2 Samuel 11:27

David's fall.

"But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord." One guarantee, even to the most unlettered, of the truthfulness of sacred history is the impartiality of its accounts of its greatest heroes, whose sins and follies are faithfully recorded as well as their virtues. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Peter, are cases in point. David is another instance, whose fearful sins are recorded in this most distressing chapter, ending with the significant words of our text, "But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord."

I. THE WICKEDNESS WHICH DISPLEASED GOD . Many things done by good men of old times which appear to us very culpable, were in them innocent or excusable, on account of the different standard by which their conduct was regulated, and the different public opinion of their days. But the sins of David recorded in this chapter were not of such a description. The law of nature everywhere and in all times, as well as the laws of the revelation known to David, are clear and emphatic in condemning them.

1 . The sins themselves.

2 . Their aggravations.

3 . How they were possible.

II. HOW THE DISPLEASURE OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED .

1 . The message by Nathan ( 2 Samuel 12:1-12 ); who boldly reproved David in the name of the Lord, and announced the punishments which would fall upon him.

2 . The death of the chill.

3 . Family scandals, sins, and sorrows.

4 . Absalom's rebellion, and all the humiliations and troubles it involved.

5 . Joab's increased ascendency. "There was a guilty secret between the two" (Trench). The worst part of his punishment sprang from sins like his own, and was probably occasioned by them, at least in part.

LESSONS .

1 . Do nothing, however pleasant, or gainful, or common among men, or seemingly safe, to the account of which may be appended the terrible words, "The thing … displeased the Lord."

2 . Let none presume on their security against even disgraceful sin. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" ( 1 Corinthians 10:12 ); "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." ( Matthew 26:41 )

3. Guard against the beginnings of evil. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" ( Proverbs 4:23 ). David had already committed adultery when he gazed lustfully on Bathsheba (comp. Matthew 5:28 ). Pray, as David did afterwards, "Create in me a clean heart" ( Psalms 51:10 ). The beginning of sin is, like that of strife, "as when one letteth out water" ( Proverbs 17:14 ). The trickling of water through a small crevice in an embankment may seem inconsiderable; but, unless stopped, it may issue in widespread devastation and misery. One sin leads to another and another, and all to pain and sorrow. Gehazi's covetousness led him to falsehood and robbery, and then to lifelong leprosy, transmitted to his children's children ( 2 Kings 5:20-27 ). Peter's self-confidence prepared the way for cowardice, falsehood, and profanity, followed by bitter anguish. The pilferings of Judas from "the bag" issued in the betrayal of his Lord; and then remorse and suicide.

4 . How vain are all attempts to conceal sin and prevent punishment! God is looking on all the time the sinner is cunningly endeavouring to hide his sin (see Job 34:21 , Job 34:22 ). "Be sure your sin will find you out" ( Numbers 32:23 ).—G.W.