1 Samuel 11
Second Samuel 11 describes an incident often seen as a significant turning point in King David’s life. In this chapter, the story records how David gets drawn into an improper relationship with Bathsheba and the tragic decision he makes to have Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, killed on the battlefield in order to cover it up. Through the gradual unfolding of all these events, the biblical writer shows human weakness and the seriousness of the sin that flows from it.
1verseThen Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.”
2verseNahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make it with you, that all your right eyes be gouged out. I will make this dishonor all Israel.”
3verseThe elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.”
4verseThen the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke these words in the ears of the people, then all the people lifted up their voice and wept.
5verseBehold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, “What ails the people that they weep?” They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
6verseGod’s Spirit came mightily on Saul when he heard those words, and his anger burned hot.
7verseHe took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, then sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever doesn’t come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” The dread of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
8verseHe counted them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9verseThey said to the messengers who came, “Tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be rescued.’” The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10verseTherefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you.”
11verseOn the next day, Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the middle of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
12verseThe people said to Samuel, “Who is he who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring those men, that we may put them to death!”
13verseSaul said, “No man shall be put to death today; for today the LORD has rescued Israel.”
14verseThen Samuel said to the people, “Come! Let’s go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.”
15verseAll the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
The Flow of the Main Events
- Verses 1-5: During a time when the war is in full swing, David remains in the palace in Jerusalem. At that time, he sees Bathsheba bathing, allows desire to take hold in his heart, and calls her, committing a serious wrongdoing.
- Verses 6-13: Upon hearing the news that Bathsheba is pregnant, David summons her husband, Uriah, from the battlefield so he can try to hide his own sin. But Uriah does not go home because he cannot be with his fellow soldiers.
- Verses 14-25: To cover up his wrongdoing, David sends Uriah to the fiercest part of the fighting and, in the end, Uriah is killed in battle.
- Verses 26-27: Bathsheba mourns the death of her husband, but David soon brings her into the palace and makes her his wife. However, the final line of the passage records that God considered this to be evil.
The Meaning of the Passage and Its Structural Features
This chapter can be compressed into five key themes: class, power, responsibility, temptation, and consequences. Even though David was in a position of great authority as king, his moral downfall begins when he uses his power for personal purposes. The passage shows the nature and seriousness of sin in that David’s actions do not end with a single mistake, but instead lead to deeper and deeper wrongdoing. The biblical author gives sufficient time to David’s choices, suggesting the ripple effects that human decisions bring and the importance of facing them rather than avoiding them.
Points for Reflection
- The passage shows that no one can be free from temptation and mistakes regardless of their position or status.
- Remembering that attempts to conceal sin can bring about another sin, we can reflect on how important it is to take responsibility for our actions.
- We can also be reminded that good intentions or external success do not guarantee inner morality.
Applying It to Me
- I take time to look back and ask whether, in everyday life, I am perhaps easily justifying small temptations or wrong choices.
- Rather than hiding wrongdoing, this can be a time to learn an attitude of honest acknowledgement and taking responsibility for the sake of preventing greater consequences.
- Remembering that true repentance and change begin with my own decision, I ask God again today for an honest heart in His presence.
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