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II SAMUEL

 

THE RULER OF ISRAEL COMMITS ADULTERY

II Samuel 11:1-13

Victor M. Eskew

 

1.      Outline:

 

i.                    THE TIME OF BATTLE (II Sam. 11:1)

ii.                  THE TEMPTATION OF DAVID (II Sam. 11:2-4)

iii.                THE TIDINGS SENT TO DAVID (II Sam. 11:5)

iv.                THE TRICK ATTEMPTED BY DAVID (II Sam. 11:6-13)

 

2.      Who did David send into battle after the year was expired? (II Sam. 11:1)

 

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel…

 

A.    He sent Joab, his servants, and all Israel

 

B.      “after the year was expired”:  these words indicate that is was a year since the previous battle with the Ammonites (See II Sam. 10:14).

 

C.     Most likely, it was the spring of the year.  This was the best time to wage war.

 

3.      “…and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah” (II Sam. 11:1).

 

A.    Rabbah was the capital city of the Ammonites.

 

edom-map

 

 

4.      T – F    David went with them to the field of battle. (II Sam. 11:1)

 

But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

 

A.    False

 

B.      It is difficult to know if David had neglected his responsibility by not going to the field of battle.  Many times, a king did not go to the battlefield until the battle was almost won.  He would then go and claim the victory.

 

5.      Where was David walking after arising from bed in an evening tide? (II Sam. 11:2)

 

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house…

 

A.    He was walking on the roof of the king’s house.

 

B.      David might not have been able to sleep.  Thus, he arose for a brief stroll on the roof in the cool of the night.

1.      This was a normal action in the life of David.

2.      He was not seeking anything sinful in what he was doing.

3.      LESSON:  During the common events of life, we must guard our hearts.  We do not know when Satan will seek to destroy us.

 

6.      Who did he see from the roof? (II Sam. 11:2)

 

…and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself…

 

A.    David saw a woman washing herself.

 

B.      We are not given any details that might answer some of our questions.  It appears, however, that this woman was not doing anything out of the ordinary.  She was not intentionally attempting to tempt David by her actions.

 

7.      How is the woman described? (II Sam. 11:2)

 

…and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

 

A.    She was very beautiful to look upon.

 

B.      Beautiful

1.      Strong (2896):  good

2.      BDB:  good, pleasant, agreeable to the senses, excellent

3.      NOTE:  She was “very” beautiful. 

 

C.     LESSON:  Satan knows “when” to tempt us.  He also knows with “what” to tempt us.  He does not use messy and ugly things in his temptation.  He uses beautiful things.

 

8.      After David saw the woman, what did he do? (II Sam. 11:3)

 

And David sent and inquired after the woman…

 

A.    David sent and inquired after the woman.

 

B.      NOTE:  Just seeing the woman was not sinful.  It was David’s pursuit of her that would lead to sin.  David should have immediately dismissed what he had seen.

1.      “Flee also youthful lusts…” (II Tim. 2:22)

2.      “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11).

 

9.      Who was the woman? (II Sam. 11:3)

 

And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

 

A.    Bath-sheba means:  daughter of an oath

 

B.      She is the daughter of Eliam, who was the son of Ahithophel, David’s counsellor who betrayed him (See II Sam. 23:34).

 

C.     She was also the wife of Uriah the Hittite.

 

10.  Who is Uriah the Hittite? (II Sam. 11:3)

 

A.    His name means:  “God is my light.”

 

B.      Some believe that he was a Jew who lived among the Hittites.  Others believe that he was a Hittite who had converted to the Jewish religion.

 

C.     He was one of David’s “mighty men” (I Chron. 11:41).

 

11.  T – F    David had a sexual encounter with Bathsheba. (II Sam. 11:4)

 

And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her…

 

A.    True

 

B.      There were many things that should have deterred David from this action.

1.      His being a child of God.

2.      His being king of Israel.

3.      The fact that this was an act of adultery.

4.      The fact that the woman’s husband was a faithful military man in David’s army

 

C.     LESSON:  Powerful men are able to get the things they want.  Often they do not stop to consider the consequences of their actions.

 

12.  What does the phrase, “”for she was purified from her uncleanness,” mean? (II Sam. 11:4)

 

…for she was purified from her uncleanness:  and she returned unto her house.

