In the English Standard Version of the Bible, David’s name is mentioned 989 times. To put this in perspective, the name of Jesus is mentioned 1058 times. And just in case you’re curious, Abraham’s name is found 234 times, Jacob’s 361 times, Isaac’s 129 times, and Solomon’s 283 times. It’s obvious that David is a very prominent figure in the Bible.

It’s no wonder then, given David’s central place in the story of redemption, that we find such a large section of Scripture dedicated to one of the darkest periods in his ministry as the king of Israel. Almost two full chapters of Second Samuel are devoted to his sin with Bathsheba and its terrible aftermath. This would suggest that this event, as awful as it proves to be, is a central component of the Bible’s unfolding plan of redemption that finds its blessed fulfillment in our Lord Jesus Christ.

On Sunday, we will probe more deeply into this tragic season of the king’s life. And we will be especially interested to discover how we might face and find victory over our own temptations as we seek to follow our Lord.