2 Samuel 11

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 11 of 24

1 And it happened at the turn of the year, at the time when messengers go out, David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they destroyed the sons of Ammon, and lay siege to Rabbah. But David abode at Jerusalem.

2 And it happened at evening time, David rose up from his bed and walked up and down on the roof of the king's house. And he saw from the roof a woman bathing. And the woman was very good of form.

3 And David sent and asked about the woman. And one said, Is this not Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

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Chapter Summary

While Joab besieged Rabbah, David committed adultery with Bath-sheba. Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, would not go home. He carries to Joab the letter of his death. Joab sends news to David. David weds Bath-sheba.

Key Hebrew Words

שָׁכַב to lie with H7901 · TWOT 2381
הָרָה to conceive H2029 · TWOT 515
סֵ֫פֶר letter, writing H5612 · TWOT 1540b
מִלְחָמָה battle, war H4421 · TWOT 1104c
רָעַע to be evil, displeasing H7489 · TWOT 2192
קָדַשׁ purify oneself H6942 · TWOT 1990

People & Context

David

Israel's king who stays in Jerusalem, takes Bath-sheba, and engineers Uriah's death; his deed is evil before Jehovah.

Uriah

The Hittite, Bath-sheba's loyal husband, who refuses comfort while the army camps and is set to die in battle.

Bath-sheba

Daughter of Eliam, Uriah's wife; David sees her bathing, lies with her, and she conceives.

Joab

David's commander besieging Rabbah, who carries out the order to place Uriah in the deadliest fighting.

Jehovah

The covenant God in whose eyes the thing David had done was evil.

Timeline

Joab Besieges Rabbah

David sends Joab and all Israel to destroy the sons of Ammon and lay siege to Rabbah, while David remains in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 11:1
David and Bath-sheba

David sees Bath-sheba bathing from his roof, inquires about her, has her brought to him, and lies with her.

2 Samuel 11:2-4
Bath-sheba Conceives

Bath-sheba becomes pregnant and sends a message to tell David.

2 Samuel 11:5

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