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Text -- 2 Samuel 11:1-13 (NET)
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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
When that year ended, and the next begun, which was in the spring time.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:1 - -- Which is, when the ground is fit for the march of soldiers, and brings forth provision for man and beast.
Which is, when the ground is fit for the march of soldiers, and brings forth provision for man and beast.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:1 - -- Had he been now in his post, at the head of his forces be had been out of the way of temptation.
Had he been now in his post, at the head of his forces be had been out of the way of temptation.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:2 - -- Where he had lain, and slept for some time. And the bed of sloth often proves the bed of lust.
Where he had lain, and slept for some time. And the bed of sloth often proves the bed of lust.
In a bath, which was in her garden. Probably from some ceremonial pollution.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:3 - -- Instead of suppressing that desire which the sight of his eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first enquires who she was; that if she we...
Instead of suppressing that desire which the sight of his eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first enquires who she was; that if she were unmarried, he might make her either his wife or his concubine.
From her own house into his palace, not by force, but by persuasion.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:4 - -- See how all the way to sin is down hill! When men begin, they cannot soon stop themselves.
See how all the way to sin is down hill! When men begin, they cannot soon stop themselves.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:8 - -- Not doubting but he would there converse with his wife, and so cover their sin and shame.
Not doubting but he would there converse with his wife, and so cover their sin and shame.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:9 - -- With the king's guard. This he did, by the secret direction of God's wise providence, who would bring David's sin to light.
With the king's guard. This he did, by the secret direction of God's wise providence, who would bring David's sin to light.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:10 - -- Wearied with hard service and travel, nor did I expect or desire that thou shouldest now attend upon my person, or keep the watch.
Wearied with hard service and travel, nor did I expect or desire that thou shouldest now attend upon my person, or keep the watch.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:11 - -- This it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual.
This it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual.
Wesley: 2Sa 11:11 - -- In tents which are in the fields. His meaning is, now, when God's people are in a doubtful and dangerous condition, it becomes me to sympathize with t...
In tents which are in the fields. His meaning is, now, when God's people are in a doubtful and dangerous condition, it becomes me to sympathize with them, and to abstain even from lawful delights.
JFB: 2Sa 11:1 - -- The return of spring was the usual time of commencing military operations. This expedition took place the year following the war against the Syrians; ...
The return of spring was the usual time of commencing military operations. This expedition took place the year following the war against the Syrians; and it was entered upon because the disaster of the former campaign having fallen chiefly upon the Syrian mercenaries, the Ammonites had not been punished for their insult to the ambassadors.
JFB: 2Sa 11:1 - -- The powerful army that Joab commanded ravaged the Ammonite country and committed great havoc both on the people and their property, until having reach...
The powerful army that Joab commanded ravaged the Ammonite country and committed great havoc both on the people and their property, until having reached the capital, they besieged Rabbah-- Rabbah denotes a great city. This metropolis of the Ammonites was situated in the mountainous tract of Gilead, not far from the source of the Arnon. Extensive ruins are still found on its site.
JFB: 2Sa 11:2 - -- The Hebrews, like other Orientals, rose at daybreak, and always took a nap during the heat of the day. Afterwards they lounged in the cool of the even...
The Hebrews, like other Orientals, rose at daybreak, and always took a nap during the heat of the day. Afterwards they lounged in the cool of the evening on their flat-roofed terraces. It is probable that David had ascended to enjoy the open-air refreshment earlier than usual.
JFB: 2Sa 11:3 - -- She seems to have been a celebrated beauty, whose renown had already reached the ears of David, as happens in the East, from reports carried by the wo...
She seems to have been a celebrated beauty, whose renown had already reached the ears of David, as happens in the East, from reports carried by the women from harem to harem.
JFB: 2Sa 11:4 - -- The despotic kings of the East, when they take a fancy for a woman, send an officer to the house were she lives, who announces it to be the royal plea...
The despotic kings of the East, when they take a fancy for a woman, send an officer to the house were she lives, who announces it to be the royal pleasure she should remove to the palace. An apartment is there assigned to her; and if she is made queen, the monarch orders the announcement to be made that he has made choice of her to be queen. Many instances in modern Oriental history show the ease and despatch with which such secondary marriages are contracted, and a new beauty added to the royal seraglio. But David had to make a promise, or rather an express stipulation, to Bath-sheba, before she complied with the royal will (1Ki 1:13, 1Ki 1:15, 1Ki 1:17, 1Ki 1:28); for in addition to her transcendent beauty, she appears to have been a woman of superior talents and address in obtaining the object of her ambition; in her securing that her son should succeed on the throne; in her promptitude to give notice of her pregnancy; in her activity in defeating Adonijah's natural expectation of succeeding to the crown; in her dignity as the king's mother--in all this we see very strong indications of the ascendency she gained and maintained over David, who, perhaps, had ample leisure and opportunity to discover the punishment of this unhappy connection in more ways than one [TAYLOR, Calmet].
JFB: 2Sa 11:5 - -- Some immediate measures of concealing their sin were necessary, as well for the king's honor as for her safety, for death was the punishment of an adu...
Some immediate measures of concealing their sin were necessary, as well for the king's honor as for her safety, for death was the punishment of an adulteress (Lev 20:10).
JFB: 2Sa 11:8 - -- This sudden recall, the manner of the king, his frivolous questions (2Sa 11:7), and his urgency for Uriah to sleep in his own house, probably awakened...
This sudden recall, the manner of the king, his frivolous questions (2Sa 11:7), and his urgency for Uriah to sleep in his own house, probably awakened suspicions of the cause of this procedure.
