In the morning it happened that David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.” 2 Samuel 11:14-15

What is the worse that could happen to David if he confesses his adulterous sin? Someone would try to kill him. That’s already happened over several years with King Saul. It will happen again with David’s own son, Absalom.
What’s the best thing that could happen to David if he confesses his sin?
Forgiveness!

David chose to cover up his sin, something no one can accomplish.
He devises a scheme to trick Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, into going home and sleeping with her. That way the claim is the baby is Uriah’s.
It didn’t work.
David got Uriah drunk and tried to send him home.
That didn’t work.
So the king decides to have Uriah killed on the field of battle.
It worked but the scheming sin caused many other innocent men to die along with him, including one man killed when a woman threw a rock on his head.

These are not the only deaths associated with David’s sin. Many more die because of it all because one man wants to cover up what his mistake.

You cannot cover your own sin and sometimes the attempt drags others down with you. It’s certainly damaging to the body of Christ, especially when it’s a leader.
I admire someone more when they stand up and confess their faults.
The Bible encourages us to do that – Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16

As this story continues you’ll see God’s grace and mercy given in unbelievable ways.