David's Downfall Series

Introduction

As we began this series looking at David we saw how God had anointed him at a young age to accomplish great things for His kingdom. God took an obscure boy from an obscure land, anointed him and raised him up to be king.

He taught us a great principles of humanity that says, 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

From this God send Him into his defining moment. David defeats Goliath. As you read past this story it is amazing what fame and popularity this brought to David. David defeated the giant and brought new hope to a nation.

To me I learn that God could use one man to bring hope to a nation, to a state and to a city. It is no different today where God has called our church in the midst of many churches to bring hope to this city. I truly believe this.

From here David became the “darling child of the nation”. He became a national hero. People from all over heard of him.

It would seem that this would be the moment that God would raise him up to not only be the anointed king but also the crowned king.

Yet it was not so. It would be another 20 years before he was crown king. Why? I believe that there are some lessons that the Lord wanted to teach David. Some lessons of leadership and some lessons of dependence on Him.

One of my favorite parts is found scatted throughout 1, 2 Samuel and the Chronicles. After David’s anointing and defeat of Goliath he did become a national hero but also an enemy of the reigning king, King Saul. This sent David into hiding.

1 Samuel 22 tells us that David built his home in a cave of Adullam. Here he attracted a variety of people. From his family to the many who

1 Samuel 22:2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.

These became known as the mighty men of David. Here the Lord not only taught David to be a warrior but also to become a leader of warriors. It is so important that we understand that it is good to be great for the Lord but it is even better when we can pass that on to another. When we can become that spiritual mentor to others.

David also learned lessons of respect and authority. As twice we are told he had a chance to murder King Saul but he did not. Why? Maybe because if you murder to get in position then you will be murdered to get your position. Great lesson in Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

David finally becomes king and leads the nation to its greatest times. God had blessed him. He was not a perfect king he made some mistakes but he brought Israel to the pinnacle of the natural world.

Through its defeat of the surrounding nations. To the ushering in of the ark of the covenant. David was on top of the nation as a King and as a prophet. Then we come to 2 Samuel 11.

By the time get to chapter.

2 Samuel 11:1-4 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. (2) 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. (3) 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?" (4) 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.

David’s place was with his armies, but something was amiss. Perhaps he had become weary with battle; maybe he had grown a little “soft” surrounded by the wealth and comforts of the palace.

Maybe he felt like he deserved a break.

We don’t know for certain, but what we do know is that David was at a place of low spiritual vitality. His heart had lost its edge; he was drifting from God.