2 Samuel 11

11:1-27 David’s affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah show that David was capable of great failure and cast a dark shadow over David’s life and career. These failures came during a time of great military success against the Ammonites (10:1–11:1; 12:26-31).11:1 In the spring of the year, the land began to dry out after the heavy winter rains. Kings avoided war during the rainy season. • David stayed behind either because he was irresponsible in carrying out his royal duties or because he trusted Joab to efficiently handle the Ammonite problem (cp. 10:7). This is the first mention of a leader of Israel staying off the battlefield in a time of war.

11:2 walking on the roof: The roofs of houses were flat and were regularly used for a variety of purposes, such as drying and storing produce (Josh 2:6), strolling and socializing, and sleeping in warm weather. • Bathsheba was taking a bath in plain view of the roof of the king’s palace, but perhaps she assumed everyone would be inside, seeking refuge from the heat or having a midday rest.

11:3 Bathsheba means “daughter of seven” or “daughter of oath.” Her father Eliam was the son of Ahithophel (see 23:34), an adviser sought by David and then by Absalom (15:12; 16:23). Much to David’s chagrin (15:31), Ahithophel later shifted his allegiance from David to Absalom (17:1-4, 14) and advised Absalom to sleep with David’s concubines on a rooftop, in open view (16:20-22). • Uriah is a Hebrew name (meaning “Yahweh [is] my light”); either he was a foreign mercenary, a convert to Israelite religion, or an Israelite of Hittite heritage. Uriah might also have been a member of the non-Israelite aristocracy in Jerusalem that predated David’s conquest of the city. He was one of the Thirty—David’s mightiest warriors (23:39).

11:4 It is not clear whether Bathsheba came to David’s palace voluntarily. That no protestations are recorded (cp. 13:12-13) and that she married David, bore him another child, and persuaded him to designate their child as heir (1 Kgs 1:11-21) suggest that she might have been a willing partner. However, Bathsheba mourned for her husband (2 Sam 11:26-27), and only David was condemned for this act (11:27), so she might have been violated against her will. • The phrase after having her menstrual period (see Lev 15:19-24) is included to show that the child Bathsheba conceived could not possibly have been Uriah’s.

11:8 and relax: David assumed that Uriah would have sex with Bathsheba while on this weekend pass. Then everyone except Bathsheba would assume that the child was Uriah’s, conceived on this night. • a gift: David might not have even cared whether the husband and wife were intimate. Uriah’s return to his house would stifle any rumors as to how and when Bathsheba became pregnant.

11:11 in tents (Hebrew, sukkoth, the name behind Sukkot, “the Festival of Shelters,” Deut 16:13-17): These were temporary structures made of branches and foliage used by soldiers in the field, herdsmen protecting their cattle, or grape harvesters in the vineyard. • wine and dine and sleep with my wife? Uriah was willing to wine and dine with David (2 Sam 11:13), so it was not sharing the table with Bathsheba that Uriah wished to avoid but sharing the marriage bed. The Israelites considered the war camp a holy place because God was present to fight for his people. Thus, soldiers on duty avoided anything that caused impurity, such as sexual intercourse (Lev 15:18; see also 1 Sam 21:5-6).

11:16-17 Uriah was not the only casualty: David sacrificed several other Israelite soldiers while attempting to hide his sin.

11:21 Wasn’t Abimelech . . . killed . . . by a woman: Cp. Judg 9:54.

11:25 The sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow! David’s callous attitude toward the unnecessary deaths he caused is chilling.