The Case of the Open Window Shade, Part 1

Today on Insight for living Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll are most times is not when things are going hard times create people that are dependent you don't get proud when you're dependent on God. Pride happens when everything is swinging your direction when you just receive that promotion.

When you're growing in prestige and frame of significance at the time to watch out for several programs Chuck Swindoll's classic biographical series on David old man of passion and destiny along the way. We watched David's rise from virtual obscurity to the highest position in the land we see him slay a giant conqueror, his adversaries and win the affection of his people.

Today, however, we watched this man after God's own heart violate his own convictions. David's secret sin became very public and the consequences were devastated. Chuck titled today's message the case of the open windows reading the story of David and Bathsheba creates all different kinds of reaction. Some see that is the darkest day in David's life. Others lament how the mighty have fallen in Israel. Whatever your reaction may be.

This section of Scripture prompts us to remember the strong destructive power of sin, even when it begins with a seemingly harmless desire for forbidden fruit. What you listen carefully today I'm going to be reading this section from the message and I'll begin our reading from second Samuel verse one of chapter 11, when the time of year came around again, the anniversary of the Ammonite aggression. David dispatched Joab and his fighting men of Israel in full force to destroy the ammonites for good.

They laid siege to Rob but David stayed in Jerusalem, one late afternoon David got up from taking his nap and was strolling on the roof of the palace from his vantage point on the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was stunningly beautiful. David sent to ask about her and was told, isn't this Bathsheba daughter revealing him and wife of Uriah the Hittite. David said his agents to get her after she arrived, he went to bed with her. This occurred during the time of purification. Following her. Then she returned home. Before long she realized she was pregnant. Later she sent word to David I'm pregnant. David then got in touch with Joe Webb send Uriah the Hittite to me. Joab sent him when he arrived. David asking for news from the front how things were going with Joab and the troops and with the fighting that he said Uriah go home have a refreshing bath and a good nights rest after Uriah left the palace and informant of the King was sent after him, but Uriah didn't go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance along with the king's servants. David was told it. Uriah had not gone home. He asked Uriah.

Didn't you just come off a hard trip so why didn't you go home. Uriah replied to David, the chest is out there with the fighting men of Israel and Judah intense my master Joab and his servants are roughing it out in the fields so how can I go home and eat and drink and enjoy my wife on your life and not do it all right said David. Have it your way, stay for the day and I'll send you back tomorrow. So Uriah stated Jerusalem the rest of the day the next day David invited him to eat and drink with him and David got him drunk, but in the evening Uriah again went out and slept with his master's servants, he didn't go home in the morning. David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah in the letter he wrote put Uriah in the front lines for the fighting is the fiercest, then pulled back and leave him exposed so that he is sure to be killed. So Joab holding the city under siege put Uriah in a place where he knew there were fierce enemy fighters. When the city's defenders came out to fight Joab some of David's soldiers were killed including Uriah the Hittite Joab sent David a full report on the battle.

He instructed the messenger after you have given to the king. A detailed report on the battle if he flairs in anger say and by the way, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.

Joab's messenger arrived in Jerusalem and gave the king of full report. He said the enemy was too much for us. They advanced on us in the open field and we push them back to the city gate but then arrows came hot and heavy on us from the city wall and 18 of the king. Soldiers died when the messenger completed his report of the battle.

David got angry Joab. He vented it on the messenger why did you get so close to the city. You know, you'd be attacked from the wall.

Then you remember how Abimelech set of general dayshift got killed wasn't a woman who dropped a millstone on him from the wall and crushed him the payments.

Why did you go close to the wall by the way, so Joab's messenger, your servant Uriah the Hittite did. Then David told the messenger.

All I see till Joab don't trouble yourself over this war kills. Sometimes one sometimes another. You never know who's next redouble your assault on the city and destroy it encouraged Joanne Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead. She grieved for her husband. When the time of morning was over, David sent someone to bring her to his house. She became his wife and bore him a son site for living to dig deeper into the Bible with Chuck's window. Be sure to download his searching the Scriptures. Studies by going to Insight.org/studies now Chuck describes the case of the open window shade. The Bible never flatters its heroes, all the men and women of Scripture have feet of clay and when the Holy Spirit paints a picture that's a portrait of their lives. He is a very realistic artist.

He doesn't gloss over the dark side of their lives. Personally, when I come across a passage like second Samuel chapter 11 as we are going into with David. I am forever grateful that he no longer is writing the Bible. I am glad that he has finished writing Scripture because is not a person out of the sound of my voice right now who would want to have his failures and vices recorded for all generations to read and discuss and make movies about and write books on and preach sermons on down through the centuries. I breathe a sigh of relief, but David doesn't. As I take on this study. You and I know that there has been no sin.

Save the sin of Adam and Eve that has received more press than the sin of David with Bathsheba. It is possible to exploit the passage rather than ask positive, thereby giving the idea that this man was some sort of uncontrollable animal that's not true that's not true at all. David is a man of God. He remains a man of God after Chapter 11.

