Did David make Bathsheba stumble

[Jven79]

as in reference to Matthew 18:6? Did he not lead her to commit adultery, which would be causing a believer to stumble?

 

[~Anastasia~]

as in reference to Matthew 18:6? Did he not lead her to commit adultery, which would be causing a believer to stumble?

I think David certainly had the burden of responsibility in her sin.

We can often influence others to sin, even without meaning to. It is a good thing to be aware of, and try always to avoid.

I'm not sure what is your question in relating it to the verse?

 

[sdowney717]

She was a willing participant. Interestingly the judgement from God is more against David not her except that their
child dies.

 

[Jven79]

I think David certainly had the burden of responsibility in her sin.

We can often influence others to sin, even without meaning to. It is a good thing to be aware of, and try always to avoid.

I'm not sure what is your question in relating it to the verse?

Well not really a question, I was just concerned because I’d caused people, even believers, to stumble, and fear I can never be forgiven because of Jesus words of such a harsh penalty in Matthew

 

[ripple the car]

I always kind of read the story as "Bathsheba may not have screamed and ran, but when the King, who holds your life and your husband's life in his hand, demands to see you in his palace and then makes it known what he wants, turning him down is very difficult".

The fact that she mourned for her husband after his death and actually had to be fetched by David's servants (instead of her running to King David happily in light of the news) makes it sound like this was not something she would have chosen if she hadn't been caught bathing.

 

[A_Thinker]

She was a willing participant. Interestingly the judgement from God is more against David not her except that their
child dies.

He was the King.

He sent for her.

It would have taken quite a woman to resist the King's advances, especially knowing that her husband was in the line of fire.

But I guess that it didn't say that he took her against her will. But I will agree that it appears that the lion's share of God's judgement fell upon David ...

 

[~Anastasia~]

Well not really a question, I was just concerned because I’d caused people, even believers, to stumble, and fear I can never be forgiven because of Jesus words of such a harsh penalty in Matthew

No, you don't need to take that verse in that way. Causing another to sin or stumble is not the unforgivable sin. Thankfully. Because like I said, in our ignorance, we even do it all the time.

I think it might be better understood that someone who takes special delight in destroying the faith of babes in Christ ... will have a very severe condition if they don't repent.

 

[Jven79]

No, you don't need to take that verse in that way. Causing another to sin or stumble is not the unforgivable sin. Thankfully. Because like I said, in our ignorance, we even do it all the time.

I think it might be better understood that someone who takes special delight in destroying the faith of babes in Christ ... will have a very severe condition if they don't repent.

I never meant to make others stumble. One particular memory is when I was a teenager, before I was believer, the person I harmed wasn’t even a Christian. But I did say some very harsh things to a fellow Christian after I was saved that I regret. Neither of these people are in my life anymore. I did these things not realizing the severity of it. I wish it never happened.

 

[faroukfarouk]

as in reference to Matthew 18:6? Did he not lead her to commit adultery, which would be causing a believer to stumble?

I suppose it could also be turned around: Did Bathsheba cause David to stumble?

I guess sometimes it can be a two-way street.

 

[ubicaritas]

The Bible seems to be focused the fact that David arranged for the death of Bathsheba's spouse. I think its all too common to focus on the story being about sexual purity, which the Old Testament doesn't have as a major theme generally.

 

[sdowney717]

He was the King.

He sent for her.

It would have taken quite a woman to resist the King's advances, especially knowing that her husband was in the line of fire.

But I guess that it didn't say that he took her against her will. But I will agree that it appears that the Lion's share of God's judgement fell upon David ...

She was naked on a roof she knows where David would see . I always took the story she was an adventuress looking to being with David.

 

[A_Thinker]

I suppose it could also be turned around: Did Bathsheba cause David to stumble?

I guess sometimes it can be a two-way street.

I guess I've always seen David as the initiator, ... unless Bathsheba had previously noted what time he was apt to be out on his balcony ....

 

[~Anastasia~]

I never meant to make others stumble. One particular memory is when I was a teenager, before I was believer, the person I harmed wasn’t even a Christian. But I did say some very harsh things to a fellow Christian after I was saved that I regret. Neither of these people are in my life anymore. I did these things not realizing the severity of it. I wish it never happened.

I understand.

I have a particular thing that haunted me too. I was not very understanding of Christianity during this stage of my life, and was babysitting two children who I know were being raised in a very Christian home. I let them watch one of those "dead people are telling me secrets about you" shows that was very convincing. I don't know that it impacted them at all - or didn't. But it stands out to me as a terrible thing to have done. And it was. But I have repented that I ever did it, and prayed for them, and it doesn't define my relationship with God - I do not go about trying to turn Christians away from their faith to possible demonic forces. God forbid! Now if I WERE such a person, then meeting God in the next life would surely be worse than simply being tossed into the sea with weights attached.

