The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’, But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? History is not written in a way that makes David look good. Read more in-depth Bible verses in the Scripture below and use the articles and videos to understand the meaning behind this teachable event in the Bible. 16 Joab watched the city and saw where its strongest defenders were and put Uriah there. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. 11:1) when he saw Bathsheba bathing (vv. 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. The prophet Nathan visited King David and told him of the Lord's disapproval and displeasure with David. God uses David’s family—usually the source of one’s honor—to bring about the shame. Only three verses describe David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba. 27 After she finished her time of sadness, David sent servants to bring her to his house. Did David rape Bathsheba – possibly, possibly not. The whole story goes on to describe how David attempts to cover up his sin by murdering Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, and how it is exposed by Nathan the prophet. 16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. “Is the child dead?” he asked. As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”. The relevant Bible passages are found in 2 Samuel 11-12. David was nervous that his sin of adultery would now be found out. David was strolling about on the roof of his palace (though he should have been in battle, 2 Sam. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. Once he found out Bathsheba's identity, he knew that she was married and he had sent her husband off to war. I gave you all Israel and Judah. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”, Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Sermon on the Mount - Bible Story Verses & Meaning, The Prodigal Son Parable - Bible Story Verses & Meaning, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. David was immediately drawn to her and sent messengers to find out who she was. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home. “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. The story from 2 Samuel 11 through to the end of his life is dominated by troubles that David brought on himself by his own sin and folly. Instead, he slept outside the door of the palace as all the king’s officers did. Read more about David and Bathsheba and see how even though God can always forgive, there will still be consequences for our sinful choices. Nathan replies: “You are that man!” as he confronts David about his wrong-doings. But God will not let his son remain in sin. When we turn to God, he forgives sin. Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the city wall? 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. It’s a sordid tale that begins with David spying on Bathsheba … How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? 5 But Bathsheba became pregnant and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”, 6 So David sent a message to Joab: “Send Uriah the Hittite to me.” And Joab sent Uriah to David. 21 Do you remember who killed Abimelech son of Jerub-Besheth? The first was the baby that was the fruit of the sinful and murderous romance between him and Bathsheba. 10 The officers told David, “Uriah did not go home.”, Then David said to Uriah, “You came from a long trip. 3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. Temptation can come when I … 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. The king could have turned his gaze away, but he found himself drawn to this other mans wife. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”. His children seek his throne and chase their Father out of Jerusalem. Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. Joab sent David a full account of the battle. In other … Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. The King called for Uriah to come home so that he could spend a night with his wife, Bathsheba, and cover up the sin that Bathsheba was pregnant with David's child. David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? The King called for Uriah to come home so that he could spend a night with his wife, Bathsheba, and cover up the sin that Bathsheba was pregnant with David's child. Bathsheba is the irresistibly nubile woman who knowingly de-robed in David’s line of sight so she could seduce him. The Prophet told him that G‑d would spare his life, but that he would not escape many misfortunes. 24 The archers on the city wall shot at your servants, and some of your men were killed. Bathsheba later sends word to David that she was pregnant. 13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house. He lost four children. Evil desire leads to sin, and sin leads to death. Even if Bathsheba played a part, scriptures deem David's sin in their affair to be greater for two reasons. 18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; 19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king. Then she went back home. David committed adultery with a married woman called Bathsheba. But David stayed in Jerusalem. David made Uriah drunk, but he still did not go home. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. He may have wined her and dined her for a few days? But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.