Just like before it, and he has lapsed. This night we will see into sin, but his sin is no greater then your sin or mine and we are simply grateful hours have not been recorded. I'm not justifying it, and as you will hear and I'm certainly not defending just trying to put it in a proper perspective. If you sit and cluck your tong or shake your head in shame against David, then you have missed the truth of first Corinthians 1012 let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. Just between the words stand and fall are the words, take heed in the Scriptures and you and I need to do that on a regular basis. We need to take heed and that is the greatest counsel you can receive from this pulpit. If you do not take heed our time together was of no avail.

If you do not run as fast as you can run from this kind of temptation you will fall even if your life is the likes of David, I have to confess to you that if there was any evening in which I would've preferred to have an all men audience. It would have been tonight I almost was. I was almost tempted to ask for that day. But then I thought, well, there are some things that are to be said that some of the women here need to take to heart as well, for there were two involved in this in this devastating act, but I want to want to get the wrong idea. David is now a man about 50 years old. Perhaps older.

He has been on the throne from 17 to 20 years. No one knows exactly how long probably more like two decades he has distinguished himself as a man of God as a composer of Psalms as a person who was a valiant warrior and the battlefield and is a person who certainly deserves the respect of the nation there is there a few minutes Scripture with greater charisma than David, he not only led the people in righteousness he gave them the romance of the Psalms loses with charisma. He is a man who wins your heart and that is the reason his biography is the greatest of all in Scripture, save that of Jesus Christ himself.

He's a man as well, who is shown a marked degree of grace and compassion because he's the one who took in the fellowship. Remember and showed grace to that cripple and gave him whatever he needed in the kingdom kept his promise to Jonathan and Saul soon as you hear what we have to say about this man understand were not examining the life of a rebel. He's no pervert. He is no individual who has forever fallen never to be revived, but he does sin and his sin has a devastating consequence on his family on his rain and on his nation. This kind of sin always does some sins are without the body, and do not have the impact of those sins that come from within, and sexual sin seem to have within them a greater weight so that's why were to take heed lest we fall. The warning fits people who are in their 50s and 60s just as much as those of you in your teens and 20s 30s and 40s. No one ever gets too old to fall.

No person suddenly becomes base. There's no such thing as sudden adultery. It happens over long haul.

David's life is like a neglected seawall standing constantly against the barrage of the tide in the waves in the rocks and the churning of the sea. Finally, in a weakened moment crumbles at his feet and he pays it terrible price.

Let's go back before second Samuel chapter 11 to chapter 5. Look at verse 13 with me how to show you the black backdrop that led to this sin because I don't want to have the idea that he suddenly fell. He didn't some chinks in his armor had already begun to form.

Look at second Samuel 513. Let's take verse 12 David realize that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel is a David realize that he realized the hand of God was on him, he realized the Lord's blessing was there.

Meanwhile, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he came from. He brought in more sons and daughters were born to David that I read that rather glibly because it seems to be the way it is written, the first word of the of the sentence suggests that it was sort of an afterthought. Oh yeah by the way, come to think of it.

David added concubines and wives to his harem. Oh meanwhile, as the blessing of God was on the people and upon the kingdom. I recall as I write this record, he increased the number of his wives, his harem grew larger. This was in direct contradiction with Scripture. You hold your place here will go back to set to Deuteronomy 17 and you will read with me. The three things that were to mark the king of Israel's life. Deuteronomy 17 verse 14 and following.

I want you to see in this passage was a very insightful passage that there were three things that were not to be numbered among the kings of Israel. Deuteronomy 1714. When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, and you possess it, and you live in it and you say I will set a king over me like all the nations who are around me. You shall surely set a king over you, whom the Lord your God chooses one from among your countrymen.

You shall set as king over yourselves.

You may not put a foreigner over yourselves, who is not your countrymen. Moreover, number one, he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses since the Lord has said to you, you shall never again return. That way number two, neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away number three, nor shall he greatly increased silver and gold for himself.

David was faithful in the first and the third, but he was a man of passion and he failed in the second. It is interesting to me to note that as the harem grew and is the number of wives and concubines increased. His passion was not abated. The man who took another man's wife name Bathsheba had a harem full of women concubines and wives at his disposal.

The simple fact is that the passion of sex is not released by a full harem. It is increased. Many women or men, a man does not release the drive, it increases it.

David being a man of strong sexual drive thought to satisfy it, I will have more women and as he became the King. Meanwhile, he added to the harem in his drive increased one of the lies of our secular society is that if you just satisfy this drive that'll be abated.

It isn't abated is increased David back in second Samuel chapter 5 verse 13 has broken with Scripture but you know who in the kingdom is going to blow the whistle on that kind of person who in the kingdom can say David's at fall because look at his track record. Two decades of the unsullied character. No defeat of the battlefield absolutes sterling leadership choice man in the right places.

The promotion of a military force that now is reached 60,000 mi.². Export import money in hand, a beautiful home plans for the temple of the Lord who can point a finger of accusation against David. So what if he takes a few more women and marries him and increases his number concubines.

