When Kings Go Off To War

The Importance of Our Decisions and Actions

I read something a long time ago that said:  “People need to learn that their actions do affect other people.  So be careful what you say and do, it’s not always just about you..!” (Author Unknown)  

One good example of this from the Bible is the story of David.  He was a man of drastic contrasts – single-mindedly committed to God, yet guilty of some of the most serious of sins.  In one short story he broke no less than three of the Ten Commandments – I will discuss them below.  His story should be one of caution to us about what can happen when we are not where we should be, doing what we should be doing – in other words, we are trying to operate outside the will of God for our lives – even while we are attempting to live a life fully committed to God.

1 Samuel 13:14b (NIV) says:  “…the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart…”.  (The ERV version of that same verse reads like this:  “The Lord was looking for a man who wants to obey him. He has found that man…”) and Acts 13:22b (NIV) says:  “’….I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart…’”  (The ERV version reads:  “…This is what God said about David: ‘David, the son of Jesse, is the kind of person who does what pleases me. He will do everything I want him to do.’”)  God sent Samuel and he anointed David to be King as instructed, the Bible says in 1 Samuel 16:13b (NIV) – “and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”

However, David went through a lot of difficulties.  His brothers were jealous of him and made his life miserable.  While he was a faithful servant to Saul, Saul tried many times to kill David; and, although David had the opportunity more than once to kill Saul, he did not.  Even after becoming King of Israel David had to do battle almost constantly with enemies of Israel but he conquered many armies helping Israel to become even stronger.  Although David was a great military conqueror – he could not seem to conquer himself.

2 Samuel 11:1a (CEV) says:  “It was now spring, the time when kings go to war. David sent out the whole Israelite army under the command of Joab and his officers.”  David was not where he was supposed to be.  Not only was he the king, but he was a great warrior – therefore, he should have been with his troops – why he was not, it does not say.    But, he stayed home and sent his troops to battle without his leadership.  

Anytime that we get out of God’s will for our lives, we open ourselves up to the fiery darts of the devil.  One of those darts – the lust of the flesh – struck David and he knowingly fell into sin.  One evening while walking on the roof of the palace, he noticed a woman and sent for her.  He was told she was married to one of his soldiers, but he slept with her anyway and she conceived a child.  When she sent word to him that she was pregnant, David sent for her husband Uriah, bringing him in from the battle.  When he arrived, David asked him questions about the battle then told him to go home.  His ulterior motive was that Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba and would think the child was his own.  

In contrast to David’s deceptive, sinful behavior, we see Uriah exhibit rare loyalty.  Uriah did not go home as he had been encouraged to do by the king.  Why?  Because his fellow soldiers were all still on the battlefield away from their families and homes.  This should have been enough to prick the conscience of David and prick his spirit.  But instead, those fiery darts kept coming until it escalated and David started scheming to cover his sin.  It evolved into lying and attempted deception.  He then plotted the death of Uriah.

He sent word to the commanding officer to send Uriah to the battle front and then to withdraw leaving him to be killed.  This would then free David to marry Bathsheba.  Needless to say, according to 2 Samuel 11:27b (NIV), it comes as no surprise to read that “…the thing David had done displeased the Lord.”  

The steps of David’s sins:                                                                                                                                                                   1. He stayed home instead of going to battle with his soldiers where he should have been.                                             2.  As a result of being where he should not have been, he ended up committing adultery – defiling Bathsheba.  She is now caught up in his web and will have consequences as well.                                                                                            3.  He tried to cover those sins by basically plotting murder.                                                                                                    4.  Some of his subordinates had to play a part in his evil plot.  Can you imagine the horror of Uriah’s fellow soldiers when they witnessed what was intentionally done?  I am sure there were some that also had to lie to help cover it all up – also drawing them into his web of sins.    

The Lord directed a prophet named Nathan to go to David.  When David was confronted by Nathan about his sins, David confessed.  2 Samuel 12:13-14 (CEV) says:  “David said, ‘I have disobeyed the Lord.’  ‘Yes, you have!’ Nathan answered. ‘You showed you didn’t care what the Lord wanted. He has forgiven you, and you won’t die. But your newborn son will.’”  There were consequences to be suffered as a result of the sins – they were not removed from him.  

David then shows his deep love for the Lord and the acceptance of his consequences.  When the child he conceived with Bathsheba was born he became ill.  David fasted and was pleading with God for the child’s life; but, on the seventh day he died.  2 Samuel 12:20 (MSG) says:  “David got up from the floor, washed his face and combed his hair, put on a fresh change of clothes, then went into the sanctuary and worshiped. Then he came home and asked for something to eat. They set it before him and he ate.”                                                                               

Some of the other children born to David and Bathsheba were a disgrace to them – committing incest, rape, murder and general rebellion.  In fact, eventually David even had to flee from one of his own sons that turned on him.  David’s sinful actions resulted in some devastating consequences that he, his family, his subordinates and his nation had to deal with.  He obviously was not a successful father.

Despite all of his sinfulness, as a result of having a deep love and faith in God, David was favored in many ways.  One was the birth of Solomon who became one of Israel’s greatest kings.  David also left us an example of a passionate love of God and dozens of Psalms – some of the most touching, beautiful poetry ever written.

Our lives are not that different from David.  Honest self-examination is necessary to recognize our own sin, then we must repent of it.  We may try to fool ourselves or others, but we cannot hide our sin from God.  Our actions will always result in consequences – sometimes only affecting us but many times affecting others as well – just as David’s did.  God always offers forgiveness for our sins, but we cannot escape the consequences.  God highly values our faith in him.  Despite life’s ups and downs, God is ever-present to give us comfort and help – thank goodness!

Could you accept such life-changing, heart-breaking consequences as easily and quickly as David did?  Upon learning his son had died, he got himself up, brushed himself off and went to church to worship his Lord.  I am not sure I could – even knowing I brought them onto myself.  Therefore, obviously the best way to live is in the will of God.  I would rather not have to suffer consequences for my failings.  God, help me to keep my eyes and heart trained on you!

[All bold emphasis is mine]

Written by Karran Martin – September 29, 2018 

Revised March 3, 2019 & August 30, 2025