11:1 in the spring People in the ancient Near East primarily fought battles in the spring rather than in the winter. Fighting in the colder months could endanger the soldiers and required more resources.

kings go out Rather than going out himself, David sends Joab out against the Ammonites. This may be a subtle indication that something is amiss.

Joab David’s nephew and the commander of his army. See 2 Sam 2:13 and note.

They ravaged all of the Ammonites The Ammonites had rebelled in ch. 10.

Battles of Saul and David Table

11:2 a woman bathing She may be bathing to be cleansed from the impurity of her menstrual cycle, as prescribed by the law of the time (see Lev 15:19–30).

11:3 inquired about the woman If Bathsheba had not been married, David probably would have added her to his harem, which is a prerogative of the king.

Eliam Possibly the son of Ahithophel, who was David’s advisor (2 Sam 23:34; 15:12–17:23). This would account for her proximity to the royal residence.

Uriah the Hittite One of David’s 30 mighty men (23:39). The designation “the Hittite” might indicate that he was a resident alien.

11:4 he slept with her The Hebrew phrase used here is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

her uncleanness The Hebrew text here may refer to the Law’s regulations concerning impurity created by having illicit sexual intercourse (Lev 18:20; Num 5:19–21) or to the regulations concerning a woman’s menstruation period (Lev 15:25–30).

11:6 Send Uriah the Hittite to me David immediately begins to conceal his immorality.

11:8 wash your feet The Hebrew phrase used here is a euphemism for sexual intercourse. Feet were sometimes referenced euphemistically to refer to male genitalia (e.g., Exod 4:25; Isa 7:20).

11:9 did not go down Uriah may sense that he is being tested. In an effort to prove his faithfulness to David’s standards for warfare—which seem to have applied to holy war in general—he does not have sexual intercourse with his wife and instead guards the king (compare 1 Sam 21:4–5; Exod 19:15).

with all the servants of his master Uriah slept where the men serving David slept. This may be a reference to David’s 30 mighty men (2 Sam 23:24–39).

11:11 The ark God’s dwelling place on earth.

Israel and Judah His countrymen.

and to sleep with my wife Uriah refuses to participate in privileges that his superiors and peers cannot enjoy.

I surely will not do this thing Uriah considers the action disrespectful in light of what Yahweh and his fellow warriors were forced to endure. This contrasts Uriah’s character with David’s.

11:13 he did not go down David probably intended for Uriah to have intercourse with Bathsheba to cover up Bathsheba’s pregnancy; David’s ruse is prevented when Uriah once again does not go home. David is forced to come up with another plan.

11:14 he sent it by the hand of Uriah Uriah unknowingly carries his own death warrant.

11:15 draw back from behind him Uriah would be unprotected by his fellow soldiers and left completely exposed.

11:17 Uriah the Hittite also died Joab carries out David’s plan by intentionally getting his soldiers too close to the city wall, where they could easily be bombarded (see vv. 20–21); this results in more than Uriah’s death.

11:20 if the anger of the king rises David may have grown angry because of Joab’s tactics and the deaths.

11:21 Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerub-bosheth, if not a woman who threw an upper millstone on him from atop the wall and he died at Thebez? See Judg 9:52–53; note on 9:53.

Uriah the Hittite also died Uriah’s death would appease the king’s anger against Joab. David’s main objective was achieved.

11:25 the sword will devour Perhaps an ancient proverb indicating that sometimes even the best soldiers die in battle. David feigns ignorance of any wrongdoing. He encourages Joab to continue with his mission of overthrowing Rabbah.

11:27 she became his wife Similar to his marriage to the widow Abigail (1 Sam 25:39–42).

was evil in the eyes of Yahweh The first time this is said of David. By closing this section with this statement, the narrative leaves readers wondering what will happen. God’s sending His prophet Nathan to the king does not bode well for David (see 2 Sam 12:1).

Building Hedges against Adultery Devotional