JFB: 2Sa 11:8 - -- A portion of meat from the royal table, sent to one's own house or lodgings, is one of the greatest compliments which an Eastern prince can pay.
A portion of meat from the royal table, sent to one's own house or lodgings, is one of the greatest compliments which an Eastern prince can pay.
JFB: 2Sa 11:9 - -- It is customary for servants to sleep in the porch or long gallery; and the guards of the Hebrew king did the same. Whatever his secret suspicions mig...
It is customary for servants to sleep in the porch or long gallery; and the guards of the Hebrew king did the same. Whatever his secret suspicions might have been, Uriah's refusal to indulge in the enjoyment of domestic pleasure, and his determination to sleep "at the door of the king's house," arose from a high and honorable sense of military duty and propriety (2Sa 11:11). But, doubtless, the resolution of Uriah was overruled by that Providence which brings good out of evil, and which has recorded this sad episode for the warning of the church.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:1 - -- When kings go forth - This was about a year after the war with the Syrians spoken of before, and about the spring of the year, as the most proper se...
When kings go forth - This was about a year after the war with the Syrians spoken of before, and about the spring of the year, as the most proper season for military operations. Calmet thinks they made two campaigns, one in autumn and the other in spring; the winter being in many respects inconvenient, and the summer too hot.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:2 - -- In an evening-tide - David arose - He had been reposing on the roof of his house, to enjoy the breeze, as the noonday was too hot for the performanc...
In an evening-tide - David arose - He had been reposing on the roof of his house, to enjoy the breeze, as the noonday was too hot for the performance of business. This is still a constant custom on the flat-roofed houses in the East
Clarke: 2Sa 11:2 - -- He saw a woman washing herself - How could any woman of delicacy expose herself where she could be so fully and openly viewed? Did she not know that...
He saw a woman washing herself - How could any woman of delicacy expose herself where she could be so fully and openly viewed? Did she not know that she was at least in view of the king’ s terrace? Was there no design in all this? Et fugit ad salices, et se cupit ante videri . In a Bengal town pools of water are to be seen everywhere, and women may be seen morning and evening bathing in them, and carrying water home. Thus David might have seen Bath-sheba, and no blame attach to her
2Sa 11:4 shows us that this washing was at the termination of a particular period.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:3 - -- The daughter of Eliam - Called, 1Ch 3:5, Ammiel; a word of the same meaning, The people of my God, The God of my people. This name expressed the cov...
The daughter of Eliam - Called, 1Ch 3:5, Ammiel; a word of the same meaning, The people of my God, The God of my people. This name expressed the covenant - I will be your God; We will be thy people.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:4 - -- And she came in unto him - We hear nothing of her reluctance, and there is no evidence that she was taken by force.
And she came in unto him - We hear nothing of her reluctance, and there is no evidence that she was taken by force.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:5 - -- And the woman conceived - A proof of the observation on 2Sa 11:4; as that is the time in which women are most apt to conceive.
And the woman conceived - A proof of the observation on 2Sa 11:4; as that is the time in which women are most apt to conceive.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:8 - -- Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet - Uriah had come off a journey, and needed this refreshment; but David’ s design was that he should go ...
Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet - Uriah had come off a journey, and needed this refreshment; but David’ s design was that he should go and lie with his wife, that the child now conceived should pass for his, the honor of Bath-sheba be screened, and his own crime concealed. At this time he had no design of the murder of Uriah, nor of taking Bath-sheba to wife
A mess of meat from the king - All this was artfully contrived.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:9 - -- Slept at the door - That is, in one of the apartments or niches in the court of the king’ s house. But in Bengal servants and others generally ...
Slept at the door - That is, in one of the apartments or niches in the court of the king’ s house. But in Bengal servants and others generally sleep on the verandahs or porches in face of their master’ s house.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:10 - -- Camest thou not from thy journey? - It is not thy duty to keep watch or guard; thou art come from a journey, and needest rest and refreshment.
Camest thou not from thy journey? - It is not thy duty to keep watch or guard; thou art come from a journey, and needest rest and refreshment.
Clarke: 2Sa 11:11 - -- The ark, and Israel - abide in tents - It appears therefore that they had taken the ark with them to battle
This was the answer of a brave, generous...
The ark, and Israel - abide in tents - It appears therefore that they had taken the ark with them to battle
This was the answer of a brave, generous and disinterested man. I will not indulge myself while all my fellow soldiers are exposed to hardships, and even the ark of the Lord in danger. Had Uriah no suspicion of what had been done in his absence?
Clarke: 2Sa 11:13 - -- He made him drunk - Supposing that in this state he would have been off his guard, and hastened down to his house.
He made him drunk - Supposing that in this state he would have been off his guard, and hastened down to his house.
TSK: 2Sa 11:1 - -- am 2969, bc 1035, An, Ex, Is, 456
after the year : etc. Heb. at the return of the year. 1Ki 20:22, 1Ki 20:26; 2Ch 36:10; Ecc 3:8
at the time : The sa...
am 2969, bc 1035, An, Ex, Is, 456
after the year : etc. Heb. at the return of the year. 1Ki 20:22, 1Ki 20:26; 2Ch 36:10; Ecc 3:8
at the time : The sacred historian seems to intimate that there was one particular time of the year to which military operations were limited; and Josephus informs us that this took place in the beginning of spring. In another part of his works he says, that as soon as spring was begun, Adad levied and led forth his army against the Hebrews. Antiochus also prepared to invade Judea at the first appearance of spring; and Vespasian marched to Antipatris at the commencement of the same season. The kings and armies of the East, says Chardin, do not march but when there is grass, and when they can encamp, which is in April. This rule, however, seems to be disregarded in modern times.
TSK: 2Sa 11:2 - -- arose from : 2Sa 4:5, 2Sa 4:7; Pro 19:15, Pro 24:33, Pro 24:34; Mat 26:40, Mat 26:41; 1Th 5:6, 1Th 5:7; 1Pe 4:7
the roof of : Deu 22:8; Jer 19:13; Mat...
TSK: 2Sa 11:3 - -- sent : Jer 5:8; Hos 7:6, Hos 7:7; Jam 1:14, Jam 1:15
Bathsheba : or, Bath-shua
Eliam : or, Ammiel, 1Ch 3:5
Uriah : 2Sa 23:39; 1Ch 11:41
TSK: 2Sa 11:4 - -- sent messengers : Gen 39:7; Job 31:9-11; Psa 50:18
he lay : Psa 51:1 *title Jam 1:14, Jam 1:15
she was : etc. or, and when she had purified herself, e...
sent messengers : Gen 39:7; Job 31:9-11; Psa 50:18
he lay : Psa 51:1 *title Jam 1:14, Jam 1:15
she was : etc. or, and when she had purified herself, etc. she returned. Pro 30:20
purified : Lev 12:2-5, Lev 15:19-28, Lev 15:29-33, Lev 18:19
TSK: 2Sa 11:6 - -- Send me : Gen 4:7, Gen 38:18-23; 1Sa 15:30; Job 20:12-14; Pro 28:13; Isa 29:13; Mat 26:70, Mat 26:72, Mat 26:74
Send me : Gen 4:7, Gen 38:18-23; 1Sa 15:30; Job 20:12-14; Pro 28:13; Isa 29:13; Mat 26:70, Mat 26:72, Mat 26:74
TSK: 2Sa 11:8 - -- go down : Psa 44:21; Isa 29:15; Luk 12:2; Heb 4:13
wash : Gen 18:4, Gen 19:2
there followed him : Heb. there went out after him, Psa 12:2, Psa 55:21
a...
TSK: 2Sa 11:11 - -- The ark : 2Sa 7:2, 2Sa 7:6; 1Sa 4:4, 1Sa 14:18
my lord : 2Sa 20:6; Mat 10:24, Mat 10:25; Joh 13:14; 1Co 9:25-27; 2Ti 2:3, 2Ti 2:4, 2Ti 2:12; Heb 12:1,...
collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 2Sa 11:1 - -- After the year was expired - The next spring after the escape of the Ammonites into their city 2Sa 10:14. The children of Ammon - The mar...
After the year was expired - The next spring after the escape of the Ammonites into their city 2Sa 10:14.
The children of Ammon - The marginal reference supplies the word "the land of,"which is obviously the right reading.
David tarried at Jerusalem - The Syrians being subdued, the war with Ammon was not of sufficient moment to require David’ s personal presence. The whole section relating to David’ s adultery and Uriah’ s death, from this verse to 2Sa 12:26, is omitted in the Book of Chronicles.
An eveningtide - The evening began at three o’ clock in the afternoon.
Barnes: 2Sa 11:3 - -- Eliam - Or Ammiel, 1Ch 3:5, the component words being placed in an inverse order. Bath-sheba was the granddaughter of Ahithophel 2Sa 23:34.
Barnes: 2Sa 11:7 - -- David was forced to stoop to falsehood and dissimulation in the vain hope of hiding his sin.
David was forced to stoop to falsehood and dissimulation in the vain hope of hiding his sin.
Barnes: 2Sa 11:8 - -- A mess of meat - Compare Gen 43:34. The word denotes the honorable portion given by the host to his chief guest.
A mess of meat - Compare Gen 43:34. The word denotes the honorable portion given by the host to his chief guest.
Barnes: 2Sa 11:11 - -- The ark - Perhaps there was a double purpose in taking the ark; one, to excite to the utmost the enthusiasm of the people for its defense and a...
The ark - Perhaps there was a double purpose in taking the ark; one, to excite to the utmost the enthusiasm of the people for its defense and against the Ammonites; the other, to have the means at hand of inquiring of the Lord, which David had found so serviceable.
Poole: 2Sa 11:1 - -- After the year was expired when that year ended, and the next begun, which was in the spring time, Exo 12:2 .
When kings go forth which is when th...
After the year was expired when that year ended, and the next begun, which was in the spring time, Exo 12:2 .
When kings go forth which is when the ground is fit for the march of soldiers, and brings forth provision for man and beast.
To battle: these words are to be understood here, as Gen 10:11 14:8 .
Rabbah the chief and royal city of the Ammonites, Deu 3:11 .
Poole: 2Sa 11:2 - -- From off his bed where he had lain and slept for some time; being possibly disposed to sleep after dinner, by reason of some excess committed in eati...
From off his bed where he had lain and slept for some time; being possibly disposed to sleep after dinner, by reason of some excess committed in eating or drinking; and indulging himself in his lazy humour, which may seem very improper for so great a prince and captain, who had so many and great burdens upon his shoulders, especially in a time of war; and therefore such practices have been condemned by heathens; and Homer will not allow a general and great counsellor to sleep all the night, much less to take any part of the day for it. And therefore this is thought to be David’ s first error, and the occasion of his following fall. Walked upon the roof; which was plain, after the manner, Deu 22:8 .
Washing herself to wit, in a bath, which possibly was in her garden, or in some room near to the king s palace, where she might wash herself divers ways, and for different ends; either for health, or coolness, or to cleanse herself from some kind of legal impurity; where also, the windows being open, and she careless, David might espy her.
