Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 11

AND it came to pass, that after the year was expired at the time when kings go forth to battel that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah , but David tarried still at Jerusalem.

Which is, when the ground is fit for the March of Soldiers, and brings forth Provision for Man and Beast.

These words are to be understood here, as Gen. 10. 11. and 14. 8.

The Chief and Royal City of the Ammonites, Deut. 3. 11.

a When that year ended, and the next begun, which was in the Spring-time, Exod. 12. 2.

Marginal references: Heb. at the return of the year.; 1 Chron. 20. 1.

2 ¶ And it came to pass in an evening-tide, that David arose from off his bed , and walked upon the roof of the kings house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing her self : and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

Where he had lain, and slept for sometime; being possibly disposed to sleep after Dinner, by reason of some Excels committed in Eating, or Drinking; and indulging himself in his Lazy Humour, which may seem very improper for so great a Prince and Captain, who had so many and great Burdens upon his Shoulders, especially in a time of War; and therefore such Practises have been condemned by Heathens: and Homer will not allow a General and great Counseller to sleep all the Night, much less to take any part of the Day for it. And therefore this is thought to be David's first Error, and the occasion of his following Fall.

Which was plain after the manner, Deut. 22. 8.

To wit, in a Bath, which possibly was in her Garden; or in some room near to the King's Palace, where she might wash her self divers ways, and for different ends; either for health, or coolness, or to cleanse her self from some kind of legal Impurity: where also, the Windows being open, and she careless, David might espie her.

3 And David sent and enquired after the woman : and one said, Is not this Bath-sheba the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hitt[illegible: 1+ letters]te ?

Instead of suppressing that Lust which the sight of his Eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first enquires who she was; that, if she were unmarried, he might make her either his Wife, or his Concubine

Called also Bathshua, 1 Chron. 3. 5. where also Fliam is called Ammiel.

So called, either, 1. By his Original, being born either of that Race, but become a zealous Proselyte; or, at least, among that People. Or, 2. By his Habitation among them. Or, 3. For some notable Exploit of his against that People: See 1 Sam. 26. 6. and the notes on 2 Sam. 8. 18.

4 And David sent messengers, and took her , and she came in unto him , and he lay with her ( for she was purified from her uncleanness) and she returned unto her house.

From her own House into his Palace, not by force, but by perswasion, as desiring to speak with her.

Into his Palace and Chamber, as he desired.

To wit, from her menstruous Pollution, according to the Law, Levit. 18. 19. Which is here noted, as the reason, either why David pursued his Lustful desire; or why she so easily yielded to it, because she was not under that Pollution which might alienate her from it; or rather, why she so readily conceived, that time being observed by Aristotle and others, to be the most likely time for Conception.

Marginal references: Psal. 51. title.; Heb. and she was purifying her self from her uncleanness. So Gr.; * Lev. 15. 19. and 18. 19.

5 And the woman conceived, and sent, and told David, and said, I am with child .

Consider therefore what to do for thy own honour, and for my safety, whom thou hast brought into a most shameful and dangerous condition.

7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered ?

Frivolous Questions which any common Messenger could have answered: which probably made Uriah suspect that there was some other secret cause why he was sent for. And he might understand something, either by David's Messengers, v. 4. or by some of his own Family, concerning her being sent for to the Court: which together with other Circumstances might give him cause of further suspition. Yet such might be the Questions (though not here particularly mentioned) concerning those Heads, as every private person might not be acquainted with, nor able to resolve, but such onely as were acquainted with the Counsel of War.

Marginal references: Heb. of the peace of, &c.

8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house , and wash thy feet . And Uriah departed out of the kings house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king .

Not doubting but he would there Converse with his Wife, and so cover their Sin and Shame.

As Travellers there used to do.

Seemingly as a Testimony of David's respect and Affection to him; but really to cheer up his Spirits, and dispose him to desire his Wives company.

Marginal references: Heb. went out after him

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the kings house with all the servants of his lord , and went not down to his house.

With the King's Guard. This he did, either upon some suspition of the matter, See v. 7. Or, by the secret direction of Gods wise and irresistible Providence, who would bring David's Sin to light.

10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey ? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

Whether of their own accord, or being first asked by David, it doth not appear.

Wearied with hard service and Travel, and therefore didst need refreshment; nor did I expect or desire that thou shouldest now attend upon my Person, or keep the Watch.

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.

Which it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual: See Numb 10. 35. 1 Sam. 4. 4.

To wit, in Tents which are in the Fields.

He might possibly add these words, to insinuate his apprehension of the King's Design, and to awaken his Conscience to the consideration of his Sin, and of the Injury which he had done him. His meaning is, Now when God's People are in a doubtful and dangerous Condition, it becomes me to Sympathize with them, and to abstain even from lawful Delights. Whereby he might possibly intimate, how unworthy it was for David in such a season to indulge himself in sinful and injurious Pleasures. But David's Ear was now Deaf, his Heart being hardned through the deceitfulness of Sin.

Marginal references: Chap. 20. 6.

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.

i. e. Being invited by David.

Or, he made him merry, as the Word oft signifies. He caused him to Drink more than was convenient.

Which it doth not appear, that he did the Night before; but now his Excess in Eating and Drinking, might make it more necessary for him.

i. e. In some Chamber in the King's Court, where the Kings Servants used to take their Repose.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battel, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten and die .

So far is David from Repenting upon these just and great Occasions, that he seeks to cover one Sin with another; and to hide his Adultery with Murder, even the Murder of a most Excellent Person, and that in a most Malicious and Perfidious manner.

Marginal references: Heb. strong.; Heb. from after him.

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 .

Placed there to defend it, because that part of the City was supposed either the weakest, or the place designed for the Assault. Ioab having formerly committed a base Murder upon Abner, was ready to execute this wicked Command of the King; that so he being involved in the same Guilt with him, might the more willingly receive him into favour.

21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a milstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also .

Called also Ierubbaal, Iudg. 9. 1. See the note on 2 Sam. 2. 8.

Which he knew would be acceptable news to the King, and therefore allay his Wrath. This indeed might make the Messenger suspect that David had an hand in Uriah's Death; and possibly Ioab might say so for that very reason, that these matters by degrees being known, David might be hardned in Sin, and so Ioab might have the greater interest in him.

Marginal references: Judg. 9. 53

23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entring of the gate .

We beat them back, and pursued them even to the Gate.

25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee : for the sword devoureth † one as well as another: make thy battel more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him .

Be not dejected or discouraged by this sad occasion.

i. e. Ioab, to proceed in the Siege.

Marginal references: Heb. be [illegible: 1 word] in thine [illegible: 1 word]; ‡ Heb. So [illegible: 1 word] such.

27 And when the mourning was past , David sent and [illegible: 1+ letters]et her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son : but the thing that David had done , displeased the LORD.

Which was seven days, Gen. 50. 10. 1 Sam. 31. 13. Nor could the nature of the thing admit of longer delay, lest the too early birth of the Child might discover David's Sin.

By which it appears, That David continued in the state of Impenitency for divers Months together; and this notwithstanding his frequent attendance upon God's Ordinances. Which is an eminent instance of the Corruption of Man's Nature which is even in the best; and, without Divine Assistance, is too strong for them; of the deceitfulness of Sin, and of the tremendous Judgment of God in punishing one Sin, by delivering a man up to another.

i. e. His Adultery and Murder, as is evident from the next Chapter.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] in the [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]