WITHIN the DREAMT

May 5th, 2026

SCRIPTURE: "Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, ‘Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’ 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house." 2 Samuel 11:2-4

The Bible, across its contents, informs us that the adversary is permitted to exist and roam and he isn't always so obvious or unfriendly. "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field..." (Genesis:3:1), existing in the midst of all else. Additionally, unlike the other beasts of the field which God had made, the serpent was uniquely relatable through language. Eve fooled around and found out. Like a chameleon, the serpent could blend in, and escape detection while nearing...all the while being vigorously self-motivated. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) Even the devoutly religious are not exempt, even the pious are not 'safe'. "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them." (Job 1:6)

At a time when the kings were expected to show up for battles [2 Samuel 11:1]David stayed at Jerusalem. For unexplained reasons, he was still sleeping in his bed into the evening, when a series of curious things happened. We are not told why he wasn't with his fellow warriors, away from where he was expected, not doing what was expected, but when he awakens, he gets an eyeful of Bathsheba, freshly awash. Sometimes a look lingers and becomes more. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood,” (Ephesians 6:12)

Whether he was fatigued [arose from his bed ] or distracted [walking on the roof], it appears he is certainly vulnerable, sinking to pursue what he shouldn't, and from that fallen position, crafting folly, coveting another's wife, being adulterous, and causing the violent death of a loyal subject and husband to Bathsheba, seemingly without remorse. David would've known better, just from the Ten Commandments, but he forged his own path. For that moment, he departed from God! Let my will be done!

One could conclude he was neither prayerful in this nor faithful in any sense. "But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord." (2 Samuel 11:27) So, we see the story, we observe the results, and the assessment is that a great sin showed up through God's man. Before we wrongly conclude "I would've never...,' let's be careful. Pride precedes the fall.

This is offered for our learning: "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:14-17 Be filled with the Spirit, brothers and sisters! Do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Resist the devil, and he will flee. Let all doing abide in the remembrance of Him... knowing He is risen! Put on the whole armor of God [daily].

Happily, despite the gravity of his depravity, David repented (see Psalm 51). None falls so deeply as to be removed from the love of God. Great is His salvation. Great is His reach. His ways are not our ways. Amen.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for Your graciousness, Your Mercy, and a love which never fails. May the peace of God, and our peace with God, through Christ, be our banner. In this, we are a new creature! Hallelujah! Amen.
By Dea. McNeal Brockington