patriarchs and prophets-第187章
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impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict； and whatever
diverts the mind from God； whatever leads to self…exaltation or to
self…dependence； is surely preparing the way for our overthrow。 The tenor of
the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in
divine power。
It was the spirit of self…confidence and self…exaltation that prepared the
way for David's fall。 Flattery and the subtle allurements of power and
luxury were not without effect upon him。 Intercourse with surrounding
nations also exerted an influence for evil。 According to the customs
prevailing among Eastern rulers； crimes not to be tolerated in subjects were
uncondemned in the king； the monarch was not under obligation to exercise
the same self…restraint as the subject。 All this tended to lessen David's
sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin。 And instead of relying in humility
upon the power of Jehovah； he began to trust to his own wisdom and might。 As
soon as Satan can separate the soul from
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God； the only Source of strength； he will seek to arouse the unholy desires
of man's carnal nature。 The work of the enemy is not abrupt； it is not； at
the outset； sudden and startling； it is a secret undermining of the
strongholds of principle。 It begins in apparently small thingsthe neglect
to be true to God and to rely upon Him wholly； the disposition to follow the
customs and practices of the world。
Before the conclusion of the war with the Ammonites； David； leaving the
conduct of the army to Joab； returned to Jerusalem。 The Syrians had already
submitted to Israel； and the complete overthrow of the Ammonites appeared
certain。 David was surrounded by the fruits of victory and the honors of his
wise and able rule。 It was now； while he was at ease and unguarded； that the
tempter seized the opportunity to occupy his mind。 The fact that God had
taken David into so close connection with Himself and had manifested so
great favor toward him； should have been to him the strongest of incentives
to preserve his character unblemished。 But when in ease and self…security he
let go his hold upon God； David yielded to Satan and brought upon his soul
the stain of guilt。 He； the Heaven…appointed leader of the nation； chosen by
God to execute His law； himself trampled upon its precepts。 He who should
have been a terror to evildoers； by his own act strengthened their hands。
Amid the perils of his earlier life David in conscious integrity could trust
his case with God。 The Lord's hand had guided him safely past the unnumbered
snares that had been laid for his feet。 But now； guilty and unrepentant； he
did not ask help and guidance from Heaven； but sought to extricate himself
from the dangers in which sin had involved him。 Bathsheba； whose fatal
beauty had proved a snare to the king； was the wife of Uriah the Hittite；
one of David's bravest and most faithful officers。 None could foresee what
would be the result should the crime become known。 The law of God pronounced
the adulterer guilty of death； and the proud…spirited soldier； so shamefully
wronged； might avenge himself by taking the life of the king or by exciting
the nation to revolt。
Every effort which David made to conceal his guilt proved unavailing。 He had
betrayed himself into the power of Satan； danger surrounded him； dishonor
more bitter than death was
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before him。 There appeared but one way of escape； and in his desperation he
was hurried on to add murder to adultery。 He who had compassed the
destruction of Saul was seeking to lead David also to ruin。 Though the
temptations were different； they were alike in leading to transgression of
God's law。 David reasoned that if Uriah were slain by the hand of enemies in
battle； the guilt of his death could not be traced home to the king；
Bathsheba would be free to become David's wife； suspicion could be averted；
and the royal honor would be maintained。
Uriah was made the bearer of his own death warrant。 A letter sent by his
hand to Joab from the king commanded； 〃Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the
hottest battle； and retire ye from him； that he may be smitten； and die。〃
Joab； already stained with the guilt of one wanton murder； did not hesitate
to obey the king's instructions； and Uriah fell by the sword of the children
of Ammon。
Heretofore David's record as a ruler had been such as few monarchs have ever
equaled。 It is written of him that he 〃executed judgment and justice unto
all his people。〃 2 Samuel 8：15。 His integrity had won the confidence and
fealty of the nation。 But as he departed from God and yielded himself to the
wicked one； he became for the time the agent of Satan； yet he still held the
position and authority that God had given him； and because of this； claimed
obedience that would imperil the soul of him who should yield it。 And Joab；
whose allegiance had been given to the king rather than to God； transgressed
God's law because the king commanded it。
David's power had been given him by God； but to be exercised only in harmony
with the divine law。 When he commanded that which was contrary to God's law；
it became sin to obey。 〃The powers that be are ordained of God〃 （Romans
13：1）； but we are not to obey them contrary to God's law。 The apostle Paul；
writing to the Corinthians； sets forth the principle by which we should be
governed。 He says； 〃Be ye followers of me； even as I also am of Christ。〃 1
Corinthians 11：1。
An account of the execution of his order was sent to David； but so carefully
worded as not to implicate either Joab or the king。 Joab 〃charged the
messenger saying； When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the
war unto the king；
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and if so be that the king's wrath arise； 。 。 。then say thou； Thy servant
Uriah the Hittite is dead also。 So the messenger went； and came and showed
David all that Joab had sent him for。〃
The king's answer was； 〃Thus shalt thou say unto Joab； Let not this thing
displease thee； for the sword devoureth one as well as another： make thy
battle more strong against the city； and overthrow it： and encourage thou
him。〃
Bathsheba observed the customary days of mourning for her husband； and at
their close 〃David sent and fetched her to his house； and she became his
wife。〃 He whose tender conscience and high sense of honor would not permit
him； even when in peril of his life； to put forth his hand against the
Lord's anointed； had so fallen that he could wrong and murder one of his
most faithful and most valiant soldiers； and hope to enjoy undisturbed the
reward of his sin。 Alas！ how had the fine gold become dim！ how had the most
fine gold changed！
From the beginning Satan has portrayed to men the gains to be won by
transgression。 Thus he seduced angels。 Thus he tempted Adam and Eve to sin。
And thus he is still leading multitudes away from obedience to God。 The path
of transgression is made to appear desirable； 〃but the end thereof are the
ways of death。〃 Proverbs 14：12。 Happy they who； having ventured in this way；
learn how bitter are the fruits of sin； and turn from it betimes。 God in His
mercy did not leave David to be lured to utter ruin by the deceitful rewards
of sin。
For the sake of Israel also there was a necessity for God to interpose。 As
time passed on； David's sin toward Bathsheba became known； and suspicion was
excited that he had planned the death of Uriah。 The Lord was dishonored。 He
had favored and exalted David； and David's sin misrepresented the character
of God and cast reproach upon His name。 It tended to lower the standard of
godliness in Israel； to lessen in many minds the abhorrence of sin； while
those who did not love and fear God were by it emboldened in transgression。
Nathan the prophet was bidden to bear a message of reproof to David。 It was
a message terrible in its severity。 To few sovereigns could such a reproof
be given but at the price of certain death to the reprover。 Nathan delivered
the divine sentence unflinchingly； yet with such heaven…born wisdom as to
engage the
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