Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 11

Introduction

Overview

2 Samuel 11:1, While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bath-sheba; 2 Samuel 11:6, Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, would not go home; 2 Samuel 11:14, He carries to Joab the letter of his death; 2 Samuel 11:18, Joab sends the news thereof to David; 2 Samuel 11:26, David takes Bath-sheba to wife.

Verse 1

am 2969, bc 1035, An, Ex, Is, 456

after the year: etc. Heb. at the return of the year. 1 Kings 20:22, 1 Kings 20:26, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Ecclesiastes 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.

David sent: 1 Chronicles 20:1, Zechariah 14:3

Rabbah: 2 Samuel 12:26, Deuteronomy 3:11, 1 Chronicles 20:1, Ezekiel 21:20

Reciprocal: Joshua 13:25 - Rabbah 1 Samuel 18:30 - went forth 2 Samuel 12:27 - Rabbah Psalms 60:9 - strong city Jeremiah 49:2 - her daughters

Verse 2

arose from: 2 Samuel 4:5, 2 Samuel 4:7, Proverbs 19:15, Proverbs 24:33, Proverbs 24:34, Matthew 26:40, Matthew 26:41, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:7, 1 Peter 4:7

the roof of: Deuteronomy 22:8, Jeremiah 19:13, Matthew 10:27, Acts 10:9

he saw: Genesis 3:6, Genesis 6:2, Genesis 34:2, Job 31:1, Psalms 119:37, Matthew 5:28, 1 John 2:16

very beautiful: Genesis 39:6, Proverbs 6:25, Proverbs 31:30

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:11 - a fair Genesis 38:2 - saw Exodus 20:17 - wife Joshua 2:6 - to the roof Joshua 7:21 - I saw Judges 14:1 - Timnath Judges 16:27 - the roof 1 Samuel 9:25 - the top 2 Samuel 13:1 - a fair sister 2 Samuel 16:22 - the top Nehemiah 8:16 - the roof Job 20:14 - his meat Psalms 51:1 - after Psalms 101:3 - set Psalms 119:67 - Before Psalms 139:3 - my path Proverbs 7:8 - General Proverbs 23:31 - General Ecclesiastes 11:9 - in the sight Jeremiah 5:8 - every one Ezekiel 23:16 - as soon as she saw them with her eyes Luke 5:19 - housetop Romans 7:7 - Thou shalt Galatians 6:1 - overtaken James 1:14 - when 2 Peter 2:14 - eyes

Verse 3

sent: Jeremiah 5:8, Hosea 7:6, Hosea 7:7, James 1:14, James 1:15

Bathsheba: or, Bath-shua

Eliam: or, Ammiel, 1 Chronicles 3:5

Uriah: 2 Samuel 23:39, 1 Chronicles 11:41

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:15 - Heth Leviticus 18:20 - General 2 Samuel 12:3 - one little 2 Samuel 12:4 - took the 2 Samuel 23:34 - Eliam Psalms 101:3 - set Proverbs 6:29 - he that Proverbs 7:8 - General Matthew 1:6 - her

Verse 4

sent messengers: Genesis 39:7, Job 31:9-11, Psalms 50:18

he lay: Psalms 51:1, *title James 1:14, James 1:15

she was: etc. or, and when she had purified herself, etc. she returned. Proverbs 30:20

purified: Leviticus 12:2-5, Leviticus 15:19-28, Leviticus 15:29-33, Leviticus 18:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:14 - General Leviticus 18:20 - General 2 Samuel 12:4 - took the 2 Samuel 12:9 - despised 2 Samuel 12:12 - secretly 1 Kings 15:5 - save only 2 Chronicles 16:10 - the same time Job 24:15 - eye Proverbs 6:29 - he that

Verse 5

I am with child: Deuteronomy 22:22, Proverbs 6:34

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:14 - General

Verse 6

Send me: Genesis 4:7, Genesis 38:18-23, 1 Samuel 15:30, Job 20:12-14, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 26:70, Matthew 26:72, Matthew 26:74

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:21 - they are hid 1 Samuel 26:6 - Hittite 2 Samuel 20:22 - And Joab 2 Samuel 23:39 - Uriah 1 Chronicles 1:13 - Heth 1 Chronicles 11:41 - Uriah

Verse 7

how Joab did: Heb. of the peace of Joab, Genesis 29:6, Genesis 37:14, 1 Samuel 17:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:7 - welfare

Verse 8

go down: Psalms 44:21, Isaiah 29:15, Luke 12:2, Hebrews 4:13

wash: Genesis 18:4, Genesis 19:2

there followed him: Heb. there went out after him, Psalms 12:2, Psalms 55:21

a mess: Genesis 43:34

Reciprocal: Judges 19:21 - they washed 2 Samuel 12:12 - secretly 2 Samuel 13:24 - let the king Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth

