Sex, Lies, and Deceit

The story of King David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) is a tale of sex, lies, and deceit that rivals any modern-day scandal.

by Father Lee Davis on July 24, 2024

Sex, Lies, and Deceit: A Biblical Scandal with Modern Lessons

You thought today's politics were bad? The story of King David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel chapter 11 is a tale of sex, lies, and deceit that rivals any modern-day scandal. Yet, this ancient narrative offers profound lessons for Christians today.

The Scandal Unfolds

In the spring, when kings typically go to war, King David remained in Jerusalem while his army fought the Ammonites. One evening, from the rooftop of his palace, David spotted Bathsheba, a beautiful woman bathing. His curiosity and lust led him to inquire about her. Despite knowing she was married to Uriah the Hittite, David sent for Bathsheba and slept with her. She soon discovered she was pregnant and informed David.

In a bid to conceal his transgression, David summoned Uriah from the battlefield, hoping he would sleep with Bathsheba and believe the child to be his. Uriah, demonstrating remarkable integrity, refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were at war. Even when David tried to intoxicate him, Uriah did not go home.

Desperation drove David to a darker scheme. He wrote a letter to Joab, his army commander, instructing him to place Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle and then withdraw, leaving him to die. Ironically, Uriah carried this letter himself, unaware of its contents. Joab obeyed, and Uriah was killed in battle.

Consequences and Repentance

After Uriah’s death, David married Bathsheba. However, the Lord was displeased with David’s actions. The prophet Nathan confronted David, telling a parable of a rich man who took a poor man's only lamb. David, incensed by the story, condemned the rich man, only to be told, "You are the man!" David realized his sin and repented deeply.

Despite his repentance, the consequences of his actions were severe. The child born to Bathsheba fell ill and died. David's family faced turmoil, with strife and rebellion among his children. Yet, through his repentance and God's mercy, David and Bathsheba’s next son, Solomon, would become one of Israel’s greatest kings.

Modern Lessons for Christians

  1. The Need for Repentance:
    • David’s repentance is a model for Christians. Despite the gravity of his sins, he sought God’s forgiveness. True repentance involves acknowledging how we turned away from God and seeking to make amends, turning back towards God. This story reminds us that no sin is too great to bring before God, and genuine repentance can lead to restoration.
  2. Consequences of Actions:
    • David faced severe consequences despite his repentance. We must always remember and understand that while forgiveness is available, actions have repercussions that can affect us and others. This serves as a sobering reminder that our choices have lasting impacts.
  3. God’s Mercy and Redemption:
    • Despite his failings, David was a man after God’s own heart, not because he is described that way in this story, but because the scriptural depiction of David shows that his heart was pointed to God and he had a deep desire to follow God’s will. God’s mercy is abundant, and He can bring redemption from our worst mistakes, as seen in the birth of Solomon, highlighting that God’s grace is powerful enough to transform even the direst situations into opportunities for new beginnings.

The story of David and Bathsheba is more than an ancient scandal; it’s a powerful narrative that speaks to the complexities of human nature, the destructiveness of sin, and the boundless grace of God.

 

About the Author
Father Lee Davis

After a diverse career in marketing and finance and a sudden realization of the love and power of God that he discovered aboard a Navy ship, Father Lee Davis has the distinction of being baptized, confirmed, and received for Holy Orders on the same Sunday. He studied at Bexley Hall Seminary in Columbus, Ohio where he received a Master's of Divinity degree in 2009 and then served as priest-in-charge of St. Andrew's in Hollywood, Florida as well as an assisting priest at St. Benedict's in Plantation. Father Lee also worked as a Hospice Chaplain. When he left after a little more than two years, St. Andrew's had grown in membership and under his guidance extended its outreach into the community. He was also a pivotal leader of the Jubilee Center of Hollywood, a vital outreach ministry to the homeless and hungry, and served on the Board of Directors for St. Lawrence Chapel, serving the homeless in Pompano Beach. He also served on several diocesan committees working with the youth of the diocese.


In December 2012, Father Lee was called as rector of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Damascus, Maryland. During his 8 year tenure there the vestry of the parish noted that "His dynamic leadership, inspired preaching, creative ideas and compassionate pastoral care combined to bring a new level of excitement, commitment, and growth among the congregation." Through his leadership, he developed partnerships with other organizations in the community, helped establish a transitional home for victim's of domestic violence, began the process of developing affordable senior housing on some of the acreages of land owned by the church, and grew stewardship achieving their first balanced budget in over a decade. At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, he led the congregation into the development of an online presence and with a couple of dedicated lay members started a feeding program for families in need which continues today. He served in the Diocese of Washington DC helping in the implementation of a Diaconate Formation program as well as being on the Board of Directors of the Washington Episcopal Clergy Association and serving on the Diocesan Executive Council.


Amidst the COVID pandemic, Father Lee accepted the call to be our rector and began his tenure in September 2019. His leadership has already blessed our community.

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