At The Time Kings Go Forth To Battle

By Ted Mock

March 4, 2026

2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

David, in II Samuel, has finally become king, and he has been successful in expanding the kingdom. He has moved the Ark to Jerusalem making it the religious center of his kingdom.  He is no longer running from Saul and is richer and more powerful than he has ever been.

But he is restless and out of place. A perfect target for Satan.  Every man faces the same temptation, sometimes in the valleys of life, but many times on the peaks of life.  We men would do well to learn from Scripture how to avoid the traps of the devil and the consequences of being caught in them

When he should have been on the battlefield, he was walking on the roof top. David was displaced, not where he should have been (vs.1).  David was disturbed (vs.2).  He could not sleep, he was troubled.  It was not a physical need, as he had several wives’ downstairs. His mind was the problem.  Walking on the roof, he was distracted by what he saw (vs.3).  Our eyes can easily distract us men.  He knew it was wrong, but he was demanding (vs. 4+7).  David was going to force his will on others to sin.  All of this led to what always happens when we sin—it was displeasing to God.  

The chapter ends with one statement, “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”  

No one sins in a vacuum.  Sin always affects others, always has a cost, and always displeases our Lord.  Don’t fall for Satan’s trap.

Reflection—Be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there.