Verse 9

Job 5:12-14, Proverbs 21:30

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 11:13 - with the servants

Verse 10

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:1 - unto David

Verse 11

The ark: 2 Samuel 7:2, 2 Samuel 7:6, 1 Samuel 4:4, 1 Samuel 14:18

my lord: 2 Samuel 20:6, Matthew 10:24, Matthew 10:25, John 13:14, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:4, 2 Timothy 2:12, Hebrews 12:1, Hebrews 12:2

shall I then: Isaiah 22:12-14

as thou livest: 2 Samuel 14:19, 1 Samuel 1:26, 1 Samuel 17:55, 1 Samuel 20:3, 1 Samuel 25:26

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments Numbers 32:6 - shall ye sit here 1 Samuel 17:8 - servants to Saul

Verse 12

Jeremiah 2:22, Jeremiah 2:23, Jeremiah 2:37

Verse 13

made him: Genesis 19:32-35, Exodus 32:21, Habakkuk 2:15

with the servants: 2 Samuel 11:9

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:12 - secretly 2 Samuel 13:26 - let my brother 2 Samuel 13:28 - heart is merry Proverbs 20:1 - General

Verse 14

wrote a letter: It was resolved in David's breast that Uriah must die - that innocent, valiant, and gallant man, who was ready to sacrifice his life for the honour of his prince; and, worse than all, by being himself made the bearer of letters to Joab which prescribed the mode by which he was to be murdered. This was the greatest treachery and villany on the part of David; while Joab appears to enter as fully upon the execution of the murder, being perhaps pleased to have this opportunity of further enthralling his king, and thus increasing his own power. 1 Kings 21:8-10, Psalms 19:13, Psalms 52:2, Psalms 62:9, Jeremiah 9:1-4, Jeremiah 17:9, Micah 7:3-5

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:27 - let not 2 Samuel 12:9 - despised 2 Samuel 14:19 - of Joab 1 Kings 21:14 - Naboth is stoned Job 24:14 - murderer

Verse 15

Set ye: 2 Samuel 11:17, 1 Samuel 18:17, 1 Samuel 18:21, 1 Samuel 18:25, Psalms 51:4, Psalms 51:14, Jeremiah 20:13

hottest: Heb. strong

from him: Heb. from after him

and die: 2 Samuel 12:9

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 27:24 - General 2 Samuel 12:12 - secretly 2 Samuel 13:28 - commanded 2 Samuel 14:19 - of Joab 2 Samuel 16:7 - bloody man 1 Kings 15:5 - save only 1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote 1 Chronicles 21:6 - Joab

Verse 16

he assigned: 2 Samuel 11:21, 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 20:9, 2 Samuel 20:10, 1 Samuel 22:17-19, 1 Kings 2:5, 1 Kings 2:31-34, 1 Kings 21:12-14, 2 Kings 10:6, Proverbs 29:12, Hosea 5:11, Acts 5:29

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 20:1 - Joab smote

Verse 17

there fell: 2 Samuel 12:9, Psalms 51:14

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 11:15 - Set ye

Verse 18

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 10:8 - there came

Verse 21

Abimelech: Judges 9:53

Jerubbesheth: Judges 6:32, Judges 7:1, Jerubbaal

Thy servant: 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 3:34, Psalms 39:8, Isaiah 14:10, Ezekiel 16:51, Ezekiel 16:52

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 26:6 - Hittite 2 Samuel 11:16 - he assigned

Verse 24

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:30 - have shot 1 Samuel 26:6 - Hittite

Verse 25

displease thee: Heb. be evil in thine eyes

for the sword: Joshua 7:8, Joshua 7:9, 1 Samuel 6:9, Ecclesiastes 9:1-3, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Ecclesiastes 9:12

one: Heb. so and such, What abominable hypocrisy was here! He well knew that the death of this noble and gallant man was no chance-medley: he was by his own order thrust on the sword.

make: 2 Samuel 12:26

Reciprocal: Judges 20:22 - encouraged 2 Samuel 2:26 - sword 2 Samuel 12:1 - unto David 2 Samuel 14:14 - we must 1 Kings 21:16 - Ahab rose up

Verse 26

she mourned: 2 Samuel 3:31, 2 Samuel 14:2, Genesis 27:41

Reciprocal: Matthew 1:6 - her

Verse 27

And when: etc. The whole of her conduct indicates that she observed the form, without feeling the power of sorrow. She lost a captain, and got a king for her husband, and therefore, Lacrymas non sponte cadentes effudit; gemitusque expressit pectore laeto; "She shed reluctant tears; and forced out groans from a joyful breast!"

fetched her: 2 Samuel 3:2-5, 2 Samuel 5:13-16, 2 Samuel 12:9, Deuteronomy 22:29

But the thing: Genesis 38:10, 1 Chronicles 21:7

displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of, Psalms 5:6, Psalms 51:4, Psalms 51:5, Hebrews 13:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 39:9 - how then Exodus 20:14 - General Leviticus 18:20 - General Numbers 11:1 - it displeased the Lord Numbers 12:2 - And the 1 Kings 11:9 - angry Psalms 32:3 - When Psalms 139:3 - my path Ecclesiastes 4:10 - if Isaiah 59:15 - displeased him Lamentations 3:36 - the Lord Matthew 1:6 - her