The tragic sin of David

It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. – 2 Samuel 11.1

We now enter the tragic account of the sin of a man of God. This is always ate tragic tale to read, but even more of a tragedy to live through. With our 20/20 hindsight it is easy to see where David went wrong. What we need is to see it when we a re going through it ourselves.

It all started with David being in the wrong place. I don’t want to question why, but at the time of year when kings are supposed to out on the battlefront David was hanging around Jerusalem.

Whenever we allow ourselves to be where we are not supposed to be we are setting ourselves up for danger. Why wasn't David in battle with his men?

I guess we could try to guess all day, but we can only guess. We know from what follows that he was primed for a fall. If he had only been in the proper place all the ugly mess to follow could have been avoided.

I think we can do the same thing ourselves. Instead of going where God wants us to go or doing what God wants us to do our flesh can take control and we find ourselves in the wrong place and time.

When that happens we had better beware. We are in danger of falling into sin.