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Following table is taken from ESV Study Bible.
| David’s Rise (1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 10) |
David’s failure (2 Samuel 11-20) |
| Eager holy warrior | Remains in palace |
| Marries honorably | Adultery with Bathsheba |
| Protects Saul’s life | Plots Uriah’s death |
| Decisive | Indecisive |
| Prayers effective | Prayers ineffective |
| Fearless when outnumbered | Fearfully takes census |
| Attracts thousands of followers | Loss thousands of followers |
V. 1: …at the time when the kings go out to battle… But David remained at Jerusalem… It is clearly mentioned the place where David supposed to be. He should have been with the army in the battle ground. At the same time the reason for staying in Jerusalem was not stated. There is a season for everything. Elisha asked Gehazi 2 kings 5:26b… Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants?
V. 2: …beautiful to behold… Read Genesis 3:6,”… when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise,…” 2 Sam. 11:2… the phrase beautiful to behold means ‘very good in appearance’ similar to ‘Pleasing to the eyes’ in Genesis 3:6.
Also, this illustrates the order described in James 1:14-15 Desire…enticement, conception, birth and growth (of sin), and death to soul.
V. 3: …Uriah the Hittite… Uriah is a Hittite. Hittite Empire was a powerful empire ended about 1200 B.C. (Davidic Kingdom was around 1010 B.C.). Uriah was from the remnant lived in Israel during David’s time. He is listed as one of the David’s 37 mighty warriors listed in 2 Sam 23:39.
V. 4: …sent messengers… It appeared to the world that David makes sure the welfare of one of his mighty general by inquiring Bathsheba in a personal interview through messengers. Even when Uriah was dead, he appeared as if he is taking the widow under his provision and protection. But everything was cover-up to his sin.
He tries to conceal his crime. (6-13)
V. 6: …send me Uriah… As a king, David certainly had some privileges; but adultery is not one among the privileges. So, here starts all the cover-up with ploys, lies, and schemes. What a contrast we see in David’s life when we compare his attitude towards Saul and others and his attitude towards Uriah. David tried his best to cover up his child through Bathsheba as Uriah’s.
The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents… shall I then go to my house (V.11)… This verse gives a clear contrast between David who should have been with Uriah in the battlefield and Uriah denying all comfort and privilege of sleeping in his house.
Uriah murdered. (14-27)
Vs. 14 & 15: …wrote a letter…sent it by…Uriah… David was hopelessly conquered by the need to cover up his sin, even at the expense of a faithful general’s death. David’s Cold-heartedness is made more obvious by his sending the death sentence in the hands of Uriah himself.
Vs. 16 & 17: …Uriah the Hittite died also… Joab executed the order precisely.
Vs. 18 – 27: Joab knew what David would say if the death is not about Uriah (v. 20 & 21). Probably David advised Joab not to go near the wall referring how Abimelech got killed. But when David heard about the death of Uriah, he changed his reaction to the message (v. 25) by sending back Joab a message. David said,”Don’t let this thing displease you” whereas V. 27 says, “But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD”