In studying the life of David, and the events surrounding his grievous sin, we discover that he is a good example of the brokenhearted sinner. In looking at the personalities in the Bible who said, “I have sinned”—Pharaoh, Balaam, Achan, Saul, and Judas—it is refreshing to turn to one who is sincere, one whose confession really meant something. David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). His tender heart toward God continued throughout David’s life. What separated David from others, despite his personal moral failure, was the way he detested idolatry (Ps. 16:4). God alone was King.

Nevertheless, David is also an example of a saint who becomes unwatchful; he was at ease when he should have been at war (2 Sam. 11:1), and he committed a horrible sin that ended in murder. Sin is deceitful; it promises but does not deliver.

When Nathan the prophet brought before David his sin, David immediately confessed, “I have sinned.” It was real, and Nathan said, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.” Forgiven! The wonderful grace of God. It is the knowledge and acknowledgment of grace in one’s life that produces worship and obedience. But Nathan also said the child of this union would die and the sword would not depart from David’s house (12:10, 14). This is an instance of God’s grace and government. David would go to heaven but he would reap governmentally for his sin in this world. A divine principle!

In David’s prayer of penitence, he said that God requires “truth in the inward parts” (Ps. 51:6)—in other words, a true dealing with one’s own sin. And also, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise” (v. 17). Amen and Amen!