2 Samuel 11:5-6. The woman conceived, and sent and told David She was afraid of infamy, and perhaps of the severity of her husband, who might cause her to be stoned. And therefore she prays David to consult her honour and safety. Send me Uriah the Hittite It is likely David ordered an account of the state of the war to be sent by him, as a colour for having sent for him home. read more
2 Samuel 11:8-9. David said, Go down to thy house Not doubting but he would there converse with his wife, and so hide their sin and shame. There followed him a mess of meat from the king In token of David’s peculiar favour and kindness to him; and that, eating freely of good cheer, he might be the more desirous of enjoying the company of his wife. But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house Like a true soldier, he lay all night in the guard-chamber, and did not go home to his wife.... read more
2 Samuel 11:10. David said, Camest thou not from thy journey? Wearied with hard service and travel; nor did I expect or desire that thou shouldest now attend upon my person: or keep watch among my guards. He still artfully pretends kindness to him, and great care of him. read more
2 Samuel 11:11. The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents It appears by this that the custom which we read of, 1 Samuel 4:4, of carrying the ark with them into the field, was still continued. It was done, no doubt, both for the encouragement of the army, who were taught to consider it as a token of the divine presence with them, and favour to them, and also for their direction, that they might consult God in any difficult case. My lord Joab and the servants of my lord are in the open... read more
2 Samuel 11:12-13. Tarry here to-day He pretended still more kindness to him in giving him time to rest himself after his journey; and perhaps pretended also that he could not sooner finish the despatches which he intended to send by him to Joab. When David had called him in Invited him to supper the night before he went away. And he made him drunk He made him merry, as the Hebrew word often signifies. He caused him to drink more than was proper. What mean and shameful contrivances... read more
2 Samuel 11:15. Retire ye from him, that he may be smitten and die Thus swift is the progress of vice! thus does it lead from bad to worse! thus does it corrupt man’s whole nature, and bring him to such degeneracy as he could not before have thought himself capable of! So far is David from repenting, that he seeks to cover one scandalous and wicked action by another still more scandalous and wicked; to conceal the great crime of adultery by the still greater crime of murder! How are the... read more
2 Samuel 11:16-17. Where he knew that valiant men were He ordered him, with others, to attack a part of the city which he knew would be valiantly defended; or out of which he knew the best men they had in the city would issue forth against them. Joab also was herein very guilty in complying with David’s wicked command; unless he supposed that Uriah had committed some great crime, for which David consulting his honour, chose to punish him in this manner, rather than openly. The men of the... read more
2 Samuel 11:25. Let not this thing displease thee Be not disheartened by this loss. David showed no sign of grief or displeasure at these tidings, as he heard the news, which he desired, of Uriah’s death. The sword devoureth one as well as another Makes no distinction between good and bad. Make thy battle more strong, &c. Assault the city with greater force, till thou art made master of it. And encourage thou him Joab and his soldiery. read more
2 Samuel 11:27. When the mourning was past Which commonly continued only the space of seven days, 1 Samuel 31:13; nor could the nature of the thing admit of longer delay, lest the too early birth of the child should discover David’s sin. Bare a son By which it appears that David continued in the state of impenitence for divers months together, and this notwithstanding his frequent attendance upon God’s ordinances which is an eminent instance of the corruption of man’s nature, of the... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 11:4
2 Samuel 11:4 . David sent messengers and took her From her own house into his palace, not by force, but by persuasion. And he lay with her See how all the way to sin is down hill! When men begin they cannot soon stop themselves. And she returned unto her house With a guilty conscience, and oppressed with terror, no doubt; for she had committed a sin for which the law condemned her to be stoned. She returned, it is probable, early in the morning, to prevent discovery. But how little did... read more