Key scripture – “Ahithophel answered, ‘Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute’” (2 Samuel 16:21 NIV).

Author, Whitney Capps says that David’s story can be divided into two halves – life before his sin with Bathsheba and after. This defining moment changes everything for David, his children and countless Israelites who are swept up in the conflict that results from it.

In 2 Samuel 16 we read about some of that conflict. King David and his loyal followers are now fugitives, because Absalom, one of David’s sons, has usurped the throne, and David is hiding and running again for his life, but this time it is from his own son.

In this season of David’s life his sin with Bathsheba (adultery) and the killing of her husband, Uriah, has brought God’s judgment on David’s household. The prophet Nathan delivered the Lord’s rebuke of David’s adultery, when he said, “Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel” (2 Samuel 12:11-12).

That judgment is realized here in 2 Samuel 16. Taking the advice of Ahithophel, Absalom decides to assert his authority and cement his claim on the throne by sleeping with his father’s concubines on the roof of the palace in the sight of all of Israel. Calamity has indeed come to David from within his own family, and this is a sad moment for David and all of Israel, because David’s sin had lasting consequences for more than just his family.

Like David, when we say yes to sin, we say yes to God’s judgment, which is God’s divine assessment and punishment of sin. God can use various means to demonstrate His judgment – through circumstances, people and conviction. Even though it is not pleasant, His judgment can be trusted and always serves a purpose.

God’s judgment rightly deals with our sin, but it also serves to warn against future sin. That one sinful choice in David’s life changed everything for him: His son’s heart was turned against David in pride and rebellion; and conflict was an ever-present reality after his sinful choice. The example of God’s judgment of David is an invitation for us to always stop and weigh the potential consequences of our own sin.

What if you knew one sinful choice was going to dramatically alter your future? The truth is, any sinful decision has that potential. You don’t know the end of your story, but 2 Samuel gives us the end of David’s. What will you do with that knowledge? Will you go ahead and chose to sin and choose to suffer like David?

I urge you to read Psalm 51 which is the Psalm that David wrote after Nathan approached him about his sin. David wrote that Psalm as he cried out to God and confessed and repented his sins. If you have sinned, stop right now and get right with God. You can pray through Psalm 51 and confess and repent your sin.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, thank You for the warning of David’s story. Help me learn from the consequences that David had to live with as a result of his sinful choices. I confess I don’t always weigh the potential problems that my choices can bring. I want to make wiser and better decisions. Teach me good judgment and knowledge through Your Word. Father, You made me and created me, now give me the sense to follow your commands. I want to be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed because Your commandments give me life and make me wise. Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end. Guide my steps by Your word, so that I will not be overcome by evil. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live upright and blameless. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.