So what they turn their heart. They turn the heart of the king from the Lord is what Deuteronomy said somehow something happened to break down his integrity.

That's the first problem polygamy second vulnerability between chapters 5 and 11 you will read of nothing but a success story.

He is at an all-time high. He is fresh off a series of great victories in the battlefield. He has reached the peak of public admiration. He has ample money incredible power remarkable same as lifestyle looks like this arrow going further and further up to the clouds like the climbing of a jet as it increases in altitude further and further and further up to the clouds is the life of David mean you can't point a finger of accusation and therefore is vulnerable in all our most difficult times is not when things are going hard hard times create people that are dependent you don't get proud when you're dependent on God. Pride happens when everything is swinging in your direction when you just receive that promotion. When you look back and you can see an almost spotless record in the last number of months when you're growing in prestige and fame and significance at the time to watch out in the backwash of all this David is vulnerable and I don't know but what he is beginning to believe his own track record. Because when you get the Chapter 11. He is indulging himself.

That's the third chink in the armor indulgence that we looked at David earlier and we saw that he indulged his sons, he never brought the rod upon one of the sons name Henneman Adonijah should say and he certainly didn't discipline Absalom.

Absalom was a young man that was so handsome attractive.

Surely Absalom didn't need the rod and before long we find David completely removed from the direction of his family and he leaves it to his multiple staff of wives to run the home and David is not busily engaged in battle and you'll notice also when the bills come due.

He's relaxed in his responsibilities. See verse one of Chapter 11 we find David in this elegantly furnished bedroom. Perhaps a velvet bedspread. Lovely heavy drapes hanging on the walls around the windows. It happened in the spring. You can almost feel that the warm breezes blowing over Jerusalem, the rainy season is over and the sun is beginning to shine again. The clouds are gone and the skies are clear. It's just a beautiful warm lovely Jerusalem evening in the springtime.

The verse says when the kings normally were to go out to battle. But David sent Joab and his servants with him and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and proceeds drama but David stated Jerusalem. David's in bed, not in battle he doesn't delegate the job to Joab.

He neglects his job. He belonged with the troops. Had he been there, there would never have been a Bathsheba episode. Our greatest battle is not working hard is when we have a lot of leisure you got time on her hands and were bored in the spring of the year when were yawning and stretching and get the sleep out of our eyes and we can't sleep at night and we make those fateful decisions that haunt us.

It is so very important today in our society. When anything goes. But if you want to be part of the answer rather than part of the problem you work in cooperation with righteousness. That means you give thought to what you by before you buy it and where it ladies and that means man when you happen upon a very beautiful and alluring object. You do not linger, not even David and all godliness could handle it was too big.

These are the timeless lessons from this passage in second Samuel 11 and there's much more ahead when Chuck Swindoll continues his message called the case of the open window shade remind you that in addition to the daily Insight for living broadcast every sermon Chuck presents on this program is complemented by online study notes. This allows you to jot down your own thoughts into your computer or you can print out the document as a permanent reference tool we call these free resources searching the Scriptures. Studies and you can begin right now by going to Insight.org/studies. Chuck is also written a full-length biography on David. It includes an entire chapter on the message you heard today.

In fact, there are 24 chapters in all and many of Chuck's readers of told us he makes biblical characters like David come to life to purchase a copy go directly to Insight.org/or give us a call if you're listening in the United States, call 800-772-8888.

The title of Chuck's book is David a man of passion and destiny were grateful for all those who financially support Insight for living ministry because of the generosity of those who give were able to bring Chuck's teaching to your station every day plus inside for living is heard around the world in eight languages other than English.

In fact, it's our long-term dream to make disciples of Jesus Christ in all 195 countries of the world. We call this mission, vision, 195 by giving a donation of any amount you're joining us as we strive ahead on this global mission. If you prefer to give over the phone. Call us if you're listening in the United States, call 800-772-8880 or go online to Insight.org/don't. In March, 20, 23 Insight for living ministries is hosting an unforgettable journey to Israel carefully planned to deepen your understanding of the Bible and draw you closer to God hears Chuck's window for thousands of years. No place is more meaningful to God's children in the land of Israel. The rugged landscape reminds us to find refuge in God alone. The fertile valleys invite us to follow our shepherd. Jerusalem's position at the very center of the world announces the good news of Christ's every nation and now you can see Israel with Chuck Swindoll and Insight for living ministry March 5 through the 16th 2023.

Every time I visited the holy land of returned home with the refreshed part for God and a renewed vision for the world really. I mean it every time it's all want you to have the same life changing experience to learn more, go to Insight.org/events call this number 1-888-447-0444 Insight for living ministries toward Israel is paid for and made possible by only those who choose to attend. I'm Bill Meyer. Join us again when Chuck Swindoll continues to describe the case of the open window shade Tuesday on Insight for living.

The preceding message is the case of the open window shade was copyrighted in 1978, 1988, 1997 and 2009 and the sound recording was copyrighted in 2009 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. all rights are reserved.

Wine duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited