2 Samuel 11:15
2 Samuel 11:15 in Multiple Translations
In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”
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.
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.
And in the letter he said, Take care to put Uriah in the very front of the line, where the fighting is most violent, and go back from him, so that he may be overcome and put to death.
In the letter, David told Joab, “Put Uriah right in the front where the fighting is worst, and then pull back behind him so that he'll be attacked and killed.”
And he wrote thus in the letter, Put ye Vriah in the forefront of the strength of the battell, and recule ye backe from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
and he writeth in the letter, saying, 'Place ye Uriah over-against the front of the severest battle, and ye have turned back from after him, and he hath been smitten, and hath died.'
He wrote in the letter, saying, “Send Uriah to the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck and die.”
And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the front of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
Writing in the letter: Set ye Urias in the front of the battle, where the fight is strongest: and leave ye him, that he may be wounded and die.
In the letter, he wrote, “Put Uriah in the front line, where the fighting is the ◄worst/most severe►. Then command the soldiers to pull back from him, in order that he will be killed by our enemies.”
That message said this, “Send Uriah to the really hard fighting, close to the Ammon mob. Tell the other soldiers to stand back away from him and leave him alone. Then the enemy will kill him dead.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 11:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 11:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֥ב
בַּ/סֵּ֖פֶר
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
הָב֣וּ
אֶת
אֽוּרִיָּ֗ה
אֶל
מוּל֙
פְּנֵ֤י
הַ/מִּלְחָמָה֙
הַֽ/חֲזָקָ֔ה
וְ/שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם
מֵ/אַחֲרָ֖י/ו
וְ/נִכָּ֥ה
וָ/מֵֽת
וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֥ב
kâthab
H3789
to write
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בַּ/סֵּ֖פֶר
çêpher
H5612
scroll
Prep | N-ms
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
הָב֣וּ
yâhab
H3051
to give
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אֽוּרִיָּ֗ה
ʼÛwrîyâh
H223
Uriah
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
מוּל֙
mûwl
H4136
opposite
Prep
פְּנֵ֤י
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
הַ/מִּלְחָמָה֙
milchâmâh
H4421
battle
Art | N-fs
הַֽ/חֲזָקָ֔ה
châzâq
H2389
strong
Art | Adj
וְ/שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Qal-2mp
מֵ/אַחֲרָ֖י/ו
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep | Prep | Suff
וְ/נִכָּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Niphal-3ms
וָ/מֵֽת
mûwth
H4191
to die
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 11:15
וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֥ב
kâthab
H3789
"to write"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To write or record something, including inscribing or engraving. It is used in various contexts, such as writing down a decree or subscribing to an agreement. This word is about putting thoughts or ideas into written form.
Definition: 1) to write, record, enrol 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to write, inscribe, engrave, write in, write on 1a2) to write down, describe in writing 1a3) to register, enrol, record 1a4) to decree 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be written 1b2) to be written down, be recorded, be enrolled 1c) (Piel) to continue writing Aramaic equivalent: ke.tav (כְּתַב "to write" H3790)
Usage: Occurs in 212 OT verses. KJV: describe, record, prescribe, subscribe, write(-ing, -ten). See also: Exodus 17:14; 1 Chronicles 9:1; Psalms 40:8.
בַּ/סֵּ֖פֶר
çêpher
H5612
"scroll"
Prep | N-ms
This word means a written document, like a scroll or book, used to record important events or messages. It appears in books like Isaiah and Matthew, referring to written records.
Definition: : document 1) missive, document, writing, book 1a) missive 1a1) letter (of instruction), written order, commission, request, written decree 1b) legal document, certificate of divorce, deed of purchase, indictment, sign 1c) book, scroll 1c1) book of prophecies 1c2) genealogical register 1c3) law-book 1c4) book (of poems) 1c5) book (of kings) 1c6) books of the canon, scripture 1c7) record book (of God) 1d) book-learning, writing 1d1) be able to read (after verb 'to know')
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: bill, book, evidence, [idiom] learn(-ed) (-ing), letter, register, scroll. See also: Genesis 5:1; 2 Chronicles 17:9; Psalms 40:8.
