“And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, 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. after: Heb. at the return of the year”
The year following about the spring time. Cross references: : 1 Chron. 20:1
“And it came to pass in an eveningtide , that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.”
Whereupon he used to rest at afternoon, as was read of Ishbosheth, 2 Sam. 4:7 .
“And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”
Who was not an Israelite born, but converted to the true religion.
“And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.”
Fearing lest she should be stoned according to the Law.
“And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. followed: Heb. went out after him”
David thought that if Uriah lay with his wife, his fault might be cloaked.
“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.”
Hereby God would touch David’s conscience, that seeing the fidelity and religion of his servant, he would declare himself so forgetful of God, and injurious to his servant.
“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.”
He made him drink more liberally than he was wont to do, thinking hereby he would have lain by his wife.
“And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. hottest: Heb. strong from him: Heb. from after him”
Hebrew, saying . Except God continually uphold us with his mighty spirit, the most perfect fall headlong into all vice and abomination.
“Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone 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.”
Meaning, Gideon, Judg. 9:52 , 53 .
“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 battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. displease: Heb. be evil in thine eyes one: Heb. so and such”
He dissembleth with the messenger, to the intent that neither his cruel commandment, nor Joab’s wicked obedience might be espied. Hebrew , so and so.
“And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of”
Hebrew, was evil in the eyes of the Lord.