Adultery: Easier To Commit Than Explain

MARITAL MATTERS are much on the American mind this month. Actually, make that extra-marital matters. Why? Well, adultery, it turns out, is much easier to commit than to explain. That’s particularly true if you’re a politician, because if you’re in public life, people sometimes expect more of you. Exactly why is a mystery, given the public’s generally low regard for the political species. And yet it nevertheless seems to be the case, especially when it comes to present, past, and aspiring holders of high office. - Adultery and the politician - Boston.com

The above piece was written a year ago. The comments remain relevant this year. They will be one year from now. Year after year, in places high or low, here in the United States and around the world, one political figure after another is toppled from his position by an extra-marital affair.

The most prominent Biblical member of that species was David, King of Israel. It happened on a lazy afternoon in the Spring, while David's army was away on another of the many skirmishes they had with the Ammonites, descendants of Lot's son (Gen. 19:38). David was lounging on his roof when he suddenly spied a beautiful woman next door taking an outdoors bath. Her name was Bathsheba, the wife of one of David's soldiers. David sent for her and thus began a very heated affair. Next thing you know, she was pregnant. In order to cover it all up, David arranged for her husband to be killed in battle. Shortly after that she became another of David's many wives (2 Samuel 11:1-27).

That story is behind one of the most prominent of David's Psalms. Psalm 51 begins with these words:

A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. —Psalm 51:1

Politician or not, cheating husband or wife, cheated-upon spouse or not, we all have much to learn from David's experience of adultery, confession and absolution. He continues his song.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! [3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. - Psa 51:1-4 ESV

Nathan was David's court prophet (dare I call him chaplain?). We know very little about him. He first appears as the one encouraging David's plan to build a temple to the LORD. The same night, however, Nathan receives a vision that plays on the Hebrew word bayit, house. The LORD, Nathan tells David, does not want him to build a house or temple for the LORD. Nevertheless David's house, his family, has an eternal destiny. From this family blessings for all mankind were to come. Nathan shares his vision.

He (David) shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'" - 2Sa 7:13-16 ESV

Nathan was the channel for this astounding promise. And later, in spite of his fall into temptation, David did not forget Nathan's words. Nor did he forget that the LORD spoke through Nathan. Consequently, when Nathan challenged David for his adultery, David found courage in that Word from Nathan, courage to confess his sins and beg forgiveness. The Word of the LORD spoken by Nathan was a Word of love. David accepted Nathan in that spirit and prayed for mercy and cleansing.

This can be an important lesson for pastors, parents and friends. First make sure that you speak in the spirit of kindness and love, not in self-righteous anger or pharisaical snobbery. But then do not fail to confront the member of your flock, your son or daughter or your friend. Gently, but firmly show them their sin. When they repent and ask for mercy, remind them of the mercy and forgiveness available to us all in Jesus Christ and His cross.

More on Psalm 51 next time.