We aren’t all that different?

King David wasn’t perfect. This isn’t particularly surprising as none of us are either, but David was rather spectacularly imperfect in some ways.

The Old Testament lesson for this Sunday is the story of the prophet Nathan confronting King David over his adultery with Bathseba and the cold-blooded murder of her husband, Uriah. Murder is a very strong word but there really isn’t any other word to describe David’s actions. Using an army to murder someone who is in the way is no different than stabbing them yourself.

We tend to look at stories like this one from the perfectly understandable perspective of, “I would never do that!”, which is almost certainly true. But, the corollary inference that we are fundamentally different than David is neither helpful nor true. The key statement for us is the very last sentence in the election, “David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.'” (2 Samuel 12:13a NRSV) David sinned against God, the same way we do, it is only a difference of degree.

Give the message a listen and let me know what you think in the comments here or on Facebook or by email.

“But we don’t do that sort of thing . . . . Do we?” (to download, right-click and select “Save Link As . . .”)

Blessings,