When Kings Go Forth to Battle
“And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.”2 Samuel 11:1 (KJV)
David’s worst failure begins with a small detail that is easy to skip. “And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him… But David tarried still at Jerusalem.”
Everyone else was at the battle. David was at home with nothing to do. That evening he walked on his roof, and what followed was adultery, a cover-up and a death.
James describes how it works: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” It started with idleness and ended in death.
Comfortable seasons can be dangerous seasons. If you find yourself drifting with no mission, take it seriously. Get back where you belong.
Read it yourself
Read Psalm 51, which David wrote after this. What does he ask God to create in him?
Is there an area where you’ve stopped going to the battle and started tarrying at home?
Lord, keep me from idle drifting. Keep me where you’ve called me, and guard my heart. Amen.