Transitions: Preventing Bad Transitions

Transitions are inevitable, but bad transitions can sometimes be prevented. We could avoid many problems and heartache if we could only see into the future. Most people would not knowingly act in a way that would harm themselves or others. Yet, some of us must learn the hard way that our actions can have severe consequences. Over time, we begin to see the benefits of weighing possible repercussions before we make a rash decision. In this way, we may be able to prevent bad transitions by avoiding sinful acts. 

It is good for us to see that prominent Bible characters, while having heroic moments and thrilling encounters with God, are also portrayed as people with flaws. In our studies of various transitions in the lives of Peter, Elijah, and Moses, we identified mistakes that hindered various transitions or threatened to derail positive efforts. This week, we’ll focus on the life of David and see how one selfish and immature act led David down a path of death and shame. The fallout could have been avoided if David had only been wise and discerning in his decision-making. We can learn what not to do from this story and perhaps prevent a bad transition from happening to us.

Here are five things we can learn about preventing a bad transition from David’s sin with Bathsheba.

1. Avoid being in a place where you’re not supposed to be.
2. Don’t let your guard down when it comes to likely temptations.
3. If what you are going to do will hurt someone else, then stop!
4. It’s never too late to stop what you are doing and begin doing the right thing.
5. Prevent bad transitions by staying close to God at all times.

How to Use This Guide 

Thank you for taking the time to do this Bible study. When we dig deeper into God’s word, He promises to bless us. We follow in the footsteps of King David, who wrote in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

This guide will provide a weekly framework for spiritual conversations with friends or family. We encourage you to reach out to a friend or two, pick a time to get together each week, and work through this guide together. This Bible study can also be a good tool for families, perhaps coordinated with mealtimes.

What does the Bible say?

Read 2 Samuel 11. 

1. Avoid being in a place where you’re not supposed to be.

David’s kingly reign was marked by his many military battles. By David’s death, Israel had conquered the people who lived in Canaan, and the nation was settled in their land as God had promised. David’s conquests brought peace to the whole nation. This was because God granted David victory “everywhere he went” (2 Samuel 8:14).

This chapter begins by letting us know that David was not where he was supposed to be. David’s reluctance to fulfill his God-given commitments set him on a destructive course. In 2 Samuel 11:1, where was David? Where was the king expected to be? Who did David send in his place? Because David stayed at home without much to do, he got into trouble. The negative chain reaction of his decision to stay home from this battle followed him for the rest of his life. 

‍

2. Don’t let your guard down when it comes to likely temptations.

David will now discover that he has traded one battle for another. Instead of fighting for God’s people and securing the land God had promised them, David entered into a different battle, an internal one. This time, he loses. 

In 2 Samuel 11:2, we find that David couldn’t sleep. What did he do in the middle of the night? Who did he see, and what was his impression? 

Bored and restless, David gave in to a familiar temptation. A handsome man himself (see 1 Samuel 16:12), David noticed a beautiful woman from his rooftop vantage point and watched her bathe. David was already married, so he should have known better. His first wife was Michal, Saul’s daughter. Saul believed that Michal’s love for David would eventually become a snare to David (1 Samuel 18:17-29; 19:11-17; 25:44). David also took Abigail, the widow of Nabal, to be his wife and appreciated her intelligence and wisdom (1 Samuel 25). He also married Ahinoam of Jezreel (1 Samuel 25:43). Now, he sees Bathsheba. He then uses his powerful position and carelessly takes her for himself. 

Most of us are aware of areas in our lives where temptation typically strikes. David was not where he was supposed to be and let his guard down. As king, he was to be the example for all of Israel. On the battlefield, God blessed David. His soldiers trusted him and fought valiantly. But, at home by himself, he relaxed, and that is when temptation struck. Maybe you relate to David. Perhaps your temptation is to go where you are not supposed to go online. Perhaps you have thought to yourself, “I shouldn’t be here,” as you go to a place where you know you will be tempted to do something wrong. Perhaps you have set a time to meet someone who you know will lead you to sin. 

Yours might be an internal battle where you struggle with negative thoughts, criticism of others, vengeful plans, or fantasizing about someone or something unattainable or outside of God’s will. You might say to yourself, “I shouldn’t be thinking about this.” Such internal battles call for us to be vigilant. Remember, we can prevent situations that will lead us into bad transitions. David talked himself into going after what he wanted, and this decision haunted him for the rest of his life. We can learn from his mistake and refrain from repeating it in our own lives.

