2 Samuel 11:11

11. The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents That is, the houses like those occupied by David and Uriah, and other chief men, were comparatively few; most of the families of Israel yet dwelt in tents, and even the ark of the covenant yet dwelt in curtains. 2 Samuel 7:2. Most interpreters have erroneously supposed that the Israel and Judah here referred to were the warriors now besieging Rabbah, and that the ark had also been taken with them to battle. But the next sentence shows that the army besieging Rabbah were not in tents at all, but in the open fields. Uriah, in the spirit of an enthusiastic soldier, refuses at that period of the war to subject himself to the delights and comforts of his superior home, lest he become effeminate, and lose interest in the struggles for national honour. It is probable that Uriah had, upon his arrival at Jerusalem, received some hint or information of what had been going on in his absence, for David’s sin had not been altogether secret. See note on, 2 Samuel 11:4.