Bible Chapter Summary
2 Samuel 11 Summary
David's Adultery with Bathsheba
While Israel wages war against the Ammonites, David remains in Jerusalem. From his rooftop, he sees the beautiful Bathsheba bathing and takes her to his bed. When she conceives, David attempts to conceal his sin by summoning her husband Uriah from battle and encouraging him to return home. When Uriah refuses to indulge himself while his fellow soldiers camp in the open fields, David writes a letter to Joab ordering him to place Uriah in the fiercest fighting where he will be killed. After Uriah's death in battle, David takes Bathsheba as his wife, but the Lord is displeased with what David has done.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Samuel 11:2
“And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.”
2 Samuel 11:11
“And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.”
2 Samuel 11:15
“And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.”
2 Samuel 11:27
“And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.”
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