David’s Sin with Bathsheba
Category: Failure of purity & kingship duty
Could endure: Lead his army, remain faithful to God’s law.
“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab… but David remained in Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 11:1)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 17:17; Psalm 101:2–3.
Chose wrongly: Slept with Bathsheba and arranged Uriah’s death.
“David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.” (2 Samuel 11:4)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 20:14; James 1:14–15.
Endured (negatively): Family turmoil, sword never departed from his house.
“The sword will never depart from your house.” (2 Samuel 12:10)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:7; Proverbs 6:32–33.
Why (wrong motive): Lust, abuse of power.
“David sent messengers to get her.” (2 Samuel 11:4)
Cross-Refs: Job 31:9–12; Proverbs 5:22–23.
Result: Forgiven but faced ongoing consequences.
“Nathan replied, ‘The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But… the son born to you will die.’” (2 Samuel 12:13–14)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 51:1–4; Hebrews 12:6.
David’s Census
Category: Failure of trust in God
Could endure: Trust God for strength and protection.
“The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How great is his joy in the victories you give!” (Psalm 21:1)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 33:16–17; Deuteronomy 17:16.
Chose wrongly: Ordered a census out of pride/self-reliance.
“So the king said to Joab… ‘Go throughout the tribes of Israel and enroll the fighting men.’” (2 Samuel 24:2)
Cross-Refs: 1 Chronicles 21:1; Hosea 1:7.
Endured (negatively): Severe plague on Israel.
“So the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.” (2 Samuel 24:15)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 30:12; Romans 6:23.
Why (wrong motive): Pride in military strength.
“David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men.” (2 Samuel 24:10)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 16:18; Jeremiah 9:23.
Result: God’s mercy shown after judgment; altar built.
“So David bought the threshing floor… and built an altar to the LORD. Then the LORD answered his prayer.” (2 Samuel 24:25)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 51:17; Micah 7:18.
Amnon’s Sin Against Tamar
Category: Failure of self-control & brotherly love
Could endure: Honour Tamar and obey God’s law.
“Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your sister.” (Leviticus 18:9)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 27:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5.
Chose wrongly: Violated Tamar by force.
“But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.” (2 Samuel 13:14)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 34:7; Proverbs 6:32.
Endured (negatively): Hatred toward Tamar, later murdered by Absalom.
“Two years later, when Absalom’s sheep shearers were at Baal Hazor… Absalom ordered his men, ‘Strike Amnon down.’” (2 Samuel 13:28–29)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:7; Proverbs 29:23.
Why (wrong motive): Lust, selfish passion.
“Amnon was obsessed with his sister Tamar.” (2 Samuel 13:2)
Cross-Refs: James 1:14–15; 1 John 2:16.
Result: Death, shame, family brokenness.
“So Absalom neither spoke to Amnon nor said anything to him, because he hated Amnon for disgracing his sister Tamar.” (2 Samuel 13:22)
Cross-Refs: Romans 6:21; Proverbs 5:22.
Absalom’s Rebellion
Category: Failure of humility & submission
Could endure: Accept his place as David’s son and prince.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long.” (Exodus 20:12)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 1:8–9; Ephesians 6:1–3.
Chose wrongly: Rebelled against David, sought to take throne.
“Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:6)
Cross-Refs: 1 Kings 1:5; Psalm 55:12–14.
Endured (negatively): Defeat and violent death.
“Joab took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the oak tree.” (2 Samuel 18:14)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 21:18–20; Galatians 6:7.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, ambition, resentment.
“Absalom said, ‘If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint… would come to me and I would see that they receive justice.’” (2 Samuel 15:4)
Cross-Refs: James 3:16; Proverbs 16:18.
Result: Died in rebellion, David mourned bitterly.
“O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you.” (2 Samuel 18:33)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 10:7; Psalm 37:9–10.