2 Samuel 11:1-2

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 11:1

And it came to pass, that after the year was expired ,.... Or at the end of the year, as the Targum, which concluded with the month Adar or February, the spring of the year: at the time when kings go forth to battle ; in the month Nisan, as the Targum on 1 Chronicles 20:1 ; adds, the same with Abib, which was the first month of the year, Exodus 12:2 , a fit time to go out to war; when, as the Jewish commentators observe, the rains were over, and there were grass in the fields, 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1

When kings go forth - This was about a year after the war with the Syrians spoken of before, and about the spring of the year, as the most proper season for military operations. Calmet thinks they made two campaigns, one in autumn and the other in spring; the winter being in many respects inconvenient, and the summer too hot. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:1

EXPOSITION After the year was expired; Hebrew and Revised Version, at the return of the year; that is, as Josephus paraphrases it, "the next spring." It seems quite certain that the war with Hadarezer did not take place in the same year as the defeat of the Syrians at Medeba. For the gathering of his mercenaries by Nahash would occupy a long time, and it was done so leisurely, that not only did news of it reach Jerusalem, but David was able to collect his forces, and instead of... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:1-17

The facts are: 1 . During the prosecution of the war against Ammon in the spring, David remains in Jerusalem. 2 . Walking one evening on his house top, he sees a woman washing herself, and observes her beauty. 3 . Curiosity being awakened, he sends to inquire after her, and learns that she is the wife of Uriah. 4 . Sending a royal message to her, she, as a loyal subject, waits upon him, whereupon he commits adultery. 5 . Discovering in the course of a little time that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 11:2

David arose from off his bed. It was usual in Palestine, and remains so in all hot countries, to take a siesta in the heat of the day ( 2 Samuel 4:5 ); and, on awaking, David walked backward and forward on the fiat roof of his house ( 1 Samuel 9:25 ), to enjoy the cool breezes of the evening. In so doing he was probably following his usual habits; but temptation came upon him, as so often is the case, unexpectedly. We are told that it is regarded in the East as improper for one neighbour... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 11:1

After the year was expired - The next spring after the escape of the Ammonites into their city 2 Samuel 10:14.The children of Ammon - The marginal reference supplies the word “the land of,” which is obviously the right reading.David tarried at Jerusalem - The Syrians being subdued, the war with Ammon was not of sufficient moment to require David’s personal presence. The whole section relating to David’s adultery and Uriah’s death, from this verse to 2 Samuel 12:26, is omitted in the Book of... read more

Group of Brands