This verse from 2 Samuel 11:3 is a crucial turning point in the story of David's sin. Let's break down what it means:
"David sent and inquired after the woman." This indicates that David, the King of Israel, saw a woman (Bathsheba) and was captivated by her beauty. Instead of turning away, he sent someone to find out who she was. This shows that David was already acting on his attraction. He was actively pursuing more information about her, which is the first step in a series of poor decisions.
"One said, 'Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, Uriah the Hittite’s wife?'" This is the informant's response to David's inquiry. It reveals several important details:
Bathsheba's name: Identifying her as Bathsheba establishes her identity within the narrative.
"The daughter of Eliam": This provides a social connection. Eliam was likely a known figure (and in fact, some scholars believe he may have been one of David's own mighty warriors). This means Bathsheba came from a reputable family.
"Uriah the Hittite's wife": This is the most significant piece of information. Uriah was a Hittite, a foreigner serving loyally in David's army. More importantly, he was married. The fact that Bathsheba was someone else's wife should have been a major deterrent for David.
In essence, this verse means that David, the King, was interested in a woman and took steps to find out who she was. The answer he received should have immediately stopped him in his tracks. He learned she was not only a woman of good standing but also married to one of his loyal soldiers. This information presented a significant moral and ethical boundary that David chose to ignore, setting the stage for the subsequent acts of adultery and murder described later in the chapter.
The verse highlights David's abuse of power and his disregard for the established social and moral codes. It underscores the idea that even powerful figures are not immune to temptation and the consequences of their choices.
This verse from 2 Samuel 11:3 is a crucial turning point in the story of David's sin. Let's break down what it means:
"David sent and inquired after the woman." This indicates that David, the King of Israel, saw a woman (Bathsheba) and was captivated by her beauty. Instead of turning away, he sent someone to find out who she was. This shows that David was already acting on his attraction. He was actively pursuing more information about her, which is the first step in a series of poor decisions.
"One said, 'Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, Uriah the Hittite’s wife?'" This is the informant's response to David's inquiry. It reveals several important details:
Bathsheba's name: Identifying her as Bathsheba establishes her identity within the narrative.
"The daughter of Eliam": This provides a social connection. Eliam was likely a known figure (and in fact, some scholars believe he may have been one of David's own mighty warriors). This means Bathsheba came from a reputable family.
"Uriah the Hittite's wife": This is the most significant piece of information. Uriah was a Hittite, a foreigner serving loyally in David's army. More importantly, he was married. The fact that Bathsheba was someone else's wife should have been a major deterrent for David.
In essence, this verse means that David, the King, was interested in a woman and took steps to find out who she was. The answer he received should have immediately stopped him in his tracks. He learned she was not only a woman of good standing but also married to one of his loyal soldiers. This information presented a significant moral and ethical boundary that David chose to ignore, setting the stage for the subsequent acts of adultery and murder described later in the chapter.
The verse highlights David's abuse of power and his disregard for the established social and moral codes. It underscores the idea that even powerful figures are not immune to temptation and the consequences of their choices.