Intro: God Still Loves You After Adultery
If you’ve committed adultery, you might feel like your relationship with God is over. But the below Bible stories about adultery makes one thing clear: God will not throw you away because of adultery. Though sin has consequences, God’s mercy remains available. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of men who struggled with adultery-related sins and yet continued walking with God. See also the Wikipedia article on adultery in the Bible for more historical context.
Whether you’ve sinned, been sinned against, or are trying to rebuild after devastation, the Bible shows that God’s love is deeper than your failure. Learn more about Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness and purity in the Sermon on the Mount. This article explores that truth through Bible stories about adultery, Jesus’ response to the adulterous woman, and the reality of human versus divine forgiveness.
Patriarchs Who Struggled With Adultery and Still Knew God’s Love
David: Committed Adultery and Murder
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband Uriah killed (2 Samuel 11). His actions brought devastating consequences, including the death of his child. Yet, David repented (Psalm 51), and God still called him “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22).
Abraham and Isaac: Nearly Caused Adultery
Both Abraham and Isaac lied about their wives, calling them sisters, which led powerful men to take them (Genesis 12, Genesis 26). Had God not intervened, adultery would have occurred. Despite this failure, both patriarchs were used by God to birth nations.
Reuben: Violated His Father’s Marriage
Reuben slept with his father Jacob’s concubine (Genesis 35:22). Though he lost his birthright (Genesis 49:4), he was still counted among the twelve tribes of Israel.
Judah: Withheld Justice, Then Slept with Tamar
Judah refused to give his son Shelah to Tamar as required by law. Later, thinking Tamar was a prostitute, he slept with her (Genesis 38). Still, Judah later offered himself in place of his brother Benjamin (Genesis 44:33), showing transformation. His lineage led to Jesus Christ. This sin—breaking marriage obligation—echoes what Jesus described in Matthew 19:9 as adultery when a marriage is abandoned without just cause.
Solomon: Turned to Sexual Sin and Idolatry
Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3), and his heart was turned away by them. Yet, God still granted him wisdom and allowed him to write Scripture, including Ecclesiastes, which reveals a repentant heart.
God Forgives, Even When People Don’t
The Adulterous Woman and Jesus’ Mercy
In John 8, a woman caught in the act of adultery was dragged before Jesus. The crowd wanted her stoned, but Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” One by one, they dropped their stones and left. Jesus then said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”
This moment shows that Jesus did not excuse her sin—but He did forgive it. God’s forgiveness was greater than the public shame and human judgment she faced.
Hosea’s Story: A Picture of God’s Persistent Love
The prophet Hosea was told to marry an unfaithful woman to symbolize God’s enduring love for Israel (Hosea 1–3). Despite her repeated adultery, Hosea pursued and restored her. This mirrors God’s pursuit of you.
People May Reject You—God Won’t
The Bible is honest: human beings may not be forgiving. Tamar was nearly burned. David was scorned by his own family. The woman in John 8 was publicly humiliated. But God’s love cuts through the judgment of others.
Consequences Are Real—But So Is Restoration
These bible stories about adultery definitely support a finding that adultery often brings pain: broken trust, family disruption, and public shame. David lost a child. Reuben lost his inheritance. Solomon’s kingdom was divided. But God still used them anyway. He still drew near. He still fulfilled His promises.
If you’ve repented, you are not defined by your failure—you are defined by God’s forgiveness.
Prayer for Forgiveness and Restoration
Heavenly Father,
I come before You broken by my sin, especially the sin of adultery. I confess my wrongdoing and ask for Your forgiveness. Cleanse me with the blood of Jesus, who died for all my sins. Restore what has been lost. Heal what has been broken. Teach me to walk in purity, humility, and grace. Thank You for not throwing me away. Thank You for loving me even in my failure.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion: Bible Stories About Adultery Point to Redemption
You may carry the weight of adultery, but the Bible shows that your story is not over. God will not throw you away because of adultery. Through repentance, faith, and trust in Christ, you can be restored, renewed, and still called beloved.
Let the Bible stories about adultery—from David to the adulterous woman—remind you: where sin abounds, grace abounds more (Romans 5:20).
Learn more from the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where He redefines purity, marriage, and forgiveness..