“And it came to pass, after that the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem”. 2 Samuel 11:1(KJV).
In a time when kings go into battle David reneged in his responsibility and handover to Joab. The bible said he tarried still at Jerusalem. We were not told why he tarried still at Jerusalem but we know that it was at the time that kings go forth to battle. By his action David created an avenue for the devil to creep into his life and negatively affected his relationship with God. An adage says “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. King David the man after God’s heart became a victim of Satan’s vicious attack which resulted in many negative events in his household. The act of adultery committed with Bathsheba resulted in the following:
a) The pregnancy of Bathsheba.
b) The murder of Uriah the husband of Bathsheba.
c) The death of David son from adulterous act, and consequently in the later dates,
d) Amnon’s crime of rape against Tamar her sister.
e) Murder in David’s household – the death of Amnon.
f) Rebellion of Absalom and temporary dethronement of David.
g) Absalom open defilement of his father’s concubines.
h) The death of Absalom
The action of one night of adulterous sex resulted in an unimaginable consequences in the life of David. It is no wonder then that the bible admonishes us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”. – Proverbs 4:23(KJV). One careless slip of idleness can result in a life damaging and destiny distortion events in one’s life. No one is above been tempted. That is the reason Paul advised us in Colossians 3:5(KJV) “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence and covetousness which is idolatry”. We must be mindful of our actions and be properly guided in every action we take. One second of the thought of sin due to idleness of mind can result in an age long suffering and pains. A proud heart is prone to destruction but the meek will receive divine direction. In Psalm 25:9(KJV) the bible said “The meek will he guide in judgement: and the meek will he teach his way”. Meekness is a pathway of living a life of discretion, which guarantee’s divine guidance. As close as David was to God the devil reached him through idleness of mind, we must therefore continuously strive to be under the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit in order to overcome the fiery darts of the wicked one. Prayer: Father, I completely depend on you to lead me through the narrow and stormy path of life in Jesus name.
Bro Joel Ezeugo