Poole: 2Sa 11:3 - -- Instead of suppressing that lust which the sight of his eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first inquires who she was; that, if she w...
Instead of suppressing that lust which the sight of his eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first inquires who she was; that, if she were unmarried, he might make her either his wife or his concubine.
Bath-sheba called also Bath-shuah , 1Ch 3:5 , where also Eliam is called Ammiel . The Hittite ; so called, either,
1. By his original, being born either of that race, but become a zealous proselyte; or, at least. among that people. Or,
2. By his habitation among them. Or,
3. For some notable exploit of his against that people: see 1Sa 26:6 , and See Poole "2Sa 8:18" .
Poole: 2Sa 11:4 - -- David sent and took her from her own house into his palace, not by force, but by persuasion, as desiring to speak with her.
She came in unto him in...
David sent and took her from her own house into his palace, not by force, but by persuasion, as desiring to speak with her.
She came in unto him into his palace and chamber, as he desired. For she was purified, to wit, from her menstruous pollution, according to the law, Lev 18:19 ; which is here noted as the reason, either why David pursued his lustful desire, or why she so easily yielded to it, because she was not under that pollution which might alienate her from it; or rather, why she so readily conceived, that time being observed by Aristotle and others to be the most likely time for conception.
Poole: 2Sa 11:5 - -- Consider therefore what to do for thy own honour, and for my safety, whom thou hast brought into a most shameful and dangerous condition.
Consider therefore what to do for thy own honour, and for my safety, whom thou hast brought into a most shameful and dangerous condition.
Poole: 2Sa 11:7 - -- Frivolous questions, which any common messenger could have answered; which probably made Uriah suspect that there was some other secret cause why he...
Frivolous questions, which any common messenger could have answered; which probably made Uriah suspect that there was some other secret cause why he was sent for. And he might understand something, either by David’ s messengers, 2Sa 11:4 , or by some of his own family, concerning her being sent for to the court; which, together with other circumstances, might give him cause of further suspicion. Yet such might be the questions (though not here particularly mentioned) concerning those heads, as every private person might not be acquainted with, nor able to resolve, but such only as were acquainted with the counsel of war.
Poole: 2Sa 11:8 - -- Go down to thy house not doubting but he would there converse with his wife, and so cover their sin and shame.
Wash thy feet as travellers there us...
Go down to thy house not doubting but he would there converse with his wife, and so cover their sin and shame.
Wash thy feet as travellers there used to do. There followed him a mess of meat; seemingly as testimony of David’ s respect and affection to him; but really to cheer up his spirits, and dispose him to desire his wife’ s company.
Poole: 2Sa 11:9 - -- With all the servants of his lord with the king’ s guard. This he did, either upon some suspicion of the matter; see 2Sa 11:7 or by the secret ...
With all the servants of his lord with the king’ s guard. This he did, either upon some suspicion of the matter; see 2Sa 11:7 or by the secret direction of God’ s wise and irresistible providence, who would bring David’ s sin to light.
Poole: 2Sa 11:10 - -- When they had told David whether of their own accord, or being first asked by David, it doth not appear.
Camest thou not from thy journey wearied w...
When they had told David whether of their own accord, or being first asked by David, it doth not appear.
Camest thou not from thy journey wearied with hard service and travel, and therefore didst need refreshment? nor did I expect or desire that thou shouldst now attend upon my person, or keep the watch.
Poole: 2Sa 11:11 - -- The ark it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual: see Num 10:35 1Sa 4:4 .
In the open fields to wit,...
The ark it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual: see Num 10:35 1Sa 4:4 .
In the open fields to wit, in tents which are in the fields.
And to lie with my wife: he might possibly add these words, to insinuate his apprehension of the king’ s design, and to awaken his conscience to the consideration of his sin, and of the injury which he had done him. His meaning is, Now when God’ s people are in a doubtful and dangerous condition, it becomes me to sympathize with them, and to abstain even from lawful delights. Whereby he might possibly intimate how unworthy it was for David in such a season to indulge himself in sinful and injurious pleasures. But David’ s ear was now deaf, his heart being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Poole: 2Sa 11:13 - -- When David had called him i.e. being invited by David.
He made him drunk or, he made him merry , as the word oft signifies. He caused him to drink...
When David had called him i.e. being invited by David.
He made him drunk or, he made him merry , as the word oft signifies. He caused him to drink more than was convenient.
He went out to lie on his bed which it doth not appear that he did the night before; but now his excess in eating and drinking might make it more necessary for him.
With the servants of his lord i.e. in some chamber in the king’ s court, where the king’ s servants used to take their repose.
Haydock: 2Sa 11:1 - -- Year. Hebrew, "at the end of the year," (Chaldean; Syriac) which may be explained either of the year after the preceding engagement, or at the end o...
Year. Hebrew, "at the end of the year," (Chaldean; Syriac) which may be explained either of the year after the preceding engagement, or at the end of the civil year, in the autumnal equinox, (Calmet) or of the sacred year, which begins in the spring, (Haydock) when kings more commonly go to battle, about the month of March. (Menochius) ---
In hot countries they make a campaign also in autumn. ---
Ammon. They had not been sufficiently chastised, as they had saved themselves within their strong cities. They had added to their other crimes, that of stirring up the Syrians against David. (Calmet) ---
Rabba, the capital of Ammon, which Polybius calls "Rabatamana." See chap. v. 8. (Haydock)
Haydock: 2Sa 11:2 - -- Noon. He had been reposing, according to custom, chap. iv. 7. (Calmet) ---
But the devil was not idle. He was meditating a temptation and crime, ...
