Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble and I'm your host for the Bible Recap. When today's reading opens, the timeline has overlapped with what we read two days ago.

Israel has been at war with the Ammonites and the Syrian mercenaries they hired.

Israel defeated the Syrians and made them

their servants, but things were sort of left up in the air with the aminites.

Typically, Kings lead the way in their country's military exploits. But David decided to kick back at home

for some reason we never find out about instead of leading his people into battle.

It may seem like it's not a big deal, but this little decision exposes a big gap in his leadership.

It hints at passivity.

David is shirking responsibility.

And while his army is off to war, David's walking on his roof one day and sees Bathsheba bathing on her roof.

First of all, that's where people bathed, because that's where they could easily catch and store rainwater.

We have no reason to think she was trying to entire life. where they could easily catch and store rainwater.

We have no reason to think she was trying to entice David.

In fact, she probably assumed the king of all people

was off to war like he was supposed to be,

since that's where her husband, UriEria was. He was one of

David's mighty men. Second of all, Bathsheba was keeping the commands of God by

purifying herself. So here she is trying to be obedient when armed guards show up

at her door and bring her to the king's palace. David has brought her there

because he wants to sleep with her. And here is one thing scripture seems clear on. It

never once puts the blame on Bathsheba. God addresses the sin in this situation, but

it's always singular toward David. It seems evident in the words of

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