 

A.    It appears that David may have sent for her in the early morning hours after seeing her.  She stayed the entire day.  The law stated that she would not be clean until the evening (Lev. 15:18).

 

The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until evening.

 

B.      LESSON:  It is interesting that she was scrupulous to follow the Law with regard to her cleansing.  However, she completely disregarded the Law concerning adultery (Exo. 20:14).  NOTE:  Are their some laws we are sticklers about and other laws that we are willing to freely break?

 

13.  What was the result of this sexual encounter? (II Sam. 11:5)

 

And the woman conceived…

 

A.    Bath-sheba conceived, was with child, and told David of her condition.

 

B.      LESSONS

1.      Sin often has severe consequences.

2.      It is easier to refrain from sin than it is to deal with the consequences it often presents to us.  Individuals have to be able to look down the road and see the consequences beforehand.  Those who can will have a strong deterrent against sin.

 

C.     It is interesting to note that the sentence for committing adultery was death (Lev. 20:10).

 

And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

 

14.  T – F    Bathsheba hid her conception from David? (II Sam. 11:5)

 

…and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

 

A.    This news would have come 4 to 8 weeks after the actual affair had occurred.

 

B.      LESSONS:

1.      The man who is involved in the sin of adultery or fornication needs to be held responsible for his part in the transgression.

2.      That which is conceived in the womb is a child according to Scripture.  “I am with child.

 

15.  Who did David contact in order for him to send Uriah? (II Sam. 11:6)

 

And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite.  And Joab sent Uriah to David.

 

A.    He sent to Joab, the captain of his forces.

 

B.      Think about this.  David has sinned against an honorable man who is serving in his army and who is presently protecting the kingdom against her enemies.

 

C.     QUESTION:  Had David thought of this as a possibility even before he committed adultery with Bath-sheba?  Was it part of a plan that even Bath-sheba had agreed to?

 

16.  What three things did David demand of Uriah when he came into his presence? (II Sam. 11:7)

 

And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered

 

A.    How Joab did  (this was his David’s leader)

 

B.      How the people did  (these were David’s fighters)

 

C.     How the war prospered  (this was the result of their efforts)

 

D.    Since Uriah was one of David’s mighty men, it did not seem unusual for David to desire an update on the battle from one who had been in the midst of the fighting.  David may have sent for Uriah or one of his other men in times past.

 

17.  After speaking with Uriah, where did he tell him to go? (II Sam. 11:8)

 

And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet.  And Uriah departed out of the king’s house…

 

A.    David told Uriah to do down to his house. 

1.      There he could clean up before going back to the battle.

2.      There he would see his wife after being away from her for some time in combat.

 

B.      David stooped to extremely vile and dishonest measures to hide the sin that he had committed.

 

C.     LESSON:  Sin is not something to which we easily admit.  We would rather lie about it or cover it up than admit to it.

1.      Adam hid himself from the presence of the Lord.

2.      Cain asked:  “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

3.      Achan hid the accursed things of Jericho in his tent.

4.      Saul denied that he had committed sin when he failed to slay the Amalekites and all they possessed.

5.      Gehazi lied to Elijah about his asking for some of the goods from Naaman.

 

18.  What was also sent by the king? (II Sam. 11:8)

 

…and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

 

A.    David sent a splendid meal to his house as well.

1.      David wanted this to become a night of relaxation and enjoyment.

2.      David wanted him to enjoy his time home and truly reunite with his wife.  A good meal often sets the tone.

 

19.  T – F    Uriah did not go to his house but slept at the door of the king’s house. (II Sam. 11:9)

 

But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to

his house.

 

A.    True

 

20.  What question did David ask Uriah when he learned he had not gone to his house? (II Sam. 11:10)

 

And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey?  why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

 

A.    “Why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?”

 

B.      David was surprised by Uriah’s actions.  Most men would have taken the opportunity to go home while they are away from the field of battle.  Uriah’s actions were very unique.  David wanted to know why he would behave in this manner.

 

21.  What reply did Uriah give to the king’s question? (II Sam. 11:11)

 

And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife?...

