Bible Talks

2 Samuel 10:7-11:57And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 8And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field. 9When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: 10And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. 11And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. 12Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth him good. 13And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 14And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. 15And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them. 17And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. 18And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there. 19And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more. 1And 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. 2And 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. 3And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4And 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. 5And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. (2 Samuel 10:7‑11:5).
WHEN Hanun refused David’s kindness, David sent an army against him and his people. The Ammonites, along with all who were confederate with them, were utterly defeated and brought into subjection to David. Thus in a coming day all those who have rejected the glorious message of the gospel, whether it be the gospel of the grace of God now, or the gospel of the kingdom later, will be brought into judgment. All will someday have to bow the knee and own Jesus as Lord, even those who meet the awful doom of spending eternity in the lake of fire.
God had blessed David and used him mightily in subduing His enemies round about, but now he seemed to forget the need of dependence on the Lord and he began to relax. He gave up the conflicts for a while, and let Joab carry on. What a mistake! There is no “time off” in the Christian warfare. We ought always to have on the whole armor of God and to be prepared for the battle. If we relax the enemy is sure to get the advantage, and perhaps there is no time more dangerous than after a great victory. The enemy hates to see the Christian making progress and the active, faithful one is the target of his special attack. Satan watches his opportunity and knows just when to bring his attacks too. He knows our unwatchful moments and our weak points. May we take to heart the warning words of the Lord Jesus to His disciples, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Matthew 26:4141Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41). We cannot trust our own hearts — not for a moment.
One time when David had been resting during the day, while his men were out fighting on the battlefields, he got up in the evening and looked around. We might say here that it is a great thing to keep busy during the daytime so that we are wholesomely tired when the night comes. The Scripture says,
“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thess. 5:5,65Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:5‑6). David, however, fresh and rested for the evening, and forgetting the battles of the Lord that were being fought in the open fields, looked out and saw a beautiful woman and lusted after her in his heart. The first step in departure was to neglect his responsibility in connection with the Lord’s battles and to choose idleness instead. The next thing was that he was looking in the wrong direction, for he was looking down instead of up. Then, even after he had seen this beautiful woman, he had time, after he found out that she was the wife of Uriah, to say “No” to the evil thoughts that arose in his heart, but alas, one step always leads to another, and the downward course is always slippery and swift. David, great king and servant of the Lord though he was, was caught in the trap of Satan, and he went ahead and committed the awful act.
Nor was this all. As soon as he had sinned he immediately sought means to hide it; but all his attempts were in vain, though at first they seemed to work. Dear reader, you and I cannot hide anything from God, and it only makes one miserable to try. “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:2323But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23). “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13).
Messages of God’s Love 6/12/1955