I. The Pattern of Sin: “See and Take”
The First Sin (Genesis 3)
Genesis 3:1–6 (NIV)

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.

Earthly Kings (1 Samuel 8)
1 Samuel 8:11–17 (NIV)

He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses… He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves… He will take a tenth of your grain… Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.”

Kings see. Kings take.

II. David’s Fall (2 Samuel 11)
The Story in Brief

Evening on the palace roof – David sees Bathsheba bathing.
He takes her, sleeps with her.
She becomes pregnant.
Plan #1: Bring Uriah home from battle – he refuses to sleep with his wife.
Plan #2: Uriah is killed in battle (letter carried by Uriah himself).
David marries Bathsheba; their son is born.
Nathan confronts David: “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7)
Consequences: Death of the child, ongoing family conflict.


III. Why Examine This Story?

To find ourselves in the story and be convicted.
God is not an angry rule-giver—He is a good Father and Great Physician.
Refusing examination = refusing healing.
David, in hindsight, would thank God for arresting him.


IV. How Sin Happens

1. Not Where You Used to Be (2 Sam 11:1)
Are disciplines, service, commitments slipping?
2. Not Where You’re Supposed to Be
3. Unchecked Authority
Who holds you accountable?
4. Avoiding community
5. Attempting to Control
“Sending” to Control (11:1,3,4,6,8,12,14)
6. Becoming Monstrous. David doesn’t recognize himself.

V. Nathan: “You Are the Man!” (2 Samuel 12:7)

Confrontation is unexpected grace.
Repentance better than Cover-up.

David could have killed Nathan (like Uriah).
Relief of being caught = relief of confession.

VI. Our King Jesus
Earthly kings: SEE and TAKE.
King Jesus: SEES and GIVES.

Luke 22:19 (NIV)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Psalm 32:1–5 (NIV)
1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.