Wages of Sin

2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. 3 David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, "This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite." 4 So David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (2 Samuel 11:2-4)

King David saw a beautiful woman. He found out who she was. She was the wife and the daughter of two of his best warriors. David had fought along side these men. Why wasn't David with his troops now? The king was not about the business of the throne.

Bathsheba was engaging in the ritual of cleansing after her period that was required by temple law. She was where she was supposed to be, doing what she was required by law to do. Yet she was the victim of the reckless selfishness of one who had power over her and her family.

David made a conscious decision to use Bathsheba, knowing that she was off limits. When informed of Bathsheba's pregnancy David attempted to cover his sin. He called Uriah back from fighting and attempted to convince Uriah to take a break and sleep with his wife. Being a man of integrity, Uriah would not partake in this pleasure while his troops were still fighting. So David had Uriah placed on the front lines where he would be killed.

Did David think God didn't see - that God didn't know?

1 Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3 They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. 4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the LORD? 5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. 7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad. (Psalm 14:1-7)