soon as Satan can separate the soul from God, the only Source of strength, he will seek to arouse the unholy desires of man's carnal nature. The work of the enemy is not abrupt; it is not, at the outset, sudden and startling; it is a secret undermining of the strongholds of principle. It begins in apparently small things—the neglect to be true to God and to rely upon Him wholly, the disposition to follow the customs and practices of the world. PP 717.2 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…
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
Both passages discuss temptation arising from one's own desires. The EGW passage elaborates on how Satan exploits these desires, while James 1:14 states the principle directly.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
Both passages warn about the devil's active role in tempting and seeking to destroy. The EGW passage describes the subtle tactics, while 1 Peter 5:8 uses the metaphor of a roaring lion.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The EGW passage describes Satan's work as undermining principles, which aligns with the idea of wrestling against spiritual wickedness. Ephesians 6:12 speaks of a spiritual battle, and the EGW passage illustrates how that battle manifests.
"Amid the perils of his earlier life David in conscious integrity could trust his case with God. The Lord's hand had guided him safely past the unnumbered snares that had been laid for his feet. But now, guilty and unrepentant, he did not ask help and guidance from Heaven, but sought to extricate himself from the dangers in which sin had involved him. Bathsheba, whose fatal beauty had proved a snare to the king, was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's bravest and most faithful officers. None could foresee what would be the result should the crime become known. The law of God pronounced the adulterer guilty of death, and the proud- spirited soldier, so shamefully wronged, might avenge himself by taking the life of the king or by exciting the nation to revolt. PP 718.2"
"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah."
The EGW passage highlights David's failure to confess his sin and seek God's help. Psalm 32:5 emphasizes the importance of confession and God's forgiveness, contrasting with David's initial actions.
"Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net."
The EGW passage contrasts David's earlier reliance on God with his later self-reliance after sinning. Psalm 25:15 expresses a general trust in God to deliver from snares, which is relevant to David's situation before his sin.