2 Samuel 12:8-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:1-14

It seems to have been a great while after David had been guilty of adultery with Bath-sheba before he was brought to repentance for it. For, when Nathan was sent to him, the child was born (2 Sam. 12:14), so that it was about nine months that David lay under the guilt of that sin, and, for aught that appears, unrepented of. What shall we think of David's state all this while? Can we imagine that his heart never smote him for it, or that he never lamented it in secret before God? I would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:8

And I gave thee thy master's house ,.... Not his palace at Gibeah, but rather his family, his wives, servants, wealth, and riches, all being confiscated through the rebellion of Ishbosheth; or rather his kingdom he succeeded him in: and thy master's wives into thy bosom ; though we read of no more than one that belonged to Saul, if he is meant by his master, excepting Rizpah his concubine, nor ever of David taking them into his bosom and bed; wherefore this can be understood only of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:9

Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight ?.... The commandment referred to is the law of God, particularly the sixth and seventh precepts of it, Exodus 20:13 ; which David had shown no regard unto, and by his breaking them had slighted and despised them: thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword ; and so had despised and broken the sixth command, Exodus 20:13 ; for though he had not taken away his life with his own hand, he had plotted... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 12:8

Thy master ' s wives into thy bosom - Perhaps this means no more than that he had given him absolute power over every thing possessed by Saul; and as it was the custom for the new king to succeed even to the wives and concubines, the whole harem of the deceased king, so it was in this case; and the possession of the wives was a sure proof that he had got all regal rights. But could David, as the son-in-law of Saul, take the wives of his father-in-law? However, we find delicacy... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 12:9

Thou hast killed Uriah - Thou art the Murderer, as having planned his death; the sword of the Ammonites was Thy instrument only. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:1-14

The facts are: 1. God sends Nathan the prophet to David, who tells him a story of the greed of a wicked rich man, who, to satisfy his avarice, took away and slew the pot ewe lamb of a poor man. 2 . David, accepting the story as a matter of fact, is very angry with this man, and swears that for his deed and lack of compassion he ought to die and restore fourfold. 3 . Nathan thereupon reveals the parabolic character of his narrative, by saying unto David, "Thou art the man !" 4 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:7-10

( THE PALACE .) Thou art the man! The proper purpose of reproof is conviction of sin. This purpose was accomplished by the words of the prophet. They were like a "two-edged sword" ( Hebrews 4:12 ), the point of which was, "Thou art the man!" "If ever a word from human lips fell with crushing weight and with the illuminating power of a gleam of lightning, it was this" (Krummacher). "His indignation against the rich man of the parable showed that the moral sense was not wholly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:8

I gave … thy master's wives into thy bosom. These words probably mean that, as the whole possessions of his predecessor belonged, by Oriental custom, to the next occupant of the throne, David might have claimed the entire household and the wives both of Saul and Ishbosbeth as his own, though apparently he had not done so. As far as we know, Saul had but one wife ( 1 Samuel 14:50 ) and one concubine, Rizpah ( 2 Samuel 3:7 ). Of Ishbosheth's family arrangements we know little, but his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:9

Despising the commandments of God. David, by his grievous sins, had virtually shown contempt for the well-known commandments of God against coveting the wife of another, and against adultery and murder. Hence the force of this remonstrance. It may be properly addressed to all who in any way show contempt for any of the Divine commandments; to all men, therefore, since all are in some respects and in some degree guilty of this sin. I. WHO MAY BE SAID TO DESPISE THE ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 12:8

And thy master’s wives ... - According to Eastern custom, the royal harem was a part of the royal inheritance. The prophets spoke in such matters according to the received opinions of their day, and not always according to the abstract rule of right. (Compare Matthew 19:4-9.) read more

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