David and Bathsheba

Click here to read II Samuel 11.

Chapter 11 records the account of David and Bathsheba. In the spring of 991 BC, "The time when kings go forth to battle", David sent Joab and his army to further destroy the Ammonites. The previous year, (Chapter 10), He defeated the Syrians and made the Ammonites retreat into their city, now he sends his troops to lay waste to the countryside.

In the past, David always went with his troops but this time he did not go, thus, making him a target for the work of Satan, and so it was, David was tempted.

Notice what preceded and caused David to be tempted:

  1. Neglect of business. He should have been leading the army, fighting the battles for the Lord, but instead, he stayed home.
  2. He became lazy, a lover of ease. "Late one evening, he arose from his couch where he had been napping..."
  3. He had a wandering eye. He walked out onto the roof terrace of the palace and saw a woman washing herself. Her name was Bathsheba. (Daughter of the Sabbath)

Notice the steps that sin takes:

  1. He saw her and immediately lusted after her.
  2. He didn't turn and forget the incident, he inquired about her.
  3. He sent for her, even though he knew that she was married to Uriah, a Hittite soldier.
  4. He may have intended just to have conversation but.... he lay with her. Well...it certainly was her fault. Taking a bath out in the open and surly David wouldn't have done anything without her consent. Matthew Henry in his commentary says, "She consented because he was a great man. Surly the man of God could not commit a sin. David was in his "dangerous 50s, often known as the age of stupidity, for men, but he should have known better. He had many wives and concubines; he surly didn't need one more.

Well, Bathsheba became pregnant. She sent word to David and David devised a plan. He sent word to Joab to have Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, sent home. But Uriah wouldn't go home. He stayed the night at the gate of the Palace with the other servants. David was angry, but Uriah wouldn't go home. He would not enjoy the comforts of home while the other men were out in the field. David even tried getting him drunk, but that didn't work, so David sent him back to the battle with a note to Joab, "Assign Uriah to a spot close to the enemies best troops," and Uriah was killed along with several other Israeli troops.

Word was sent back to David of Uriah's death, "The enemy came out against us and we tried to chase them back into the city but the men on the wall attacked us and some of our men were killed." David sent word back to Joab, "Do not be discouraged, you are doing well."

When Bathsheba heard of her husband's death, she mourned for him. When the period of mourning was over, David brought her to the Palace and made her one of his wives. She bore him a son, but the Lord was displeased with what David had done.


Previous Chapter
Return to Outline
Ask Questions
Next Chapter