Unwise Decisions

Previously in the Written on Our Hearts Series: Intro; Rahab: Got Labels? and That Prostitute is My Grandma; Ruth: Hang On , Woven and Spun Part One and Woven and Spun Part Two; Michal: The Daughter of Saul.

I personally find the redemption story of David and Bathsheba to be the most hopeful. That’s probably because it’s the most relatable for me. No, I haven’t killed anyone. I have made my share of unwise decisions, though. I’ve plotted and schemed to cover up mistakes. I’ve used my influence to get my own way. So when I read how God redeems the unwise decisions of this story for great wisdom, I couldn’t help but rejoice.

Here is quick summary of the story.

It was spring time. The sun was warming up the air, the birds were chirping and the flowers were in bloom. The men had gone to war, but David decided to stayed home. He was enjoying the lovely weather from the roof of his house when he noticed Bathsheba. She too was enjoying the weather by bathing outside. Up to this point nothing wrong had happened, just two people enjoying the weather. But David started asking about Bathsheba and learned that she was Uriah’s wife. Uriah was out with the other men at war. So David sends his messengers to get her. Bathsheba comes to him. She becomes pregnant. David tries to cover up the affair by having Uriah called home from war. Uriah is a good man. He won’t go home to be with his wife while the other men are still fighting battles. David tries to change Uriah’s mind with wine. It didn’t work. So David sends Uriah back to war and has him killed. David then takes Bathsheba for his wife.

Bathsheba’s decision to go to King David got her entangled in the string of David’s bad choices. It ultimately resulted in the death of Uriah, her innocent husband. They created a nest of unnecessary temporary circumstances. But a broken and contrite spirit will never be despised by God. Let’s look at how God redeems unwise decisions and how God redeems wrong.

Unwise Decisions

The unwise decisions in this story start when David inquires about Bathsheba after seeing her from the roof of his house. It wasn’t wrong for Bathsheba to bathing outside. It wasn’t wrong for David to be on the roof of his house. It was unwise of David to dwell on what he saw. It was unwise for David to send for Bathsheba. Once Bathsheba had been brought to David, her king, it was unwise for Bathsheba to not run away from David’s advances.

Maybe you have heard, as I have, teachers speculate that David raped Bathsheba and that she didn’t have a choice. I don’t believe this is true. Rape isn’t recorded in the story. So I am writing from the perspective that David sent his men to get her and they brought her to him. Bathsheba then had a choice. I want to explore what Bathsheba may have been feeling.

Perhaps Bathsheba was awestruck by David’s attention. After all, David was famous, he was handsome, he was a fighter, he was the king. Oh, and he was a musician…he probably spoke with a British accent too. Bathsheba barely had a fighting chance, right? I can think of some invitations that would be hard for me to turn down. I mean, I wouldn’t go home with them, but I’d let’m buy my dinner.

What if Bathsheba was feeling something different from flattery? Imagine the intimidation factor of being brought to your king…and then he hits on you. That’s a hard spot. I’m reminded of how Potiphar’s wife put Joseph in a tough spot in Genesis 39. It says that Joseph “fled and got out of the house.” What if your boss asks you to do something that you know is wrong?

Let’s look at this from a different perspective other than physical temptations. It’s tempting to put Christian leaders and their ministries on pedestals. We can be too quick at times to let other people’s “revelations” replace the Holy Spirit’s purpose. I have my favorite teachers, leaders, songwriters, etc… who point me to Christ and challenge me to grow. Sometimes leaders stir up fear in my heart, and panic wants to take over. At the end of the day, I need to remember they are human. I cannot walk around in a starstruck gaze or a fear-stricken daze. Our gaze belongs on Jesus—he delivers us from evil.

Whether Bathsheba was feeling flattery, intimidation or temptation to put David on a pedestal, it was unwise for her to not run from the situation. We live in an interactive world. We are going to bump into things—people—ideologies—dreams—that we aren’t supposed to pursue. It is our choice to say no to flesh, no to fear and say yes to holiness.

Just Plain Wrong

The rest of the unwise decisions in the story of David and Bathsheba are at the hand of David. His decisions affected Bathsheba and became part of her temporary circumstances. David plots and schemes to cover up the adultery and the pregnancy. The cover up eventually led to having Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, killed. 2 Samuel 11:26 says, “…the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” David needed some help realizing what he had done and the extremities of his actions. The Lord spoke through David’s friend, Nathan the prophet. Nathan speaks to David in a way that snaps him up out of a stupor. He then delivers the heavy consequences that David will face because of the unwise decisions. David’s actions cost him his family’s peace and the life of his first child with Bathsheba. Ultimately, David’s decisions cost him his kingdom.

(The takeaways from the interaction between Nathan and David are many, but for another day. I will say, though, “faithful are the wounds of a friend.” (Proverbs 27:6) If you don’t have a Nathan in your life, get one.)

David’s decisions were wrong as a person, wrong as father, wrong as a king, but they were also wrong as a representative of the Lord. David was God’s chosen king. A man after God’s own heart. God’s representative. A leader. A minister. David’s decisions, from inquiring about Bathsheba to having Uriah killed in battle, were a misrepresentation of the Lord. It was a misuse of the position and authority God had entrusted to David. God says they weren’t just wrong, they were evil in His sight.

But…

David makes a great come back. He cries out for mercy. What God does with our brokenness is something remarkable. For a deeper look, read Psalms 51.

Eternal Definitions

I don’t know why God chose Bathsheba to be in Jesus’ bloodline. She was already a daughter of Israel. There is no record of an outstanding declaration of faith from her like we saw with Rahab and Ruth. But despite her unwise decision and those of David’s choice, she goes on to give birth to Solomon. “And the Lord loved [Solomon]” (2 Samuel 12:24). Solomon asks God for wisdom and becomes the wisest man and ruler ever to exist. (1 Kings 4) God redeems the unwise choices and temporary circumstances of David and Bathsheba and gives them a wise son, who carries on the family name.

As a bonus for David, Solomon carries his father’s love for God’s presence. He builds the temple that David dreamed for. As a bonus for Bathsheba, there is a moment of honor for her recorded in 1 Kings 2. Solomon had been anointed king by this time. She goes to speak to him about a family matter. It says that Solomon rose to greet her, bowed down to her, and then had a seat brought for her and placed at his right hand. I love that picture. Maybe that is a shadow of Christ—how he greets those of us who carry his name with honor. Ephesians says we were dead in our trespasses but raised to life and seated with Christ in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:5-6)

Do you see any other shadows of Christ in this story? What about this story gives you hope?

Relatable

As I mentioned before, I can relate to this story I have a collection of unwise decisions. I’ve been mistreated by ministers and ministries. And, heaviest of all, I’ve used the gifts and calling entrusted to me by God for my own gain and purposes. Some of those temporary circumstances are devastating.

But…

I can also relate to how God redeems my stupidity. He has not only healed deep wounds in me, but uses them to extend healing and hope to others. Although I am still watching and praying over some wounds I have caused, I can see God’s hand at work. I’m always amazed at how he paves a way for me to make amends—for his name’s sake!