2 Samuel Chapter 11 — David and Bathsheba
King David commits adultery with Bathsheba and, after failing to cover up her pregnancy, arranges for her husband Uriah to be killed in battle.
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Notable Verses
2 Samuel 11:1
“At the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.”
This verse sets the stage for the chapter by highlighting David's unusual decision to stay behind while his army went to war.
2 Samuel 11:11
“Uriah said to David, “The ark, Israel, and Judah, are staying in tents; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open field. Shall I then go into my house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing!””
Uriah’s words emphasize his integrity and loyalty, providing a sharp contrast to David’s deceptive actions.
2 Samuel 11:27
“When the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.”
This concluding sentence indicates that while David’s plan succeeded humanly, it did not escape divine judgment.
Chapter Summary
In 2 Samuel 11, the narrative describes a pivotal moral failure in the life of King David. While the Israelite army, led by Joab, is away besieging the city of Rabbah, David remains in Jerusalem. One evening, David sees a woman named Bathsheba bathing and sends for her, despite learning she is the wife of Uriah the Hittite. After committing adultery, Bathsheba informs David that she is pregnant. David attempts to cover his actions by recalling Uriah from the front lines, hoping he will return home to his wife. However, Uriah's steadfast devotion to his fellow soldiers prevents him from seeking personal comfort. Realizing his plan has failed, David sends a letter to Joab instructing him to place Uriah in the most dangerous part of the battle and then retreat. Uriah is killed in the conflict. After Bathsheba finishes her period of mourning, David takes her as his wife, and she bears a son. The chapter ends with the solemn observation that David's actions were displeasing to the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text does not give a specific reason why David stayed behind, but it notes that it was the time when kings normally went out to battle. His decision to remain in the city provided the opportunity for the events involving Bathsheba to unfold.
David initially brought Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, back from the war, hoping he would go home to his wife so the pregnancy would appear to be his. When Uriah's sense of duty prevented this, David arranged for Uriah to be killed on the battlefield.
Uriah was a loyal soldier in King David's army and the husband of Bathsheba. He is depicted as a man of great character who refused to enjoy the comforts of his home while his commander and fellow soldiers were still in the field.
Study Note
The phrase 'at the time when kings go out' serves as a literary critique, suggesting that David's absence from his royal duties was a precursor to his moral lapse.
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