2. The war against the Ammonites ended with the siege of Rabbah.
That involved an important change in David’s the people of
Israel’s lives.
3. DAVID, BEFORE RABBAH WAS BESIEGED
How can we know David’s
character studying his
thoughts in the next
circumstances?
Before Goliath
1 Samuel, 17
With Saul
1 Samuel, 24, 26
Moving the ark
2 Samuel, 6;
1 Chronicles, 13
Planning the temple
2 Samuel, 7;
1 Chronicles, 17
With Mephibosheth
2 Samuel, 9
Leading the army
1 Samuel, 18: 16;
2 Samuel, 5: 6-25
4. URIAH, BEFORE RABBAH WAS BESIEGED
• In that time, the name of a person was related to his character or to
what his parents wanted him to be in the future.
• What does “Uriah” mean? What does it show about his character?
HIS NAME
• “Hittite” –Uriah’s nickname– meant that he was from Anatolia. The
Hittites ruled a great empire in current Turkey.
• Which were God’s orders in relation to foreigners (Isaiah, 56: 3-7)?
HIS NATIONALITY
• Uriah was an elite warrior in David’s army and was married to an
important Israelite woman. That meant that Uriah had completely
accepted the religion of Israel.
• Do you remember any foreigner that accepted the Jewish religion and
became a pillar in the people of Israel?
HIS RELIGION
5. “But it was God’s purpose that by the revelation
of His character through Israel men should be
drawn unto Him. To all the world the gospel
invitation was to be given. Through the teaching
of the sacrificial service Christ was to be uplifted
before the nations, and all who would look unto
Him should live. All who, like Rahab the
Canaanite, and Ruth the Moabitess, turned from
idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to
unite themselves with His chosen people. As the
numbers of Israel increased they were to enlarge
their borders, until their kingdom should
embrace the world”
E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 23, page 290)
6. David’s fall happened in several consecutive steps:
1
David used to lead the army when there was
a battle. However, he preferred to stay
comfortably at palace.
2
When he went up to the terrace he saw
Bathsheba taking a bath. Instead of keeping
his eyes off her, he took pleasure in an illicit
thing.
He insisted on sinning even when he found
out that she was married.
What options did Bathsheba have
before the king’s request? How did
other biblical characters like Joseph
(Genesis, 39) or Tamar (2 Samuel, 13)
react in that kind of
circumstance?
7. David tried to hide his sin; he called Uriah to spend one night with his
wife. But he didn’t get him to do that, even making him drunk.
He decided to add murder to his
adultery sin. His conscience was so
blinded in that moment that he sent
Uriah to a sure death in the battle.
David’s fall happened in several consecutive steps:
3
4
8. “Uriah had just arrived from the battle front, where the conditions were very
different than in national land. The men of Israel camped outdoors before
Rabbah; they suffered hardship and the rigours of the war, subsisting with
military rations. He left his mates behind; they were living in those hard
conditions, so Uriah didn’t want to take part of all the comfort and pleasures
of life while his compatriots were suffering and losing their life”
(SDA Bible Commentary, on 2 Samuel, 11: 11)
How did Uriah show the next
qualities?
Patriotism.
Loyalty to his mates.
Loyalty to God.
He didn’t benefit from the
circumstances.
His values were strong.
9. DAVID, LATER CONSEQUENCES
“There was a great change in David himself.
He was broken in spirit by the consciousness of his sin
and its far-reaching results.
He felt humbled in the eyes of his subjects.
His influence was weakened.
Hitherto his prosperity had been attributed to his conscientious obedience to the
commandments of the Lord. But now his subjects, having a knowledge of his sin,
would be led to sin more freely.
His authority in his own household, his claim to respect and obedience from his
sons, was weakened.
A sense of his guilt kept him silent when he should have condemned sin; it made
his arm feeble to execute justice in his house.
His evil example exerted its influence upon his sons, and God would not interpose
to prevent the result.
He would permit things to take their natural course, and thus David was severely
chastised” E.G.W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 71, page 723)
10. He was faithful to the death.
But Uriah’s story didn’t end there…
“Do not be afraid of what you
are about to suffer… Be
faithful until death, and I will
give you the crown of life”
Revelation 2:10
11. ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?
DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?
APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?
PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?
TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?
ADAPT it!
Teaching Approach
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Characters of the Old Testament