Noon. He had been reposing, according to custom, chap. iv. 7. (Calmet) ---
But the devil was not idle. He was meditating a temptation and crime, which involved a great part of the remainder of David's life in misery. (Haydock) ---
He had reigned 18 years, and lived 48, almost without blame. (Salien, the year of the world 2998.) ---
His house, as the Hebrew explains it. The Vulgate might insinuate that the woman was upon "the roof of her house." But she was probably in her garden, as the Jews have their baths in the open air. They are frequently obliged to purify themselves. (Calmet) ---
The house must have been very near David's palace. (Salien)
Haydock: 2Sa 11:3 - -- Eliam. By a transposition of letters, he is called Ammiel, in 1 Paralipomenon iii. 5. Both words signify "my people is God's." This son of Achitop...
Eliam. By a transposition of letters, he is called Ammiel, in 1 Paralipomenon iii. 5. Both words signify "my people is God's." This son of Achitophel (chap. xxiii. 34,) was one of David's valiant men, as well as Urias, who is styled the Hethite, being born at Eth; (St. Jerome; Salien) or on account of his extraction, or because he or his ancestors (Haydock) had performed some great exploit against that nation; as Germanicus, Africanus, &c., received those titles among the Romans, for conquering the Germans, &c. (Calmet) ---
Eth was a place near Hebron. (Adrichomius 128.) (Menochius) ---
The name of Bethsabee is also different in Paralipomenon; the last b in Hebrew being changed into v. Both-shua, both-al-i-am; instead of Both-shoba, both-am-i-al. (Haydock) (Kennicott) ---
The grandfather of Bethsabee is supposed to have revolted against David, to revenge the wrong done to her. (Tirinus; Cornelius a Lapide) "Let the weak tremble at the fall of the strong." (St. Augustine, in Psalm l.)
Haydock: 2Sa 11:4 - -- Purified. Literally, "sanctified." Hebrew and Septuagint, "for she was, " &c. (Haydock) ---
Hoc ideo additum ne miraremur illico eam concepisse. ...
Purified. Literally, "sanctified." Hebrew and Septuagint, "for she was, " &c. (Haydock) ---
Hoc ideo additum ne miraremur illico eam concepisse. (Grotius; Aristotle, Anim. vii. 20. ---
Women were obliged to bathe after such actions, Leviticus xv. 18.
Haydock: 2Sa 11:8 - -- Feet. As they did not wear stockings, this practice was very common after a journey. David thus insinuated that Urias might take his rest, and go t...
Feet. As they did not wear stockings, this practice was very common after a journey. David thus insinuated that Urias might take his rest, and go to his wife, that so he might suppose that the child was his own, and the crime of Bethsabee might be concealed. (Calmet) ---
King, as a mark of honour, but in reality that he might be more excited to indulge his pleasures. (Abulensis) (Menochius)
Journey, of thirty hours' length. (Adrichomius)
Haydock: 2Sa 11:11 - -- Ark. Most people suppose that the ark and the priests were before Rabba, as they seem to have been present in all expeditions of consequence. (Meno...
Ark. Most people suppose that the ark and the priests were before Rabba, as they seem to have been present in all expeditions of consequence. (Menochius) (Calmet) ---
but, at any rate, the ark was covered with skins or veils, even in the tabernacle at Gabaon, or at Sion. (Haydock) ---
Thing. He binds himself by an oath not to gratify his natural inclinations, that the king might desist from pressing him any farther. (Salien) ---
But David resolves to endeavour to make him forget his oath, during the moments of intoxication. The valour and temperance of Urias, and divine Providence, render all his craft useless; and a concatenation of crimes cannot hide the original offence. (Haydock)
Haydock: 2Sa 11:13 - -- Couch. It seems he was one of the guards. Josephus says he was Joab's armour-bearer, (Antiquities vii. 7.) and one of David's heroes, chap. xxiii. ...
Couch. It seems he was one of the guards. Josephus says he was Joab's armour-bearer, (Antiquities vii. 7.) and one of David's heroes, chap. xxiii. 39.
Gill: 2Sa 11:1 - -- And it came to pass, that after the year was expired,.... Or at the end of the year, as the Targum, which concluded with the month Adar or February, t...
And it came to pass, that after the year was expired,.... Or at the end of the year, as the Targum, which concluded with the month Adar or February, the spring of the year:
at the time when kings go forth to battle; in the month Nisan, as the Targum on 1Ch 20:1; adds, the same with Abib, which was the first month of the year, Exo 12:2, a fit time to go out to war; when, as the Jewish commentators observe, the rains were over, and there were grass in the fields, and fruit on the trees, and corn ripe, and so food for horse and men. This month was called Nisan, as some think d, from
that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; his whole army under Joab as general; in 1Ch 20:1; it is "the power of the army"; the whole body of it: and they destroyed the children of Ammon; burnt their cities, and slew the inhabitants of them, and laid their land waste wherever they came:
and besieged Rabbah; their chief city, called Rabathamana by Polybius f, that is, Rabbah of Ammon, and afterwards. Philadelphia, from Philadelphus, king of Egypt, as it was in the times of Jerom g:
but David tarried still at Jerusalem; which is observed for the sake of the following history; it would have been well for him if he had gone forth with the army himself, then the sin he fell into would have been prevented.
Gill: 2Sa 11:2 - -- And it came to pass in an eveningtide,.... Some time in the afternoon, when the sun began to decline; not in the dusk of the evening, for then the obj...
