2 Samuel 11:1-13 ▼

1 In the spring \At the turn of the year/, at the time when kings march out to war, David (beloved) sent out Joab (YHWH is father) and his servants with the whole army of Israel (he wrestles with God). They destroyed the Ammonites (tribal) and besieged Rabbah (great), but David remained in Jerusalem (city of peace).

2 One evening David (beloved) got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.

3 So David (beloved) sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba (daughter of an oath), the daughter of Eliam (Ammiel) and the wife of Uriah (YHWH is my light) the Hittite.”

4 Then David (beloved) sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.

5 And the woman conceived and sent word to David (beloved), saying, “I am pregnant.”

6 At this, David (beloved) sent orders to Joab (YHWH is father): “Send me Uriah (YHWH is my light) the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David.

7 When Uriah (YHWH is my light) came to him, David (beloved) asked how Joab (YHWH is father) and the troops were doing and how the war was going.

8 Then he (beloved) said to Uriah (YHWH is my light), “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king followed him.

9 But Uriah (YHWH is my light) slept at the door of the palace with all his master’s servants; he did not go down to his house.

10 And David (beloved) was told, “Uriah (YHWH is my light) did not go home.” “Haven’t you just arrived from a journey?” David asked Uriah. “Why didn’t you go home?”

11 Uriah (YHWH is my light) answered (beloved), “The ark and Israel (he wrestles with God) and Judah (praised) are dwelling in tents (staying at Sukkoth), and my master Joab (YHWH is father) and his soldiers are camped in the open field. How can I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!”

12 “Stay here one more day,” David (beloved) said to Uriah (YHWH is my light), “and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem (city of peace) that day and the next.

13 Then David (beloved) invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and he got Uriah drunk. And in the evening Uriah went out to lie down on his cot with his master’s servants, but he did not go home.