13. David Evading His Sin vs. God Confronting It (2 Samuel 11:1–27)

David commits adultery. Furthermore, he conspired to have her husband killed by the hands of the Ammonites. It appeared to be a perfect crime—like a fatal car accident with no clear culprit. But not to the Lord.

👉 Read 2Samuel 11:1 - 27

Q1. In the season of war, David didn’t go out but rested in (                    ). From the rooftop of his palace, he saw (                              ). He called her and slept with her even though he knew she was (             ) of a man. She became pregnant. To cover up (               ), he sent for her husband Uriah to come from the battlefield and go into his wife. However, this Uriah, not like (                 ), faithfully stayed with his fellow soldiers and didn’t go to his wife. As the first plan failed, he sent a letter to Joab to manage Uriah killed by (                                      ). Uriah died, and David’s sin seemed covered. But what David had done upset (          ).  [hint: the enemy’s hand, David, the Lord, Jerusalem, a wife, a woman bathing, his sin]

In the season of war, David didn’t go out but rested in ( Jerusalem  ). From the rooftop of his palace, he saw ( a woman bathing  ). He called her and slept with her even though he knew she was ( a wife ) of a man. She became pregnant. To cover up ( his sin  ), he sent for her husband Uriah to come from the battlefield and go into his wife. However, this Uriah, not like (  David ), faithfully stayed with his fellow soldiers and didn’t go to his wife. As the first plan failed, he sent a letter to Joab to manage Uriah killed by (  the enemy’s hand  ). Uriah died, and David’s sin seemed covered. But what David had done upset ( the Lord  ).

The name 'Uriah' in Hebrew means 'Yaweh is my light.' This concides with Uriah's words and deeds in the passage. However, David turned away from 'the light' and extinguished it.

Q2. In this narrative, they prefer to use indirect methods of conversation, sending messengers or letters, rather than direct ways. Find verses that they send messengers or letters. 

V3, v4, v5, v6, v10, v14, v18, v22, v25

In 2 Samuel 11, David acts mainly through messengers and letters, distancing himself from the consequences of his sin. His only direct action is sleeping with Bathsheba, the very act he tries to conceal. This indirectness reflects how he avoids confronting his guilt, insulating himself from the conviction of conscience—a common pattern when remaining in sin. But God breaks the illusion of control by directly sending Nathan, exposing David’s self-deception and calling him to repentance.

Q3. What are the two sins David committed? 

Adultery and murder.

David conspired to have Uriah killed to cover up his adultery. He committed one sin to hide another. Bathsheba’s pregnancy could have been a divine prompting to repent, but David chose to conceal it. Uriah’s refusal to go home and his loyal conduct should have convicted David’s heart, yet he hardened himself. In the end, the Lord stopped sending signs and allowed David to hide his sin by letting Uriah die. However, the dire consequence awaits him.

Q4. What is the author’s final comment on David’s deed?

But what David had done upset the Lord

What if Bathsheba hadn’t gotten pregnant? What if Uriah had gone down to his house? Would David’s sin remain hidden? If the Lord intended to expose it, why did He allow Uriah to die, making the sin appear concealed?

The narrative unfolds through two opposing wills: God’s will to expose David’s sin and David’s will to conceal it. These intentions run side by side—God signals, convicts, and gives space to repent, while David deflects, distances, and hardens his heart. Though David seems to succeed in hiding his sin, God was preparing a greater exposure and a deeper humiliation.

We must stay attentive to God’s warnings in daily life. They are His grace to draw us back before greater judgment comes. 

How long do you think you can ignore and hide your sin? Sooner or later, God will bring you face to face with it. The longer you delay, the greater the shame will be.