2 Samuel 11:1 (ESV) -- 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.

Most sins and foolish decisions take place when we’re not doing what we should be doing in that moment. I remember a number of times I got in trouble in high school. Each time can be connected with not being where I should or doing what I should be doing. The same is true today in our lives. 

We see a powerful example of this principle in our passage today. We read the opening words in 2 Samuel 11:1, “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.”

Up to this point in the storyline of David, we have seen nothing but praiseworthy character from him. Everything has been a celebration of his faith, courage, and integrity. But now we read at the beginning of this chapter that at the time of year kings went to battle, David stayed in Jerusalem. He sent Joab and all the other servants to battle, and they won. But David didn’t go.

Why is this such a big deal? After this passage we read that David saw Bathsheba bathing while he was on the rooftop of the palace. This eventually led to his adultery with her, and the killing of her husband Uriah. This series of events would bring calamity to David’s house for years to come and riddle his reign with trouble. 

All of David’s troubles started with not being where he should have been. This is why we need to constantly guard our hearts from apathy. We need people around us who can challenge us, ask questions, and keep us accountable. David never would have seen Bathsheba bathing had he gone to battle with his men. The challenge this gives us is to make sure our choices each day are positioning us to stay faithful and obey God. The more difficult of a position we put ourselves in, the more prone we are to falling into sin. Pray the Lord keep you from stumbling and help you to make wise choices.

Reflection & Journal:
- Why does David stay back instead of going to battle?
- What does this passage challenge us with as believers?
- How does this text show the starting point of sin and where it leads? 

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