Uncleanness

So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house.
2 Samuel 11:4 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.11.4.ESV

The verse and context is pretty matter of fact about David's heinous crime, but in ensuing chapters we see the devastating consequences of his evil. This kind of thing happens when boredom strikes. As the saying goes, 'the devil makes work for idle hands'.

David should have been out leading his forces in battle against the enemies of God's people. Instead he decided to lounge around at home. That's when the devil seized his opportunity.

From glancing at a naked women proceeded a swift descent into adultery and eventually murder. Some commentators go as far as to accuse David of rape. The Bible however seems to clearly distinguish between David's sin and that of His incestuous son Amnon, who forced himself upon his stepsister.

No doubt David abused his power, but Bathsheba seems to have been a willing accomplice in the adultery. The irony is that she was purifying herself from ceremonial uncleanness when they committed this act of iniquity. Only the blood of Jesus could wash away their guilty stains.

'Almighty Father, please prevent our downward descent into grievous sin against You. May we resist the devil and flee temptation as we seek to serve You. In the name of Jesus, amen'

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