2 Sa 11: "The final defeat of the Ammonites (2Sa 10) was a
military victory that combined with the moral defeat that affected the life of
David thereafter. The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life was
to affect the great king at the time of his greatest moment.
"How can Yahweh's estimate of David be justified in the light
of the sad incident recorded in this chapter? David's life must be viewed as a
whole and not by this one incident. His general uprightness, generosity, and
warm-heartedness towards his God, his ardent spiritual service, his deep faith
and obedience must all be brought into consideration.
"David committed adultery; so do many who secretly hanker
after the things of this world (Mat 5:28); he committed murder, so do many
others through spite, envy and jealousy of others (1Jo 3:15). Without defending
David, or condoning his sin, we must accept the estimate of Yahweh (Joh 2:25),
and be careful that we do not 'cast the first stone' and thus condemn
ourselves.
"David's sin should cause the righteous to fear, and sinners
to hope. He acted entirely out of character, and subsequently was truly
repentant. A general may lose a battle and yet win a campaign. David did that
morally, and was victorious in his life. In that matter, his sin was not 'unto
death', whereas many do less that he but commit the sin of lawlessness, as did
his predecessor, Saul. But David had built up for himself a reservoir of mercy,
and thus was able to tap into the goodness of Yahweh in the time of need"
(GEM).
THE TIME WHEN KINGS GO OFF TO WAR: "Springtime, which
marks the end of the rainy season in the Middle East, assures that roads will be
in good condition (or at least passable), that there will be plenty of fodder
for war horses and pack animals, and that an army on the march will be able to
raid the fields for food" (EBC).
2Sa 11:2
EVENING: Heb "ereb" = dusky, dark.
HE SAW A WOMAN: Looking lustfully upon a woman: Mat
5:28.
2Sa 11:3
ISN'T THIS BATHSHEBA... THE WIFE...?: An implied
reproach in this question.
URIAH: "The light or flame of Yahweh", ever burning
bright in the battles of the LORD.
2Sa 11:5
I AM PREGNANT: "Then, after desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (Jam
1:15). Lust conceives the child, and then came the murder of Uriah.
2Sa 11:11
A scarcely-concealed rebuke of David, who should have been at
the battle himself (cp v 1). Clearly, Uriah knew what had been going
on!
2Sa 11:24
Other mighty warriors (not just Uriah) died -- to cover the
crime.