In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1
But David remained at Jerusalem. The next verse begins the narrative of David’s sinful failure with Bathsheba. How did this man after God’s own heart make such a tragic fall? What precedes his failing is a cautionary tale for us all.
Complacency
David felt secure. He had a winning army and trusted that they could easily prevail in battle (which they did). There is a time for rest and relaxation, but there is also a time for battle. And this was the time for battle. David thought it didn’t apply to him.
Wrong place
The Bible clearly states it was a season to go out to battle but David remained in Jerusalem. He wasn’t where he should be. It looked like the right place – David the king was in his palace – but he made a grave error. It’s comfortable back at the fortress but sometimes we’re called to the fight.
Isolated
A battle found David anyway, just in a different form. But his fellow warriors (and companions) were off fighting the right battle and David was left alone. There was no one to come alongside in his personal battle to warn him or to strengthen him in the fight. Battles are rarely won in solitude.
Being in the right place, where God has called me, is important. I need to listen carefully to Him and follow His lead. Esther was in a palace and it looked like the wrong place, but God had placed her there. David was in a palace and it looked like the right place, but he was supposed to be at battle.
There are times I need to do battle - maybe for a sinful stronghold in my life or maybe for justice in our community. I can’t ignore the fight but must engage in the conflict. And that means being where I’m called to be. It also means ensuring I’m with worthy soldiers who will help ensure the victory.
Is this your season for battle?
