The account of King David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba, which ultimately led to the murder of her husband Uriah, is a well documented failure on the part of David (II Samuel 11). We know David sincerely repented when reproved by the prophet Nathan, and suffered the consequences of losing his first born son with Bathsheba (II Samuel 12:1-25). Even so, David was still considered a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).
There is a myriad of instances in which David was successful in his endeavors, most notably as a warrior, bringing great victory to the nation of Israel. Near the end of his life, there is an account of David asking his commander, Joab, to “Make the rounds of all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beer-sheba, and take a census of the people, so that I may know the size of the population.” (II Samuel 24:2, Tanakh)
After Joab followed orders, the account continues: “But afterward David reproached himself for having numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, “I have sinned grievously in what I have done. Please, O Lord, remit the guilt of Your servant, for I have acted foolishly.” When David rose in the morning, the word of the Lord had come to the prophet Gad, David’s seer: “Go and tell David ‘Thus said the Lord: I hold three things over you; choose one of them, and I will bring it upon you.’” (II Samuel 24:10-12, Tanakh)
David was allowed to choose the consequence of his failure, choosing three days of pestilence in the land, during which 70,000 people died (II Samuel 24:13-15). Harsh, although David’s sins, whether adultery, murder or taking a census, did not result in permanent separation from God.
I believe God forgave him because He saw David’s heart of love for God. It’s impossible for man to judge the heart of others, and in spite of what may seem like overwhelming evidence that someone is a sinner, God is the ultimate judge of our hearts.
Next…Hezekiah