1 Kings 15:5

God remembers David and his obedience, even though he had turned aside from what was right in the matter of Uriah. That sin made bitter discipline necessary. After it, his restored soul found fellowship with his God again. The Lord did not forget these things. So we see Abijam's success, and his son Asa raised up for David's sake as a true witness for God in Judah. Only the grace of God could do this, not the merits of man.

Saul lost his kingdom for disobeying the commandment of the Lord. Then David came to the throne of Israel. David failed too, yet this could still be written of him: he "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD… except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite." This is a remarkable divine commendation.

David had sinned in the matter of Uriah's wife, and was guilty before God of adultery and murder. It was the great blot on his life (1 Kings 15:5), and God could not pass it over. It must all come out into the light. So Nathan the prophet visited the king. See how God's righteousness and God's mercy shine out. Righteousness made it necessary to deal with David over his sin. Mercy moved God to send the prophet to him.

There is no doubt that David repented, and God forgave his grievous sin. But the history of his reign from that time shows what this one sin had done. It had undermined his influence for good and given the enemy an occasion to triumph… What a sad epitaph! … May it not be true of us that our testimony is spoiled for the sake of being only "partially obedient"! We have proved that the Lord is gracious, but we must not presume on His grace.

In an evil hour David fell from his holy height. Under the blinding power of lust, he rushed into a deep and horrible pit of moral pollution. There, in that pit, the arrow of conviction reached his conscience. It drew from his broken heart those penitent words, "I have sinned against the Lord." How were those words met? By the clear and ready response of that free grace in which our God always delights: "The Lord has put away your sin." This was absolute grace… Then mercy's tender hand removed the guilt, and at once "the sword" was drawn from its sheath to carry out the necessary judgement. David was pardoned in full, but Absalom rose in rebellion.

Full and everlasting forgiveness, however, does not exempt those who receive it from God's dealings with them in government… Governmental dealing, however, ends with this life. God's favour to us, based on the sacrifice of Christ, lasts for ever.

Honourable mention is made of David (1 Kings 15:5), of Asa (1 Kings 15:11), and of Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:43). Each of them, in his own day, did well in carrying out his personal responsibility… Absolute perfection is only seen in the LORD'S "Servant." He alone could stand the test of this high standard.