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הָב֣וּ
yâhab
H3051
"to give"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To give means to provide or put something, and can also mean to come or set something, as seen in the Bible. It is used in various contexts, including giving glory to God or providing for others.
Definition: 1) to give, provide, ascribe, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give 1a2) to set, place 1a3) to provide (with reflexive) 1a4) to ascribe (glory) 1a5) to grant, permit, come now Aramaic equivalent: ye.hav (יְהַב "to give" H3052)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take. See also: Genesis 11:3; Ruth 3:15; Psalms 29:1.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֽוּרִיָּ֗ה
ʼÛwrîyâh
H223
"Uriah"
N-proper
Uriah was a prophet who lived during the time of King Jehoiakim, as mentioned in Jeremiah 26:20-23. His name means 'God is my light' and he was slain for speaking God's word. Several other Israelites shared this name, including a Hittite warrior in David's army.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.8.4 § Uriah or Urijah = "Jehovah (Yahweh) is my light (flame)" a prophet slain by Jehoiakim
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: Uriah, Urijah. See also: 2 Samuel 11:3; 2 Samuel 12:10; Isaiah 8:2.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
מוּל֙
mûwl
H4136
"opposite"
Prep
This word means opposite or in front of, often used to describe location or direction. In Exodus 14:2, the Israelites camped in front of Pi-ha-hiroth, facing the sea. It provides a sense of spatial awareness and orientation in biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) front 1a) front 1b) in the opposite direction prep 2) in front of 2a) in front of 2b) (with prefix) 2b1) towards the front of, to the front of, on the front of 2b2) from the front of, off the front of, close in front of, on the forefront of
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: (over) against, before, (fore-) front, from, (God-) ward, toward, with. See also: Exodus 18:19; Deuteronomy 11:30; Micah 2:8.
פְּנֵ֤י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הַ/מִּלְחָמָה֙
milchâmâh
H4421
"battle"
Art | N-fs
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
הַֽ/חֲזָקָ֔ה
châzâq
H2389
"strong"
Art | Adj
Strong refers to something or someone powerful, but often in a bad sense, like being severe or hard, as translated in the KJV.
Definition: 1) strong, stout, mighty 1a) strong 1a1) severe, sharp, hot 1a2) firm, hard 1b) a strong one (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: harder, hottest, [phrase] impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff(-hearted), strong(-er). See also: Exodus 3:19; 1 Kings 18:2; Psalms 35:10.
וְ/שַׁבְתֶּ֥ם
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Qal-2mp
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
מֵ/אַחֲרָ֖י/ו
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep | Prep | Suff
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
וְ/נִכָּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Niphal-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
וָ/מֵֽת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 11:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 11:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 11:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 11:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:15
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:15
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 11:15
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:15
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 11:15
Context — David Arranges Uriah’s Death
13Then David invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and he got Uriah drunk. And in the evening Uriah went out to lie down on his cot with his master’s servants, but he did not go home.
14The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.
15In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”
16So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers were. 17And when the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of David’s servants fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 12:9 | Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. |
| 2 | Psalms 51:4 | Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 20:13 | Sing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 18:17 | Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” |
| 5 | Psalms 51:14 | Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 11:17 | And when the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of David’s servants fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died. |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 18:21 | “I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.” |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 18:25 | Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. |
2 Samuel 11:15 Summary
In this verse, David is trying to get rid of Uriah, the husband of the woman he had an affair with, by putting him on the front lines of battle and then withdrawing the troops, so that Uriah will be killed. This is a tragic example of how our sins can lead us to do terrible things, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-16. David's actions were motivated by a desire to cover up his own sin, but ultimately, they led to even more sin and heartache, as seen in the consequences that follow in 2 Samuel 12:1-14. We can learn from David's mistakes by being honest with God and seeking forgiveness when we sin, just as David did in Psalm 51:1-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David order the death of Uriah?
