II Samuel 10-11

“And David sent and inquired about the woman” (11:3).  David’s great sins of adultery and murder, like most catastrophic choices, required several willful steps.  At each point, such as when David found out that Bathsheba was married, he could have turned back, but he went forward.  When David’s scheme to deceive Uriah failed, he had a chance to tell the truth and repent, yet instead he escalated the tragedy.

“I will not do this thing” (II Sam 11:11).  God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger (Ex 34:6), and he gives us many opportunities to repent and change direction, if we will listen.