David wanting to cover his sin by having Uriah killed is another part of the snowball effect of sin. The sin has taken over his life. It’s controlling his actions and dramatically affecting the lives of others. Your sin affects others. It dramatically impacts the lives of those around you.

We often hear of David going and worshiping before the Lord. He’s not doing that now. His thoughts are consumed with covering his sin of adultery with his sin of murder.

David commands Joab to put Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, in the heaviest fighting and then pull back from him. Joab understands David wants Uriah dead, and Joab obeyed his commander.

Did Joab sin?

Let’s assume Joab isn’t an idiot. He’s the commander of David’s army, a position of great responsibility. He must understand a few things. If Uriah had really done something worthy of being put to death, David could have had that carried out back in Jerusalem. He didn’t have to be sent back to the battle. David could have commanded Joab to kill him and given a reason. David does not.

It’s obvious that David wants it to look like Uriah was killed in battle. Joab, while obeying his authority, understands there is sin here. Something done in darkness is something that doesn’t want exposed. We are to walk in the light, letting God’s word shine on our lives and expose any of those harmful ways in us so we can get rid of them by His grace and power. Ephesians 5 says we’re to expose the unfruitful works of darkness.

If you are hiding anything, take it into the light of God’s love and ask Him to take it and deal with it. He can remove it from your life. You just have to want Him to.

Love God. If you truly love God with all your heart, you’ll hate the sin.