Then David sent messengers to get her (Bathsheba). She came to him, and he slept with her. 2 Samuel 11:4
David was already married to Michal (who had been returned to him), Ahinoam and Abigail. Plus, “After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him”( 2 Samuel 5:13). There is a partial list in 1 Chronicles 3:1-9.
Constable quotes Swindoll in his commentary, and writes, “The king who took another man’s wife already had a harem full of women. The simple fact is that the passion of sex is not satisfied by a full harem of women: it is increased. Having many women does not reduce a man’s libido it excites it … it stimulates it.”
This is an interesting insight into human nature. No matter how much we have of something we always want more. Whether it’s sex, money, power, alcohol, or drugs. The desire isn’t satisfied by getting what we want. Instead, it’s stimulated. This explains how addictions work. People’s desires only increase the more they try to satisfy them.
How do we overcome such desires? By learning contentment. Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” he then goes on to say, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13).
The way to overcome the flesh that continually desires more is to learn to be content. With Christ’s help and strength, we can be content with our lives and not focus on what we don’t have.