But maybe I caused someone to stumble today - even though I haven't left the house. Maybe I said something on CF that caused someone to condemn me in their heart (which is a sin), whether because they disagree with me or misunderstood? It wouldn't have been intentional. I might never know. But as we move through the world, we can have thousands of such effects.

God isn't looking for any excuse to punish us. Rather, He is always working with our hearts to save us all (though ultimately whether or not we accept that and cooperate is up to us). But you needn't worry being disqualified on a technicality in a single verse in Scripture. Understand the nature of God, which is love, and His heart, which is for all to be saved. It is natural that He also be protective of His tender children, as any good Father would be. But a good Father doesn't kill an older child for accidentally hurting a smaller one. He just wants us all to be careful for one another.

I hope that helps a little.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I guess I've always seen David as the initiator, ... unless Bathsheba had previously noted what time he was apt to be out on his balcony ....

I think the passage indicates that she was naked on the housetop.

 

[Jven79]

I understand.

I have a particular thing that haunted me too. I was not very understanding of Christianity during this stage of my life, and was babysitting two children who I know were being raised in a very Christian home. I let them watch one of those "dead people are telling me secrets about you" shows that was very convincing. I don't know that it impacted them at all - or didn't. But it stands out to me as a terrible thing to have done. And it was. But I have repented that I ever did it, and prayed for them, and it doesn't define my relationship with God - I do not go about trying to turn Christians away from their faith to possible demonic forces. God forbid! Now if I WERE such a person, then meeting God in the next life would surely be worse than simply being tossed into the sea with weights attached.

But maybe I caused someone to stumble today - even though I haven't left the house. Maybe I said something on CF that caused someone to condemn me in their heart (which is a sin), whether because they disagree with me or misunderstood? It wouldn't have been intentional. I might never know. But as we move through the world, we can have thousands of such effects.

God isn't looking for any excuse to punish us. Rather, He is always working with our hearts to save us all (though ultimately whether or not we accept that and cooperate is up to us). But you needn't worry being disqualified on a technicality in a single verse in Scripture. Understand the nature of God, which is love, and His heart, which is for all to be saved. It is natural that He also be protective of His tender children, as any good Father would be. But a good Father doesn't kill an older child for accidentally hurting a smaller one. He just wants us all to be careful for one another.

I hope that helps a little.

Thank you!

 

[dreadnought]

as in reference to Matthew 18:6? Did he not lead her to commit adultery, which would be causing a believer to stumble?

If I remember correctly, David committed adultery with Bathsheba, got her pregnant, and then had her husband killed so he wouldn't find out. He was seriously punished for his sin. I think it stops there.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thank you!

You are most welcome.

Oh, by the way, welcome to CF! I sometimes forget to glance at post counts. I hadn't realized until just now that you were new. We are glad you've joined us, and please let us know if we can help you with the forums in any way.

God be with you!

 

[com7fy8]

There are people who say that King David should have been out in the field of battle. But, ones say, he was getting lazy and slack. And so, I could add, he was weak enough to give in.

I can be slack with my eyes. But if I get strong and real in God's love, I will be caring about women and not only eyeballing them. Love does not have us just using anyone. And when I look the wrong way, I am missing out on how I could be living God's love.

Yes, I understand, we can help one another to do better. And ones can help others to go the wrong way. So, it is good that I become a good example in the sight of God, not only putting on an act of being strong and self controlled, but in the sight of God being His example which He can spread in prayer and sharing.

So, David missed out on a lot more than what God's punishment took away. Also, there later was the time of his sons killing each other, if I remember right. Possibly, deeply, his bad example spread the evil spirit of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2) to them, so that even after he repented they could have stayed infected.

We can spread and minister all which is truly in us. So, it is good to trust God to give us true correction > Hebrews 12:4-11 > so we can spread His own grace to help one another grow in Jesus > 1 Peter 4:9-10.

And because there is hope for us to do this, please receive forgiveness for however we have failed and misled people, then start new and do what is good, instead > love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7).

 

[Bob Crowley]

I think they were both at fault. I think Bathsheba set him up by making sure she was bathing on the roof in full sight of the king.

Being a full blooded male, with the singular advantages of being king, and not being in the front line for possibly the first time in his life (I don't blame him - he must have had a gut full of warfare by that time), he decided to fool around, and blotted his copybook in the process.

In the end they were both punished. She lost her husband and her infant son, and David had nothing but trouble with his family after that, even setting the scene for the division of Judea and Israel, when Solomon developed the same affability for female company in his later years.

 

[A_Thinker]

and blotted his copybook in the process.

???