And it came to pass in an eveningtide,.... Some time in the afternoon, when the sun began to decline; not in the dusk of the evening, for then the object he saw could not have been seen so distinctly by him:
that David arose from off his bed; having taken a nap in the heat of the day after dinner; indulging himself more than he used to do to sloth and luxury, which prepared him, and led him on the more eagerly to the lust of uncleanness:
and walked upon the roof of the king's house; to refresh himself after his sleep, it being the cool of the day, and the roof of the house being flat and fit to walk upon, as the houses of Judea were; see Deu 22:8,
and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; in a bath in her garden, or in an apartment in her house, the window being open:
and the woman was very beautiful to look upon; of a fine shape and good complexion, and comely countenance; all which were incentives to lust, at which his eye was attracted to, and his heart was ensnared with her.
Gill: 2Sa 11:3 - -- And David sent and inquired after the woman,.... Who she was, what her name, and whether married or unmarried; if the latter, very probably his intent...
And David sent and inquired after the woman,.... Who she was, what her name, and whether married or unmarried; if the latter, very probably his intention was to marry her, and he might, when he first made the inquiry, design to proceed no further, or to anything that was dishonourable; but it would have been better for him not to have inquired at all, and endeavoured to stifle the motions raised in him at the sight of her:
and one said, is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam; who in 1Ch 3:5; is called Bathshua, and her father Ammiel, which is the same with Eliam reversed:
the wife of Uriah the Hittite? who either was of that nation originally, and became a proselyte; or had sojourned there for a while, and took the name or had it given him, for some exploit he had performed against that people, as Scipio Africanus, and others among the Romans; this was said by one that David inquired of, or heard him asking about her, and was sufficient to have stopped him from proceeding any further, when he was informed she was another man's wife: some say h she was the daughter of Ahithophel's son; see 2Sa 23:34.
Gill: 2Sa 11:4 - -- And David sent messengers,.... To invite her to his palace:
and took her; not by force, but through persuasion:
and she came in unto him; into t...
And David sent messengers,.... To invite her to his palace:
and took her; not by force, but through persuasion:
and she came in unto him; into the apartment where he was:
and he lay with her; she consenting to it, being prevailed upon, and drawn into it through the greatness and goodness of the man, which might make the sin appear the lesser to her. This is recorded to show what the best of men are, when left to themselves; how strong and prevalent corrupt nature is in regenerate persons, when grace is not in exercise; what need the saints stand in of fresh supplies of grace, to keep them from falling; what caution is necessary to everyone that stands, lest he fall; and that it becomes us to abstain from all appearance of sin, and whatever leads unto it, and to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation; and such a record as this is an argument for the integrity of the Scriptures, that they conceal not the faults of the greatest favourites mentioned in them, as well as it serves to prevent despair in truly penitent backsliders:
for she was purified from her uncleanness; this clause is added in a parenthesis, partly to show the reason of her washing herself, which was not for health and pleasure, and to cool herself in a hot day, but to purify herself from her menstruous pollution, according to the law in Lev 15:19; the term of her separation being expired; and partly to give a reason why she the more easily consented, and he was the more eager to enjoy her; and in this he sinned, not that he did not lie with an unclean person; but, then, as some observe, he did that which was much worse, he committed adultery; also this may be added to observe, that she was the more apt for conception, as Ben Gersom notes, and to account for the quickness of it, with which the philosopher i agrees:
and she returned unto her house; whether that evening, or next morning, or how long she stayed, is not said.
Gill: 2Sa 11:5 - -- And the woman conceived,.... Whereby the sin would be discovered, and shame, and disgrace, or worse, would follow upon it:
and sent and told David,...
And the woman conceived,.... Whereby the sin would be discovered, and shame, and disgrace, or worse, would follow upon it:
and sent and told David, and said, I am with child; this message she sent to David, that he might think of some ways and means to prevent the scandal that would fall both upon him and her, and the danger she was exposed unto; fearing the outcries of the people against her, in acting so unfaithful a part to her husband, so brave a man, who was now fighting for his king and country; and the rage and jealousy of her husband when he should come to the knowledge of it, and the death which by the law she was guilty of, even to be stoned with stones, see Joh 8:5.
Gill: 2Sa 11:6 - -- And David sent to Joab,.... Who was with the army besieging Rabbah, which, according to Bunting k, was sixty four miles from Jerusalem:
saying, se...
And David sent to Joab,.... Who was with the army besieging Rabbah, which, according to Bunting k, was sixty four miles from Jerusalem:
saying, send me Uriah the Hittite; the scheme David had contrived in his mind was to get Uriah home to his wife for a few days, that it might be thought the child she had conceived was his, whereby the sin of David, and her own, might be concealed:
and Joab sent Uriah to David; not knowing his business, and besides it was his duty to obey his command.
Gill: 2Sa 11:7 - -- And when Uriah was come unto him,.... To David, to whom he came first, before he went to his own house, desirous of knowing what was the special busin...
And when Uriah was come unto him,.... To David, to whom he came first, before he went to his own house, desirous of knowing what was the special business of the king with him:
David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered; he asked of the welfare of Joab the general, and of the common soldiers, and of the warriors, as the Targum, the mighty men that went along with Joab, 2Sa 10:7. David seems to have been at a loss what to say to him. These questions were so mean and trivial, that it might justly give Uriah some suspicion that it could never he on this account, that he was sent for; since David could not want intelligence of such things, expresses being daily sending him.
Gill: 2Sa 11:8 - -- And David said to Uriah, go down to thy house, and wash thy feet,.... For his refreshment, and to prepare for bed, which was what he wanted to get him...
