King David and Bathsheba
2 Samuel 11:2-27
Let me introduce the story of Bathsheba with another story.
On Tuesday, September 23, 1924, in all the newspapers of that day, the horrible
and shocking news was sent broadcast that the Reverend Lawrence M. Hight, Methodist
minister of Ina, Illinois, had confessed to a diabolical double murder.
He had fancied a beautiful married woman in his church, so he murdered his loyal and dutiful
wife, the mother of his children, and he murdered the husband of the married woman.
He intended to marry the woman, but the law caught up with him, and he made
his full confession in a heavily guarded jail cell.[1]
If that story shocks you then the story of King David and Bathsheba should
shock you even more.
King David sees a pretty woman, Bathsheba, who happens to
be already married. King David sends "messengers" who bring Bathsheba to him. King David has
sex with Bathsheba, a married woman, gets her pregnant, and then has
Bathsheba's husband murdered so he can marry Bathsheba for himself. The only
difference between King David and the Reverend Lawrence M. Hight is King David
doesn't have to kill off his other eight wives before marrying Bathsheba
because he's a polygamist. The other difference is King David gets away with it.
Even the Lord doesn't punish him. The Lord gets angry, King David says, "Oops,
I have sinned against the Lord," and the Lord instantly forgives him
(2 Samuel 12:13).
What can we say of such an example of justice?
2 Samuel 11:2-27
The Story of King David and Bathsheba.
[1] New York Times, Tuesday September 23, 1924. Pg. 22
