Justice demanded that David’s sin be punished, and it was punished in the sacrificial crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus bore David’s sin and condemnation so that David could be forgiven. The wickedness of all who confess their sins and believe in Jesus Christ is forgiven. “His blood makes the foulest clean.”

The author of a large part of the Bible did some desperately wicked things.

I’m talking about David, Israel’s greatest general and king, and author of at least seventy-three of the Psalms.

God’s justice demands that sin be punished.

It is about 1000 BC, and David has been king for some time. His realm is expansive, his rule is secure, and his armies are off campaigning.

We find him strolling on his rooftop (2 Sam. 11). The sun sets over Jerusalem. The scent of smoke and evening meals fills the air.

David sees a woman bathing on her rooftop, a very beautiful woman. He makes inquiries.

She is Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of David’s greatest soldiers—a friend and brother-in-arms. Uriah is away with the army.

David orders Bathsheba to be brought to his chambers…

Weeks later she sends him a note: “I am pregnant.”

David attempts a coverup. He calls Uriah back to Jerusalem for “news from the frontline.” He then sends him home to his wife Bathsheba with a gift.

But there’s no way that Uriah will enjoy an evening with his wife while the Ark of the Covenant and his brothers-in-arms are out in the field. Uriah sleeps outside.

Frustrated, David tries again. This time he gets Uriah drunk before sending him home to his wife.

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