‍

3. If what you are going to do will hurt someone else, then stop!

What do we learn about the woman David saw in 2 Samuel 11:3? We learn her name as well as the names of both her father and husband. Before he acts, David finds out that Bathsheba is married. This information should have been an immediate deal-breaker. But, there is more. David knew both Bathsheba’s husband and her father. They were among his mighty men, loyal and courageous under him in battle (see 2 Samuel 23:34, 39). Surely these facts should have stopped David from taking his next step. Unfortunately for all involved, what did David do next in 2 Samuel 11:4? What was the result of this encounter in verse 5?

When we feel the pull toward doing something we know is wrong, if we were to stop for a minute and think about what we are doing, we would probably begin to think about the people whose lives would be affected by our decision. The downfall of a split-second decision can be avoided by asking ourselves, “Who might be hurt if I _______?” If asking yourself this question keeps you from acting, you have just saved yourself from heartache. You won’t regret it.

‍

4. It’s never too late to stop what you are doing and begin doing the right thing.

Sadly, David continued to make bad choices after his initial fall into temptation. He hatched an evil plan and made Joab, who headed up Israel’s army, a party to it. What did David do to cover up his own sin in 2 Samuel 11:6-13? When this didn’t work, what plan did David come up with next in 2 Samuel 11:14-21? How does Uriah show faithfulness and honor throughout this account? Notice this stark contrast to David’s deception and treachery. This entire incident was so out of character for David. One bad decision led to another and then to another.

David spent a lot of time and energy developing a plan to hide his sinful decisions. If only David had come clean with his actions and turned to do the right thing, so much heartache could have been prevented. But, this would have involved David humbling himself and admitting he was wrong. He was not willing to do this even though the others around him continued to act honorably. Instead, David thought only of saving himself, and in this way, he lost the respect of Joab, and a good man, Uriah, was killed needlessly. If this were not enough, the innocent life of David and Bathsheba’s child was lost.

This leads us to Bathsheba and her part in this story. In 2 Samuel 11:4, we learn that Bathsheba was following the Levitical law in Leviticus 15:19-24 by bathing after her monthly menstruation. This detail points to Bathsheba as a faithful member of God’s covenant people. Moreover,  Bathsheba mourned her husband’s death (2 Samuel 11:26). Portraying Bathsheba as a temptress is more akin to a Hollywood movie plot than to the actual circumstances as we read them in 2 Samuel. If Bathsheba initiated the contact with David, then why would God bless her in the way that He did? Bathsheba endured sorrow primarily at the hands of David. She lost her husband, and she lost her firstborn son because of David’s sin. Yet, God blessed her in the end by giving her another son, Solomon. God loved Solomon and allowed him to ascend to the throne after David died. Solomon seems to have loved his mother and valued her wisdom. He set up a throne for her so that she could sit at his right hand while he ruled Israel (1 Kings 2:19). 

Perhaps you can somewhat relate to David and his bad decisions. When we make mistakes, we often try and cover them up. God gives us chances to admit what we did, but we are unwilling to confess our wrongdoing. Instead, lies and deception begin to pile up, and we don’t know how we can make it right. 

What did David do next in 2 Samuel 11:26-27? What did God think about what David had done? God stepped in when David thought he had escaped the situation relatively unscathed personally. Who did God send to David in 2 Samuel 12:1? What approach did Nathan take in this chapter, and how was it especially suitable for David’s artistic inclinations? What were the grave consequences of David’s sin, according to 2 Samuel 12:10-12? What was David’s response in 2 Samuel 12:13? Finally, David admits his sin.

5. Prevent bad transitions by staying close to God at all times.

After going through this event, David wrote Psalm 51. Now that you are familiar with the story behind the psalm, read Psalm 51. 

The embarrassing and dire repercussions that David would have to face could have been prevented if David had stayed close to God. If he had done so, he would have been where he was supposed to be, leading his men in victory. He would have been humbly aware of his tendency to be tempted in certain situations and do his best to avoid them. If David had been in close communion with God, he likely would not have chosen to hurt others, thinking only of himself. And, even if David had failed in any of these areas, if he had turned back to God and confessed his sin, he would have stopped his sinful downward spiral. 

We have covered a lot of ground in this week’s study. If we can prevent bad transitions that are a result of our sin, we should do so. God has graciously given us a cautionary tale to teach us how we can avoid the sins that will inevitably lead to a bad transition. Have you already started on the path toward a bad transition? You can stop and turn back. Are you living with the repercussions of some past sin now? Perhaps you are wishing you could have a “do-over?” David’s story should encourage you. Even after all that harm that he did, David is remembered as a person “after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22) and the writer of some of the most beautiful poetry ever created. 

Prayer: Lord, we worship You as holy. Sin has no place in our relationship with You. Yet, You will forgive us our sins when we confess them to You and purify us from all unrighteousness. Restore us to Yourself again, Lord. Amen.