Day 129: David Commits Adultery

2 Samuel 11:1-27 Following his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, David arranged for Uriah’s death, which freed Bathsheba to marry him. In doing so, he committed the sins of coveting another man’s wife (Ninth Commandment), adultery (Sixth Commandment), murder (Fifth Commandment); the last two were punishable by death according to the Law. (CCC 2268-2269)


1 Chronicles 14:1-17 This account is largely taken from an earlier narrative (cf. 2 Sm 5), but it adds the command of David to burn the idols confiscated from the Philistines. (CCC 2113-2114)


Ch 15:1-16:43 The glorious celebration that accompanied the procession and installation of the Ark of the Covenant into the tent of meeting in Jerusalem was an event of utmost significance in the history of Israel. Music and song were an integral part of worship in ancient Israel and are used in the liturgical worship of the Church. (CCC 1156-115) 


IDOLS ARE MAN-MADE REPRESENTATIONS OF GODS used for worship. Such worship is contrary to the First Commandment, which instructs us to worship God alone. Idolatry, like all habitual sin, can have enslaving effects that separate us from the one true God. The definition of idolatry extends to any person, object, material good, or concept that replaces the worship that is due to God alone.


Psalm 32 To confess one’s sins requires humility expressed in self-knowledge and self-accusation. This virtue is crucial in taking full advantage of the Sacrament of Penance. The psalmist was tormented and weighed down by a painful sense of guilt. Finally, he made the courageous decision to confess his sin before God, who-as always-readily forgives the humble and contrite heart. 


Contrition that effectively achieves reconciliation must not only include sorrow for sin but a firm resolution to avoid future sin. This is the mark of true conversion, which in turn involves keeping God’s Commandments. (Cf. St. John Paul II, General Audience, May 19, 2004)


I acknowledge...guilt of my sin: Illness, like all suffering, can be redemptive by uniting it to the sufferings of Christ. The experience of pain and weakness gives us a greater awareness of our dependence and need of God’s merciful assistance. (CCC 1502)


Be not like a horse or a mule: It would be quite foolish to ignore the counsel of the Church or of the priest in the Sacrament of Penance, which show the path to avoiding future sin. 

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)


David’s Sin

(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins) 



Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we give you praise and thank you. Thank you for this Psalm 32. Thank you for the fact that even in our sin we can call upon you and you hear our voice. You hear our prayer. Lord, in our imperfection, you meet us with your mercy. In our sins you meet us with your Grace. And so we are so grateful. We are so grateful because we in so many ways are like David. And we in so many ways turn away from what we know you are calling us to do and who we know you are calling us to be. And so we ask you please, renew your mercy in us as your mercies are renewed each morning, renew them in us. Because we need you and we need your mercy. We thank you and give you praise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”