He made him drunk. David thus adds sin to sin, and, in order to accomplish his vile end, he degrades the brave soldier whom already he had dishonoured. But even when intoxicated Uriah kept to his determination; and though on this second night there would not be the same pleasure in chatting with old comrades seen again after long absence, he still sleeps in the guard room. And thus there were witnesses that he had not gone to his house. read more
David wrote a letter. David now uses the knowledge he had acquired in the schools of the prophets for vicious purposes. For it to be a blessing, knowledge must be sanctified to holy use. The letter would conceal from Joab the truth, and only let him know that Uriah, during his visit to Jerusalem, had incurred the king's serious displeasure; and we may be quite sure that Joab would be very indignant when he learned, as he certainly soon would, that David had made him his tool, and caused him... read more
When Joab observed the city; Revised Version, kept watch upon the city. This does net mean, as some suppose, that Joab sent a body of men to examine the fortifications with a view to an assault, and so provoked a sally. The verb simply refers to the ordinary operations of a siege, which usually resolved itself into a long blockade, continued until starvation compelled a surrender; and to hasten this the people of the villages were forced into the town, by the rule that all left outside... read more
( RABBAH .) Complicity in sin. Here are three men: David, a great but sinful king, bent on the destruction of a faithful servant; Uriah, a brave but injured soldier, sent unconsciously to his doom; and Joab, an able but unscrupulous general ( 2 Samuel 3:22-30 ), become a willing agent and ready accomplice in his execution "with the sword of the children of Ammon" ( 2 Samuel 12:9 ). 1 . There is seldom wanting a suitable accomplice in effecting a sinful purpose, however... read more
Then Joab sent. Joab now performs another act in this iniquitous drama, and goes through the form of sending the king a report of the disaster which had followed upon his approaching too near the walls. With well-feigned hypocrisy, he makes the messenger believe that David will be displeased at the loss of life, and will blame him for his want of caution. But it is curious that the messenger is instructed to mention the death of Uriah only after the king has given utterance to his anger.... read more
Complicity in evil. The facts are: 1 . Joab, having executed the wicked commission, sends word to David as to the progress of the war. 2 . He furnishes the messenger with a means of appeasing the probable wrath of David on his learning that the conflict was more serious than either he or Joab looked for, namely, an announcement of Uriah's death. 3 . The messenger carefully describes the seriousness of the engagement with the enemy, and concludes by referring to the death of... read more
Jerubbesheth ; in 6:32 called Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon. (On the substitution of Besheth, or more correctly Bosheth, for Baal, see notes on 2 Samuel 2:8 ; 2 Samuel 9:6 .) It is remarkable that the LXX ; Vulgate, and Syriac all read here Jerubbaal, though, like the Hebrew, they have Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth. Probably the change, which was not made until after the days of Jezebel, was only gradually carried out by the scribes. read more
( JERUSALEM , RABBAH .) Warnings from history. "Who smote Abimelech," etc.? "History is philosophy teaching by example." It is full of doctrines, principles, examples, warnings ( 1 Samuel 12:8-12 ). This event, which had taken place two hundred and thirty years before, was familiar to Joab and others; and, viewed as a warning, likely to be recalled by the king to point his reproof ( 9:53 ). Of such warnings observe that they— I. ARE OF IMMENSE SERVICE ; in making... read more
( JERUSALEM , RABBAH .) Concealment of sin. Order of events: 1 . Report of Uriah's death ( 2 Samuel 11:22-25 ). 2 . Bathsheba mourns (seven days, 1 Samuel 31:13 ) for her husband ( 2 Samuel 11:26 ), being probably unacquainted with the manner in which it was brought about. 3 . David makes her his wife. 4 . Joab takes Rabbah, except the citadel ( 2 Samuel 12:26 ). 5 . David, on receiving Joab's message, goes to Rabbah and conquers the city ( 2 Samuel... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:11
The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents. The presence of the ark with the army in the field is puzzling, and shows us how little we know of the religious practices of the Jews, as, but for this chance mention of it, we should have affirmed that it was never taken out of its place in Zion, and that in previous times the conduct of Eli's sons in carrying it out of the sanctuary to war was an irregular act. The Jews themselves feel the difficulty, and some of their rabbins affirm that... read more