“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; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
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: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And [one] said, [Is] not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.”
2 Sam 11:1-4
Many teach that David fell into sin because he should have been at battle instead of at home. The KJV translates the wording to say “at the time when kings go forth [to battle].” However, the Hebrew doesn’t actually use the word “battle” in this reference. It is implicit given the context of the previous verses, but the Hebrew rendering of the verse is indicative of a different scenario. The Hebrew uses “Melek mal’ak yatsa” which translates “King’s messengers go forth.”
“Melek mal’ak yatsa” Is not the same as “Melek yatsa” which would be “Kings go forth.”
Young’s Literal translation is much truer to the intent of the Hebrew. Remember to watch for [brackets] and italicized letters because they indicate a questionable inference or wording supplied by the translator to help the concept being presented.
“And it cometh to pass, at the revolution of the year — at the time of the going out of the messengers — that David sendeth Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel, and they destroy the Bene-Ammon, and lay siege against Rabbah. And David is dwelling in Jerusalem,”
2 Sam 11:1 YLT – Emphasis Added
The other prevalent thought is that David was just laying around the house all day, maybe for weeks on end, during “the time that King’s go forth to battle.” Verse two in this passage states that in the “eveningtide” which would be at sunset, when the day is changing to night, David arose from his bed or couch to walk on the rooftop of his house.
This is significant in the fact that it doesn’t imply that David was merely laying about all day, but that David was resting at the end of the day. There is no inference from scripture that David was not doing the King’s business during the time he was dwelling in Jerusalem (not dwelling in his house at Jerusalem).
The reason why this is important is that it removes misconception about why David fell into this sin. It was not because he was home instead of fighting.
To infer that rest and/or inactivity are inherently sinful or that it will lead to sin is irresponsible at best and anti-scriptural at worst. It has always been in God’s plan for mankind to rest, enough that He created a Sabbath day of rest and by law commanded that it be followed on pain of death.
The key issue that needs to be dealt with here is actually very applicable to each one of us as adults. In fact you may be carrying it in your pocket. It’s literally a key issue, as in your key to your apartment, dorm room, or house. The key is the difference between liberty and license.
When you turned eighteen you became an adult.
“An adult is a person who has attained the age of majority. The age of majority is the legally defined age at which a person is considered an adult, with all the attendant rights and responsibilities of adulthood.” source
“the age at which a person is granted by law the rights (as ability to sue) and responsibilities (as liability under contract) of an adult” source
When you stepped out of the auspices of your parent’s home you were liberated. Isn’t this what we all long for during our childhood and especially during our teen years?
So, now as an adult you have no external restraints, you are free to do as you please, kind of. Having liberty, however, is not the same thing as having license.
Liberty – freedom from external restraint, compulsion, or interference in engaging in the pursuits or conduct of one’s choice… source
License – official or legal permission to do or own a specified thing. source
You as a legal adult have the power to do whatever you want, but you don’t have the authority to do some things. Just like a police officer, he has the power (gun) to enforce the law, but he has to have the authority (official badge) of the community or state to use that power legally.
Here’s how this translates into one aspect of our lives as adults, relationships, dating and sex.
David had the power as king to do whatever he desired, but God did not give him the authority to override moral law. He simply spoke the word and this woman, the wife of one of his closest men, was brought to his house and he had sex with her. Yes, he had the power to make this happen and it seemed like he had the authority to do it as well. God had a few things to say about where David stepped out of line.
It’s the same with us. Our power to pursue happiness is inalienable, but not at the expense of our obligation to God’s moral law. Yes, you own the key to the door of your own house, and in theory you could use the phrase “Your place or mine?” at the end of your next date with that beautiful woman or handsome man.
You could end your date with a sexual encounter in the privacy of your own home, and this is the whole point of the kingdom; that God has entrusted us with power and he expects us to work within the authority given to us.
Is sex bad? No, it is not, remember God created it to be enjoyed within the context of marriage, but that’s not the point.
Here is the point:
In all things God’s moral law defines our liberty.
David’s failure with Bathsheba was not because he was not conquering on the battlefield, but because in his mind he had already conquered God.
Your success or failure in the area of sexuality will be based on your concept of what liberty actually means.
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
Gal 5:13
