant, has a child on the way, and most of all he displeased the Lord! WOW! The choices David made not only effected him but Uriah, Bathsheba, the child, but God!
I need to be living in such way that my choices please the Lord. Throughout this passage David was making choice to please himself. David stayed home from battle to please himself. David saw and took Bathsheba to please himself. David killed Uriah to allow himself to be pleased. David was so focused on himself that he was not pleasing God. The choices that I make in daily life need to be focused on pleasing God not myself.

Press ON!