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2 Samuel 11 The Triumphs and Troubles of David

1 David and Bathsheba
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,

3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home.

5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

6 So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David.

7 When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going.

8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him.

9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.

10 When David was told, “Uriah did not go home,” he asked him, “Haven’t you just come from a distance? Why didn’t you go home?”

11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”

12 Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.

13 At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home.

14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.

15 In it he wrote, “Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”

16 So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were.

17 When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.

18 Joab sent David a full account of the battle.

19 He instructed the messenger: “When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle,

20 the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall?

21 Who killed Abimelech son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then say to him, ‘Also, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’”

22 The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say.

23 The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance to the city gate.

24 Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.”

25 David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.”

26 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him.

27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

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Analysis of 2 Samuel Chapter 11

2 Samuel Chapter 11 is one of the most critical and morally complex chapters in the Bible, recounting King David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. This chapter explores themes of power, sin, repentance, and divine justice, providing a profound narrative that challenges and instructs readers. Below is a detailed and insightful analysis of this significant chapter.

Verses 1-5: The Sin of David

The chapter begins with an interesting note concerning the time and setting:

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 11:1)

David’s decision to stay in Jerusalem rather than lead his army into battle, as was customary for kings, is the first indication of trouble. This seemingly small choice sets the stage for the ensuing events. This verse emphasizes the importance of leadership responsibilities and implies that David’s deviation from his kingly duties opens the door to temptation.

“One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness. Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, ‘I am pregnant.'” (2 Samuel 11:2-5)

David’s moral descent begins with a “look.” What initially appears to be a curious glance soon develops into a sinful desire. It is crucial to note that Bathsheba’s identity as the wife of Uriah is known to David before he sends for her. This adds weight to his moral failure. The text highlights David’s misuse of his kingly power to satisfy personal desire. Bathsheba’s subsequent pregnancy represents a complicating consequence of his actions, pushing David further into sin as he seeks to conceal his wrongdoing.

Verses 6-13: The Deception

Upon learning of Bathsheba’s pregnancy, David devises a plan to cover up his sin by recalling Uriah from the battlefield:

“So David sent this word to Joab: ‘Send me Uriah the Hittite.’ And Joab sent him to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. Then David said to Uriah, ‘Go down to your house and wash your feet.’ So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him.” (2 Samuel 11:6-8)

By sending Uriah home, David hopes that Uriah will sleep with his wife, thus legitimizing the child. However, Uriah’s integrity as a soldier demonstrates a stark contrast to David’s failing moral compass. Uriah refuses to enjoy the comforts of home while his comrades are still on the battlefield:

“But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.” (2 Samuel 11:9)

This act of loyalty and solidarity highlights Uriah’s righteousness and further condemns David’s behavior. Even when David tries again, with wine and feasting, Uriah maintains his steadfastness:

“David’s plan to entice Uriah to comfort himself at home fails, resulting in a stark illustration of Uriah’s loyalty versus David’s deceit and moral failure.” (2 Samuel 11:12-13)

Verses 14-17: The Murder of Uriah

Realizing that his initial plan has failed, David resorts to a more sinister approach:

“In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it, he wrote, ‘Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.’ So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.” (2 Samuel 11:14-17)

David’s manipulation now extends to murder, evidencing the deepening spiral of sin. Ironically, the valiant Uriah carries his own death warrant. The instruction to abandon Uriah at the front lines is a calculated ploy that also entangles Joab in David’s web of sin. This act demonstrates the extensive reach and destructive potential of unchecked power and sin.

Verses 18-27: The Aftermath

“Joab sent David a full account of the battle. He instructed the messenger: ‘When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, “Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?” If he asks you this, then say to him, “Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.”‘ The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say. The messenger said to David, ‘The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance of the city gate. Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’ David told the messenger, ‘Say this to Joab: “Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.” Say this to encourage Joab.'” (2 Samuel 11:18-25)

Joab’s careful handling of the news to David reflects the underlying awareness of the unethical deed. However, David’s response is chilling in its indifference. His directive, “Do not let this upset you,” starkly contrasts with the gravity of the situation, displaying a cold rationalization of violence and deceit.

“When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” (2 Samuel 11:26-27)

Bathsheba’s mourning period marks a moment of genuine grief, underscoring the personal toll of David’s actions. David’s subsequent marriage to Bathsheba seems like an attempt to legitimize the situation, but the text bluntly concludes with a divine judgment. “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” This statement serves as a sobering reminder that actions, particularly those involving deception and abuse of power, do not escape the scrutiny of divine justice.

Conclusion: Themes and Lessons

2 Samuel Chapter 11 offers a comprehensive exploration of themes relevant to both ancient and contemporary readers:

  • The Nature of Sin: This chapter presents a cascading series of events, where one sin leads to another. David’s initial act of adultery spirals into deceit and ultimately murder, illustrating the progressive nature of sin.
  • Abuse of Power: David’s misuse of his kingly authority to satisfy personal desires highlights the dangers of unchecked power. His actions contrast sharply with Uriah’s loyalty and integrity.
  • Divine Justice: The closing verse indicating divine displeasure serves as a potent reminder that God’s justice prevails over human actions. It also sets the stage for the subsequent events where David faces the consequences of his actions.
  • Repentance and Redemption: While Chapter 11 focuses on David’s fall, it must be read in the broader narrative where David’s sincere repentance (as depicted in Psalm 51) and God’s forgiveness are integral to understanding the arc of his story.

In summary, 2 Samuel Chapter 11 is a profound narrative that addresses human vulnerability, the peril of misusing power, and the overarching theme of divine justice. It serves as a powerful reminder of the moral complexities faced by individuals and the importance of adhering to ethical principles, regardless of one’s status or power.