Before the conclusion of the war with the Ammonites, David, leaving the conduct of the army to Joab, returned to Jerusalem. The Syrians had already submitted to Israel, and the complete overthrow of the Ammonites appeared certain. David was surrounded by the fruits of victory and the honors of his wise and able rule. It was now, while he was at ease and unguarded, that the tempter seized the opportunity to occupy his mind. The fact that God had taken David into so close connection with Himself and had manifested so great favor toward him, should have been to him the strongest of incentives to preserve his character unblemished. But when in ease and self-security he let go his hold upon God, David yielded to Satan and brought upon his soul the stain of guilt. He, the Heaven-appointed leader of the nation, chosen by God to execute His law, himself trampled upon its precepts. He who should have been a terror to evildoers, by his own act strengthened their hands.

Inden ammonitterkrigen var forbi, overlod David Joab kommandoen over hæren og vendte tilbage til Jerusalem. Syrerne havde allerede overgivet sig, og det var kun et tidsspørgsmål, hvornår ammonitterne var besejret. Nu kunne David nyde sejrens frugter og glæde sig over de hædersbevisninger, han modtog, takket være sit kloge og dygtige styre. Det var, mens der var fred og ingen fare, at fristeren benyttede lejligheden til at lægge beslag på hans opmærksomhed. David burde have gjort alt, hvad der stod i hans magt, for at bevare sin karakter ren og uplettet, fordi Gud havde knyttet ham så nært til sig og været så god imod ham. Men David gav efter for Satan og besmittede sin sjæl med synd, fordi han i sin tryghed og selvsikkerhed havde givet slip på Gud. Den mand, som Himmelen havde udpeget til at stå i spidsen for riget, og som Gud havde valgt til at håndhæve sin lov, nedtrampede selv dens forskrifter. Den mand, som skulle have været lovovertrædernes skræk, gav dem selv vind i sejlene.