2 Samuel 11:2-4

2 Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on ¹the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.

3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is this not ²Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of ³Uriah the Hittite?"

4 David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, ⁴he lay with her; ⁵and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house.

2 Samuel 11:2-4 Meaning and Commentary

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 enlarges on the sins of David in committing adultery with Bathsheba, 2Sa 11:2-5; in contriving to conceal his sin by sending for her husband home from the army, 2Sa 11:6-13; in laying a scheme for the death of him by the hand of the Ammonites, 2Sa 11:14-25; and in marrying Bathsheba when he was dead, 2Sa 11:26,27.

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 22:8; 1 Samuel 9:25; Matthew 24:17; Acts 10:9
• 2. 1 Chronicles 3:5
• 3. 2 Samuel 23:39
• 4. Ps 51: title; James 1:14, 15
• 5. Leviticus 12:2-5; Leviticus 15:18-28; Leviticus 18:19