And David said to Uriah, go down to thy house, and wash thy feet,.... For his refreshment, and to prepare for bed, which was what he wanted to get him to:
and Uriah departed out of the king's house; in order as it might seem to the king to go to his own:
and there followed him a mess of meat from the king: no doubt a delicious dish, to eat with his wife before he went to bed, to excite him the more to desire the enjoyment of her this mess consisted, according to Abarbinel, of bread, wine, and flesh; and who also observes, after Ben Gersom, that the word may be interpreted of a torch to light him home to his house, being night.
Gill: 2Sa 11:9 - -- But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house, with all the servants of his lord,.... The bodyguards, which were placed there to watch the palace in...
But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house, with all the servants of his lord,.... The bodyguards, which were placed there to watch the palace in the night season; Uriah first fell into a conversation with these as is highly probable, to whom he was well known, and who might inquire of one and another of their friends in the army; and he being weary, laid himself down among there, and slept:
and went not down to his house; whether the trifling questions David asked him, or the information the guards might give him of his wife being sent for to court; made him suspect something, and so had no inclination to go to this own house; or however so it was ordered by the providence of God, which directed him to act in this manner, that the sin of David and Bathsheba they studied to hide might be discovered.
Gill: 2Sa 11:10 - -- And when they had told David,.... The next morning, either those that went with the mess of meat, or the guards with whom he slept all night:
sayin...
And when they had told David,.... The next morning, either those that went with the mess of meat, or the guards with whom he slept all night:
saying, Uriah went not down to his house; as the king had ordered him; which those persons being acquainted with, informed him of it, as an act of disobedience to him:
David said unto Uriah; having sent for him upon the above information:
camest thou not from thy journey? and which was a long one of sixty four miles, as before observed and therefore might well be weary, and want refreshment and rest, and his own house was the most proper place for it; for which reason David suggests he had sent him thither, and did not require nor need his service among his guards:
why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? which was the fittest place for him in such circumstances.
Gill: 2Sa 11:11 - -- And Uriah said unto David,.... As an apology for this conduct:
the ark, and Israel and Judah, abide in tents; meaning not the people of Israel and ...
And Uriah said unto David,.... As an apology for this conduct:
the ark, and Israel and Judah, abide in tents; meaning not the people of Israel and Judah in the land of Canaan; for they did not now dwell in tents, though indeed the ark of the Lord did, 2Sa 7:2, which some think is here referred to; but the armies of Israel and Judah besieging Rabbah, with whom it seems the ark was, which sometimes was carried with them when they went out to war, 1Sa 4:4, though Abarbinel thinks this was not the ark in which were the two tables of stone, and therefore is not called the ark of the covenant, but an ark which was made to put the ephod, and Urim and Thummim in that they might upon occasion inquire of the Lord by them:
and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields: around Rabbah they were besieging; he calls Joab his lord, because he was the chief general under whom he served and the rest of the commanding officers he calls the servants of his lord as distinguished from the common soldiers. The Jews, who are for excusing David from blame in the case of Uriah, observe l, that he was guilty of rebellion against David, and so worthy of death not only because he disobeyed his command, in not going to his house when he ordered him but by calling "Joab my lord" in his presence: but this was only a respectable character of his general and no overt act of treason to his king; nor did David so understand it, nor in the least resent it: now seeing such great men, who were far superior to him in rank and office were obliged to lie on the bare ground, he argues:
shall I then go into mine house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? if he had any suspicion of David's crime, he might purposely add the last clause; and if not, it was enough to awaken the conscience of David, and cut him to the quick had he not been greatly hardened through the deceitfulness of sin to observe, that a faithful subject and a soldier of his would not allow himself the enjoyment of lawful pleasures, when his fellow soldiers were exposing their lives to danger for their country; and yet he under such circumstances indulged to sinful lusts and criminal pleasures:
as thou livest and as thy soul liveth I will not do this thing; he swears to it for the confirmation of it; this he did to prevent any further solicitations from the king, or his wife unto it, who were both anxiously desirous of it; for though no mention is made of his wife, yet no doubt she did all she could to prevail upon him to come to his house but all to no purpose; his mind was so bent to the contrary through the overruling providence of God to which it must be ascribed.
Gill: 2Sa 11:12 - -- And David said to Uriah, tarry here today also,.... In his court, when he found he could not persuade him to go to his own house:
and tomorrow I wi...
And David said to Uriah, tarry here today also,.... In his court, when he found he could not persuade him to go to his own house:
and tomorrow I will let thee depart: after he had tried one method more with him:
so Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day and the morrow; not in his own house, but the king's palace.
Gill: 2Sa 11:13 - -- And when David had called him,.... Invited him to sup with him:
he did eat and drink before him; very freely and plentifully:
and he made him dr...
And when David had called him,.... Invited him to sup with him:
he did eat and drink before him; very freely and plentifully:
and he made him drunk: this was another sin of David's, done in order to make him forget his oath and vow, and that being inflamed with wine, desires might be excited in him to go home and lie with his wife; but even this scheme did not succeed:
and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord: in the guard room, where he had lain before:
but went not down to his house; for he was not so drunk but he remembered his oath, and kept his resolution not to go down to his own house; the Lord no doubt working upon his mind and disinclining him to it.
expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: 2Sa 11:1 For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
NET Notes: 2Sa 11:2 The disjunctive clause highlights this observation and builds the tension of the story.
NET Notes: 2Sa 11:3 Heb “he”; the referent (the messenger) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
NET Notes: 2Sa 11:4 The parenthetical disjunctive clause further heightens the tension by letting the reader know that Bathsheba, having just completed her menstrual cycl...
NET Notes: 2Sa 11:7 Heb “concerning the peace of Joab and concerning the peace of the people and concerning the peace of the battle.”
