King David & Bathsheba

Sunday School Lesson: The Story of King David and Bathsheba Theme: The Consequences of Sin and God's Mercy

Key Scripture: 2 Samuel 11-12

Introduction (5 minutes)

Briefly introduce King David as a man after God's own heart, a great king, but also a flawed human being.

Explain that today's lesson will focus on a significant event in David's life that teaches us important lessons about sin, repentance, and God's forgiveness.

Lesson Outline

I. David's Temptation and Sin (2 Samuel 11:1-5)

A. David's Idleness Leads to Temptation (2 Samuel 11:1-2)

Talking Point: While his army was at war, David remained in Jerusalem, leading to a dangerous period of inactivity. This highlights how idleness can open doors to temptation.

B. The Sight of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-3)

Talking Point: David saw Bathsheba bathing and was captivated by her beauty. This shows how external stimuli can trigger lust if not controlled.

C. David Inquires About Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3)

Talking Point: Despite knowing she was married, David actively sought more information about her, moving from observation to pursuit.

D. David Takes Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:4-5)

Talking Point: David sent for Bathsheba and lay with her, resulting in her pregnancy. This was a clear act of adultery, abusing his power as king.

II. David's Attempt to Cover Up His Sin (2 Samuel 11:6-27)

A. Bringing Uriah Home (2 Samuel 11:6-9)

Talking Point: David tried to trick Uriah into going home to his wife, hoping to make it appear that Uriah was the father of Bathsheba's child.

B. Uriah's Loyalty and Integrity (2 Samuel 11:9-13)

Talking Point: Uriah, a man of great integrity, refused to enjoy comforts while his fellow soldiers were on the battlefield. His righteousness contrasts sharply with David's sin.

C. David's Deceptive Letter (2 Samuel 11:14-17)

Talking Point: David escalated his sin by sending a letter with Uriah, instructing Joab to place Uriah in the thick of battle to ensure his death. This act of pre-meditated murder was a dark stain on David's character.

D. Uriah's Death and Bathsheba's Mourning (2 Samuel 11:17-27)

Talking Point: Uriah was killed, and Bathsheba mourned his death. David then took Bathsheba as his wife, believing his secret was safe.

III. Nathan's Confrontation and David's Repentance (2 Samuel 12:1-15)

A. God Sends Nathan to David (2 Samuel 12:1)

Talking Point: God, who sees everything, did not allow David's sin to go unaddressed. He sent the prophet Nathan to confront David.

B. Nathan's Parable of the Rich Man and the Poor Man's Lamb (2 Samuel 12:1-4)

Talking Point: Nathan used a relatable story to help David see the injustice of his actions without initially revealing the direct accusation.

C. David's Righteous Indignation (2 Samuel 12:5-6)

Talking Point: David's anger at the rich man in the parable demonstrates his capacity for justice, highlighting the irony of his own grave sin.

D. Nathan's Direct Accusation (2 Samuel 12:7-9)

Talking Point: Nathan boldly declared, "You are the man!" exposing David's sin and reminding him of God's blessings and David's ingratitude.

E. Consequences Announced (2 Samuel 12:10-12)

Talking Point: Nathan prophesied the severe consequences of David's sin: trouble within his own household, public humiliation, and the death of the child born from the affair.

F. David's Confession (2 Samuel 12:13a)

Talking Point: David immediately confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord." This humble admission is a crucial turning point, showing genuine repentance.

G. God's Forgiveness and Continued Consequences (2 Samuel 12:13b-15)

Talking Point: While God forgave David's sin, the announced consequences, including the death of the child, would still come to pass. This teaches us that while God forgives, our actions often have natural consequences.

IV. The Consequences and God's Mercy (2 Samuel 12:15-25)

A. The Child's Illness and Death (2 Samuel 12:15-18)

Talking Point: The child became ill and died, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy. David's intense mourning shows his pain and understanding of the consequence.

B. David's Acceptance and Worship (2 Samuel 12:19-20)

Talking Point: After the child's death, David's response was to worship God, demonstrating his faith and acceptance of God's will, even in sorrow.

C. God's Continued Blessing (2 Samuel 12:24-25)

Talking Point: Despite his sin, God showed mercy to David and Bathsheba by blessing them with another son, Solomon, through whom the Messiah would eventually come. This highlights God's grace and redemptive power.

Conclusion and Application (5-10 minutes)

Review Key Takeaways:

Sin has serious consequences, even for those who are close to God.

Idleness and unchallenged temptation can lead to grave sin.

Trying to cover up sin only makes it worse.

God sees everything and will bring hidden sins to light.

Genuine confession and repentance lead to God's forgiveness.

Even when forgiven, there can still be natural consequences to our actions.

God's mercy and grace are abundant, even in the face of our failures.

Discussion Questions:

What can we learn from David's mistakes to avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives?

Why is it important to confess our sins to God immediately?

How does this story show us both God's justice and His mercy?

Prayer: Lead a prayer acknowledging God's holiness, confessing our own tendency to sin, and thanking Him for His forgiveness and grace.