The setting of temptation

(1) “At the turn of the year” indicates that winter had passed, and spring had come. In other words, the season was shifting from the rainy season to the dry season. When the dry season begins, the ground becomes firm, making it suitable for battle. (2) Here, the battle with the Ammonites resumes. This is the same conflict that had been temporarily halted in 10:14. (3) At this time, David sent out Joab as the commander, while he himself remained in the royal palace in Jerusalem. This in itself was a common practice and not something to be considered problematic. At the same time, however, it is true that this set the stage for David to face temptation.

Steps of sin

Here, three steps toward sin are depicted. (1) David did not turn his eyes away from what he should not have seen; instead, he gazed intently. From the rooftop of the palace, he saw a beautiful woman bathing. Trying to blame the woman would be a misplaced argument. She was following the Law by cleansing herself from her menstrual impurity. Most likely, there was a basin for purification in the courtyard. (2) David inquired about the woman. This was the second step. As a result, he learned that she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Uriah was not an Israelite but a Gentile (Hittite). It is also likely that his wife, Bathsheba, was a Hittite as well. (3) Furthermore, David took action to fulfill his desire. This was the third step. He brought her into the palace and had a physical relationship with her. The messengers who were sent knew that David was being a hypocrite. (4) Bathsheba informed David that she was pregnant. From there, the situation unfolded into something even more serious. James 1:14-15 describes the steps that lead to sin: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death.” What David experienced was exactly this progression. What lesson can you learn from David’s failure?