2nd Samuel 11.1 NIV 

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army…. But David remained in Jerusalem.”

WARNING: The following contains biblical examples of sex and violence. This is an “R-rated” Bible story. Reader beware...

King David should have been leading his troops and fighting battles together with his warriors. Instead he sent Joab, the commander of his army, to do the king’s job. In so doing, David gave away a small portion of his power.

Things got worse. Back home the king slept with the wife of Uriah, one of his most valiant soldiers. To cover up his sin, David eventually gave Joab the order to murder this loyal soldier. In so doing, King David now gave a major portion of his power away.

“In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab…. In it he wrote,
‘Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then
withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.’”

2nd Samuel 11.14-15 NIV

Instead of following the king’s order, Joab got the job done another way. He sent Uriah with a larger group of men to the besieged city wall. It was a suicide mission. Close to the wall Joab’s warriors would be an easy target for the enemy’s arrows. It was a stupid military tactic and Joab anticipated David’s wrath…

“Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would
shoot arrows from the wall?... Why did you get so close to the wall?”
2nd Samuel 11.20-21 NIV

Joab disobeyed a direct order of the king. David was livid but unaware of the subtle shift of royal power from himself to the commander of his army. Joab was able to quiet David’s fury with three simple words: “Uriah… is dead” (2nd Samuel 11.24). When David included Joab in his cover-up, he unwittingly gave the commander huge controlling political power.

It always happens that way. If you sin, the people you recruit to hide your sin will eventually turn against you and use your secret to their own advantage. Joab had David under his political thumb until the king’s death 20 years later. It was a very uncomfortable balance of power from which David never fully recovered.

When you sin, it is never OK to panic and collaborate with others in a cover-up. If you hide your sin you give your power away to a force much greater than your own. Your destiny lies in the hands of those who will use your little secret to advance their own agendas. Don’t give them that kind of power. Instead, be strong in your repentance. Admit your sin to God and every involved party. Trust His word:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1st John 1.9 NKJV

Don’t give your power away. You are as spiritually sick as the secrets you hold. Tell the truth. Humbly confess your sin and retain the power of God in your life.