Psalm 51 One way we can fully appreciate the authenticity of the Bible is to recognize the complete disclosure God

gives of both the wise choices as well as the failures of His people. David is a man after Gods own heart. Yet, he is just a man, of sinful flesh with a fallen nature. The account found in 2 Samuel chapter 11 through chapter 12, verse 15 details some of the most heartbreaking choices and events in Scripture. As you study this week, be sure to look for Gods kindness which leads to repentance, His grace, His chastisement as well as His restoration. Day One: Today, well discover how quickly temptation comes when we are not in the place God has appointed us to be. 1) Read verses 1-5 of 2 Samuel 11. Immediately, we see David in the wrong place at the wrong time. Where was he? 2) Where did Davids army, his leaders, his servants and his people go? 3) Why do you think David stayed behind? 4) Verse 2 presents the temptation David faced. Where/when did his sin begin? 5) In verse 3, David discovers something that should have stopped him in his tracks. This woman, Bathsheba, is married to a man David knows quite well. Find out a little more about her husband and her father including their connection to David. (Skim through 2 Samuel 23:8-39. In this list you will find Bathshebas father, grandfather and husband. What are they called? 6) Go back to our passage and record the life-changing news David receives in verse 5. Day Two: Oh! How my heart is broken over Davids choice. Lets read 2 Samuel 11:6-17. 1) Describe Davids actions. 2) How did Uriah respond? 3) How does Uriah express his loyalty to God? To the king? To his soldiers? 4) When Davids first plan failed, what did he do in verses 12-13? Did Uriah fall in line with Davids plan? 5) Verses 14-17 are just gut-wrenching to comprehend. Desperate, Davids plot drags him deeper down into the pit of destruction. What does he do to Uriah? 6) How can this be? David, our gentle shepherd-king, an adulterer, a deceiver, a murderer? In all of Davids sin, has he gone too far beyond Gods forgiveness? Do a word search on forgiveness in Scripture and find a verse to back up your answer. Copy your verse and share with others in your group. Day Three: As I read verses 18-26, my mind goes between picturing David as frantic and desperate for a way out. I just cannot imagine his state of mind. One thing is certain, he was not in his right mind through this whole complicated mess. 1) Verses 18-27 seem to bring this chapter of Davids life to a close. Read through the passage and describe Davids reaction to Uriahs death. 2) In verse 25, David gives some kind of pithy response to the messenger as if to brush off the whole matter. Throughout this chapter, Davids words and actions have been totally uncharacteristic of him. How does continued sin completely change a persons character? 3) Verse 26 addresses Bathshebas mourning of Uriah. It doesnt say David mourned his friend and mighty man of valor. Sin affects our emotions. What other aspects of our soul, body and mind does ongoing sin also affect? 4) Verse 27 contains news that should bring joy; but couched between Bathshebas mourning and Gods displeasure, what should be blessed will soon be consumed in judgment. Put yourself in Bathshebas sandals for a moment. What do you think she was feeling? 5) Skim back through the chapter. Other than the very last word of the last phrase of the last verse, is the LORD ever mentioned? David never called on Him. David never turned to Him. David, who had celebrated His presence, distanced himself as far as he could from God. Sin does that. It

causes us to hide. Run over to Psalm 139 and see what David discovers about hiding from God. Jot down those verses and ask God to bring them to your mind when you face temptation this week. Day Four: Chapter 12 is tough. Its hard to imagine God punishing His servant David. But, it would be even more difficult to take if God had somehow issued David a pass. Sin has consequences. Lack of repentance brings judgment. God is holy and He will not let His children continue in their sin. 1) Lets read chapter 12:1-15. According to verse 1, Who took action? How is this action the kindness of God? 2) Nathan uses a startling word picture to bring David to a point of both indignation and identification. T or F? 3) In Nathans story, how is David depicted? Uriah? Bathsheba? 4) Davids reaction to Nathans story is:__________________________________________________________________________________ He demands the life of the man who took the lamb; yet the law did not require death, only restitution (Ex. 22:1) Who was David really condemning to death by his harsh response? 5) Nathan points to David and the truth comes crashing down on Davids head. I can picture David head down and tears flowing as he listened to Nathan speaking Gods Word (verses 7-12). What did God say to David? What did He promise would happen as a result of Davids sin? 6) Like the prodigal son, David comes to himself in verse 13. He repents by confessing, I have sinned against _______________. Its interesting that Davids repentance and Gods forgiveness are recorded in the same verse. Gods ultimate judgment was held back in mercy; but the consequences remained. What devastating news does Nathan deliver in verse 14? Nathans predictions come to pass and the chapter ends with death, mourning and ultimately, restoration. Day Five: Satan uses a very specific strategy in his temptation of man. 1 John 2:16 shows us the areas of temptation he uses: For all that is in the worldthe lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of lifeis not of the Father but is of the world. David fell to all three of these tempting devices. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1) Name some open doors David could have escaped through to get away from the temptations of adultery, lies and murder. 2) Ultimately, continued sin leads to death, spiritual, physical, emotional or relational. James 1:14-15 explains: But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. 3) Lets look at what David learned about God by reading Psalm 51. Read this Psalm with not only the sin of David in mind, but picture your own sinful nature as you read. What do you discover as you complete your My God is statements? Take some time to reflect on the spiritual state of your heart. Is there any sin you need to confess today? Let the Holy Spirit do a cleansing work in your heart as you confess and repent today.