2 Samuel 11:1-12:15 NIV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1

THE BAD DAYS OF DAVID'S REIGN(2 Samuel 11-20)These chapters relate David's sins and God's punishment of them. Willis classified the events of these chapters as follows:(1)"David's adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah followed by God's judgment against David (2 Samuel 11-12);(2) the rape of Tamar by Amnon and his murder by Absalom (2 Samuel 13);(3) the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 14-19); and(4) the rebellion of Sheba."[1]THE FALL OF THE MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEARTUp until this chapter,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1

2 Samuel 11:1. At the time when kings go forth to battle— The author of the Observations remarks justly, that this passage seems to suppose, that there was one particular time of the year, in this country, to which the operations of war were limited. So Sir John Chardin, speaking of the Basha of Basra, who endeavoured in his time to erect himself into an independent sovereign, tells us, that, perceiving in the spring, that the Turkish army were prepared to thunder upon him the next September or... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1

1. at the time when kings go forth to battle—The return of spring was the usual time of commencing military operations. This expedition took place the year following the war against the Syrians; and it was entered upon because the disaster of the former campaign having fallen chiefly upon the Syrian mercenaries, the Ammonites had not been punished for their insult to the ambassadors. David sent Joab and his servants . . . they destroyed the children of Ammon—The powerful army that Joab... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 11:1-5

David’s adultery with Bathsheba 11:1-5While Joab was continuing to subdue the Ammonites the following spring by besieging Rabbah ("the great one," modern Amman, the capital of Jordan; cf. 2 Samuel 10:7), David was residing in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 11:1). By mentioning the fact that normally kings led their armies into battle in the spring, the writer implied that David was not acting responsibly by staying in Jerusalem (cf. 1 Samuel 14:1-2).". . . leading his troops into battle was expected to be... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1-27

David and BathshebaThis narrative is of the greatest value. It shows the faithfulness and the high morality of the historian, who relates, without a single attempt at palliation, this scandalous chapter in the great king’s history. Further, the position of the prophet, even in these early days, as the ’conscience’ of the individual or the nation, is clearly described. What Nathan is to David, Elijah (with equal courage) is to Ahab. In other nations, even in much later times, such an act if... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 11:1

XI.(1) After the year was expired.—Literally, as in margin, at the return of the year. This refers back to 2 Samuel 10:14. Joab had spent the winter or rainy season at Jerusalem; now he returns to Ammon. David had evidently hurried his campaign against Hadarezer to prevent the junction of his foes, and Joab had probably been sent at first with only a small force to hold the Ammonites in check. With the speedy and successful close of David’s own operations, he returned to Jerusalem, while the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:1-27

CHAPTER XIV.DAVID AND URIAH.2 Samuel 11:1-27.HOW ardently would most, if not all readers, of the life of David have wished that it had ended before this chapter! Its golden era has passed away, and what remains is little else than a chequered tale of crime and punishment. On former occasions, under the influence of strong and long-continued temptations, we have seen his faith give way and a spirit of dissimulation appear; but these were like spots on the sun, not greatly obscuring his general... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1-27

III. DAVID’S SIN, CHASTISEMENT AND RESTORATION 1. David’s Great Sin CHAPTER 11 1. David’s great sin (2 Samuel 11:1-5 ) 2. David sends for Uriah (2 Samuel 11:6-13 ) 3. The murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11:14-25 ) 4. David makes Bath-sheba his wife (2 Samuel 11:26-27 ) We see the king once more in his house. He sent Joab, his servants and all Israel to battle again against Ammon. Was it not his business as king to go forth with Israel as he had done before? Instead he remains in ease and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1

11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was {a} expired, at the time when kings go forth [to battle], that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.(a) The year following about the spring time. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1-27

The account with Ammon had by no means been settled, and in the Spring David sent Joab and the armies of Israel to battle the Ammonites and to besiege their capital city, of Rabbah. We are told specifically that this was the time when kings go out to battle, but David remained at home. lt is possible his servants advised this so that their king would not be exposed to danger (ch.18:3), but David's energy of faith had waned so that he was exposed to greater danger by remaining at home. Evident... read more