David ordered the death of Uriah because he wanted to cover up his sin with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, as seen in 2 Samuel 11:15, and he was trying to avoid the consequences of his actions, much like Adam and Eve tried to hide from God in Genesis 3:8.
Was David's actions justified in any way?
No, David's actions were not justified, as he was trying to have Uriah killed to cover up his own sin, which is a grave offense against God and goes against the teachings of Exodus 20:17, which prohibits coveting and murder.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of David's life?
This verse is a pivotal moment in David's life, as it shows the depths of his sin and the consequences of his actions, which ultimately lead to the death of his son, as prophesied in 2 Samuel 12:14, and serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and forgiveness, as seen in Psalm 51:1-19.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I try to cover up my own sins, and how can I learn to be more honest with God and myself?
- How can I apply the principle of Galatians 6:7-8, which says that we reap what we sow, to my own life and actions?
- In what ways can I seek forgiveness and restoration when I have sinned, just as David did in Psalm 51:1-19?
- What are some warning signs that I may be heading down a path of sin, and how can I seek help and accountability from others?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 11:15
And he wrote in the letter, saying,.... Giving the following orders to Joab: set ye Uriah is the forefront of the hottest battle: over against that part of the city where the enemy was strongest, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 11:15
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. Set ye Uriah in the fore front of the hottest battle.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:15
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.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:15
2 Samuel 11:15 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.Ver. 15. Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle.] Here David schemes it indeed with hellish skill: little thinking how heavily this crimson sin would shortly lie upon his conscience, putting him to no less pain than if all his bones had been broken. Joab possibly might not know the cause of this bloody letter, but gather by it that Uriah had some way deserved death, howbeit he could not but know that by the law none should be put to death without witnesses, two or three, produced against him; his obedience, therefore, to so tyrannical a command cannot be justified.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:15
(15) Retire ye from him.—This part of David’s orders was not carried out. Perhaps Joab thought it would make the stratagem too evident, or perhaps it was impracticable. At all events, the consequence was that others were slain with Uriah, and thus a larger blood-guiltiness fell upon David.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 11:15
15. that he may be smitten, and die] So blinded was David by his passion, and so eager to screen himself and Bath-sheba from the disgrace of exposure, that he did not shrink from plotting the murder of one of his bravest soldiers. The King’s command was sufficient warrant to Joab, without inquiry into the reason for it.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 11:15
15. That he may be smitten — By a similar device Saul had once sought the bringing about of David’s death. Comp. 1 Samuel 18:17; 1 Samuel 18:25.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 11:15
| Sermon | Description | |
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Making Grace Amazing by Ray Comfort | Ray Comfort emphasizes the importance of the Law in leading sinners to recognize their need for God's forgiveness. By illustrating how the Law exposes our transgressions and makes |
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Keys to Spiritual Growth - Part 3 by John MacArthur | This sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth in the Christian life, highlighting the ongoing process of maturing in faith. It stresses the need for believers to contin |
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Wash & Be Clean by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. The only one we can glorify is Jesus. Salvation is not achieved through our own works or e |
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Despising a Holy God by Art Katz | Art Katz emphasizes the gravity of sin as an offense against a holy God, drawing from Psalm 51:4 where David acknowledges his transgressions. He argues that until we recognize sin |
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The Great Evil of All Sin - Part 2 by Richard Owen Roberts | This sermon delves into the concept of sin and its roots, emphasizing that all individuals are born as sinners and children of the devil, not as children of God. It explores the st |
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Conscience Void of Offense by Edsel Troutmann | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of getting saved at a young age to avoid the consequences of sin later in life. He believes that everyone has a responsibilit |
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Then Said Saul, I Have Sinned. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer explores the distinction between worldly sorrow and godly repentance, using Saul's confession of sin as a primary example. He emphasizes that Saul's acknowledgment of hi |