 

A.    Uriah had a deep sense of responsibility toward the ark and those who he had left in the heat of the battle. 

1.      He knew they were laboring under very difficult conditions.

2.      As a soldier, while the war was raging, Uriah refused to take part if the comforts of life.  He did not feel this was fitting of him as a soldier.

 

B.      David was now keenly aware of the character of this servant and soldier.  Knowing this, should have caused David to refrain from the evils he was attempting to commit to cover his sin.

 

22.  “As thy soul  liveth, I will not do this thing” (II Sam. 11:11)

 

A.    These words express the commitment and the determination of Uriah not to take part in physical blessings while his brothers in arms were fighting in the fields.

 

B.      David now knew the mindset of Uriah.  He, therefore, had to devise a plan that would weaken Uriah’s resolve.

 

23.  T – F    David asked Uriah to tarry another day in Jerusalem.  (II Sam. 11:12)

 

And David said, Tarry here today also, and tomorrow I will let thee depart…

 

A.    True

 

B.      It would be interesting to know what David said to Uriah as to why he wanted him to tarry another day.  We, however, know the real purpose for this delay.

 

24.  T – F    Uriah stayed the additional day.  (II Sam. 11:12)

 

…So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

 

A.    True

 

B.      Uriah continues to show his loyalty as a servant, doing exactly as his king had bidden him.

 

25.  What did David do to Uriah that evening? (II Sam. 11:13)

 

And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk…

 

A.    David caused Uriah to be intoxicated.

1.      Intoxicants lower an individual’s inhibitions. 

2.      Things that he would not do would be done because the mind has been impacted.

3.      David hoped that he would now go to his house and lie with Bath-sheba.

B.      LESSON:  There is almost no limit to which a sinner will go to cover his sins.

 

26.  T – F    David’s plan worked and Uriah went to his house to be with Bathsheba. (II Sam.

11:13)

 

…and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

 

A.    False. 

1.      Uriah still refused to go to his house that night.

2.      Even though David caused him to become drunk, he still had enough of his wits to honor his brethren who were on the battlefront.

 

B.      Uriah’s honor made things extremely difficult for David.  Would David come clean and confess his sin?  Or, would he take more drastic measures to cover up his adultery?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

II SAMUEL

 

The Removal of Uriah from the Equation

II Samuel 11:14-27

Homework

Victor M. Eskew

 

1.      Outline:

 

v.                  II SAMUEL 11:14-15

vi.                II SAMUEL 11:16-17

vii.              II SAMUEL 11:18-25

viii.            II SAMUEL 11:26-27

 

2.      To whom did David write a letter after Uriah refused to return to his home the second day? (II Sam. 11:14).

 

3.      Who took the letter to Joab? (II Sam. 11:14)

 

4.      What was the content of David’s letter to Joab? (II Sam. 11:15)

 

5.      Where did Joab place Uriah when he did battle against the city? (II Sam. 11:16).

 

6.      T – F    Some of David’s servants other than Uriah died in the battle. (II Sam. 11:17)

 

7.      T – F    Uriah was killed as David commanded. (II Sam. 11:17)

 

8.      “Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the ___________.” (II Sam. 11:18)

 

9.      What reaction from David was Joab scared of? (II Sam. 11:19-20)

 

10.  What five questions did he think David might ask? (II Sam. 11:20-21)

 

A.

 

B.

 

C.

 

D.

 

E.

 

11.  How was the messenger to respond to David’s questions? (II Sam. 11:21)

 

12.  T – F    The messenger refused to take the news to David. (II Sam. 11:22)

 

13.  How did the messenger picture the battle to David in II Samuel 11:23-24?

 

14.  How did the messenger end his report to the king? (II Sam. 11:24)

 

15.  T – F    David responded to Joab’s message with understanding. (II Sam. 11:25)

 

 

16.  T – F    David encouraged Joab to make the battle stronger and overthrow the city. (II Sam.

11:25).

 

17.  How did Uriah’s wife respond to the report of her husband’s death? (II Sam. 11:26)

 

18.  What did David do with Uriah’s wife after the time of mourning as past? (II Sam. 11:27).

 

19.  What was the Lord’s response to “the thing David had done”? (II Sam. 11:27).