2 Samuel 11:2-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:1-5

Here is, I. David's glory, in pursuing the war against the Ammonites, 2 Sam. 11:1. We cannot take that pleasure in viewing this great action which hitherto we have taken in observing David's achievements, because the beauty of it was stained and sullied by sin; otherwise we might take notice of David's wisdom and bravery in following his blow. Having routed the army of the Ammonites in the field, as soon as ever the season of the year permitted he sent more forces to waste the country and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:2

And it came to pass in an eveningtide ,.... Some time in the afternoon, when the sun began to decline; not in the dusk of the evening, for then the object he saw could not have been seen so distinctly by him: that David arose from off his bed ; having taken a nap in the heat of the day after dinner; indulging himself more than he used to do to sloth and luxury, which prepared him, and led him on the more eagerly to the lust of uncleanness: and walked upon the roof of the king's house ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:3

And David sent and inquired after the woman ,.... Who she was, what her name, and whether married or unmarried; if the latter, very probably his intention was to marry her, and he might, when he first made the inquiry, design to proceed no further, or to anything that was dishonourable; but it would have been better for him not to have inquired at all, and endeavoured to stifle the motions raised in him at the sight of her: and one said, is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:4

And David sent messengers ,.... To invite her to his palace: and took her ; not by force, but through persuasion: and she came in unto him ; into the apartment where he was: and he lay with her ; she consenting to it, being prevailed upon, and drawn into it through the greatness and goodness of the man, which might make the sin appear the lesser to her. This is recorded to show what the best of men are, when left to themselves; how strong and prevalent corrupt nature is in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:5

And the woman conceived ,.... Whereby the sin would be discovered, and shame, and disgrace, or worse, would follow upon it: and sent and told David, and said, I am with child ; this message she sent to David, that he might think of some ways and means to prevent the scandal that would fall both upon him and her, and the danger she was exposed unto; fearing the outcries of the people against her, in acting so unfaithful a part to her husband, so brave a man, who was now fighting for his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 11:2

In an evening-tide - David arose - He had been reposing on the roof of his house, to enjoy the breeze, as the noonday was too hot for the performance of business. This is still a constant custom on the flat-roofed houses in the East. He saw a woman washing herself - How could any woman of delicacy expose herself where she could be so fully and openly viewed? Did she not know that she was at least in view of the king's terrace? Was there no design in all this? Et fugit... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 11:3

The daughter of Eliam - Called, 1 Chronicles 3:5 , Ammiel; a word of the same meaning, The people of my God, The God of my people. This name expressed the covenant - I will be your God; We will be thy people. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 11:4

And she came in unto him - We hear nothing of her reluctance, and there is no evidence that she was taken by force. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 11:5

And the woman conceived - A proof of the observation on 2 Samuel 11:4 ; as that is the time in which women are most apt to conceive. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:1-5

( THE KING 'S PALACE .) David's fall into sin. "But David tarried still at Jerusalem" ( 2 Samuel 11:1 ; 1 Chronicles 20:1 ). 1 . He was about fifty years of age; had been reigning in Jerusalem upwards of twelve years; dwelt in a stately palace on Mount Zion; and possessed numerous sons and daughters, a splendid court and a powerful army. He had been "preserved whithersoever he went," subdued his enemies, and returned in triumph. His natural gifts and fervent piety ( Psalms... read more

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