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was ( a ) expired, at the time when kings go forth [to battle], that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, a...
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his ( b ) bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw...
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 11:3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And [one] said, [Is] not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the ( c ) Hittite?
( c...
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 11:5 And the woman conceived, and sent and ( d ) told David, and said, I [am] with child.
( d ) Fearing lest she be stoned according to the law.
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 11:8 And David said to Uriah, ( e ) Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess [of ...
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 11:11 And Uriah said unto David, ( f ) The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the op...
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 11:13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him ( g ) drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servan...
expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 2Sa 11:1-27
TSK Synopsis: 2Sa 11:1-27 - --1 While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bath-sheba.6 Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, would not go home.14 He carries...
MHCC -> 2Sa 11:1-5; 2Sa 11:6-13
MHCC: 2Sa 11:1-5 - --Observe the occasions of David's sin; what led to it. 1. Neglect of his business. He tarried at Jerusalem. When we are out of the way of our duty, we ...
MHCC: 2Sa 11:6-13 - --Giving way to sin hardens the heart, and provokes the departure of the Holy Spirit. Robbing a man of his reason, is worse than robbing him of his mone...
Matthew Henry -> 2Sa 11:1-5; 2Sa 11:6-13
Matthew Henry: 2Sa 11:1-5 - -- Here is, I. David's glory, in pursuing the war against the Ammonites, 2Sa 11:1. We cannot take that pleasure in viewing this great action which hith...
Matthew Henry: 2Sa 11:6-13 - -- Uriah, we may suppose, had now been absent from his wife some weeks, making the campaign in the country of the Ammonites, and not intending to retur...
Keil-Delitzsch -> 2Sa 11:1; 2Sa 11:2-27
Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 11:1 - --
(Cf. 1Ch 20:1). Siege of Rabbah. - "And it came to pass at the return of the year, at the time when the kings marched out, that David sent Joab, an...
Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 11:2-27 - --
David's Adultery. - David's deep fall forms a turning-point not only in the inner life of the great king, but also in the history of his reign. Hith...
Constable: 2Sa 9:1--20:26 - --VI. DAVID'S TROUBLES chs. 9--20
Chapters 9-20 contrast with chapters 2-8 in that this later section is negative ...
Constable: 2Sa 10:1--12:31 - --B. God's Faithfulness despite David's Unfaithfulness chs. 10-12
These chapters form a sub-section within...
Constable: 2Sa 11:1--12:31 - --2. David's unfaithfulness to God chs. 11-12
These two chapters form a unit as is clear from thei...
Constable: 2Sa 11:1-5 - --David's adultery with Bathsheba 11:1-5
While Joab was continuing to subdue the Ammonites...
Constable: 2Sa 11:6-25 - --David's murder of Uriah 11:6-25
David compounded his sin by trying to cover it up rather...
Guzik -> 2Sa 11:1-27
Guzik: 2Sa 11:1-27 - --2 Samuel 11 - David's Adultery and Murder
"In the whole of the Old Testament literature there is no chapter more tragic or full of solemn and sea...
expand allIntroduction / Outline
JFB: 2 Samuel (Book Introduction) THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS OF SAMUEL. The two were, by the ancient Jews, conjoined so as to make one book, and in that form could be called the Book o...
JFB: 2 Samuel (Outline)
AN AMALEKITE BRINGS TIDINGS OF SAUL'S DEATH. (2Sa. 1:1-16)
DAVID LAMENTS SAUL AND JONATHAN. (2Sa 1:17-27)
DAVID, BY GOD'S DIRECTION, GOES UP TO HEBRO...
TSK: 2 Samuel 11 (Chapter Introduction) Overview
2Sa 11:1, While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bath-sheba; 2Sa 11:6, Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, w...
Poole: 2 Samuel 11 (Chapter Introduction) SAMUEL CHAPTER 11
Whilst Joab besieged Rabbah David committeth adultery with Bath-sheba, 2Sa 11:1-4 . And hearing that she was with child, he sendet...
MHCC: 2 Samuel (Book Introduction) This book is the history of the reign of king David. It relates his victories, the growth of the prosperity of Israel, and his reformation of the stat...
MHCC: 2 Samuel 11 (Chapter Introduction) (2Sa 11:1-5) David's adultery.
(2Sa 11:6-13) He tries to conceal his crime.
(2Sa 11:14-27) Uriah murdered.
Matthew Henry: 2 Samuel (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Second Book of Samuel
This book is the history of the reign of king David. We had in the foregoing ...
Matthew Henry: 2 Samuel 11 (Chapter Introduction) What David said of the mournful report of Saul's death may more fitly be applied to the sad story of this chapter, the adultery and murder David wa...
Constable: 2 Samuel (Book Introduction) Introduction
Second Samuel continues the history begun in 1 Samuel. Please see my comments regarding 2 Samuel's title, d...
Constable: 2 Samuel (Outline) Outline
(Continued from notes on 1 Samuel)
V. David's triumphs chs. 1-8
...
Constable: 2 Samuel 2 Samuel
Bibliography
Achtemeier, Paul J., and Elizabeth Achtemeier. The Old Testament Roots of Our Faith. Phil...
Haydock: 2 Samuel (Book Introduction) THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL;
otherwise called,
THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS.
INTRODUCTION.
This Book contains the transactions of David till the end ...
Gill: 2 Samuel (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 2 SAMUEL
This book, in many copies of the Hebrew Bible, is carried on without any new title put unto it; the reason of it is, becau...
Gill: 2 Samuel 11 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 11
This chapter begins with the destruction of the Ammonites, and the siege of Rabbah their chief city, 2Sa 11:1; and...
