2 samuel 12:9 - Why have you despised Yahweh’s word, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 12:9

What does "2 samuel 12:9" mean?


This verse from 2 Samuel 12:9 is the climax of the prophet Nathan's rebuke to King David after David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband, Uriah the Hittite, to be killed in battle. Let's break it down:

"Why have you despised Yahweh's word, to do that which is evil in his sight?" This is the core accusation. It means David disregarded God's commands and standards of morality. It wasn't just a mistake; it was a deliberate rejection of God's authority. "Despised" implies a deep disrespect and contempt.
"You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword..." This refers to David's manipulation of the battle to ensure Uriah's death. He effectively murdered Uriah by placing him in a position where he was certain to be killed.
"...and have taken his wife to be your wife..." This points directly to David's adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent marriage to her after Uriah's death. It highlights the selfish and opportunistic nature of David's actions. He took something that wasn't his and, in doing so, compounded his sin.
"...and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon." This emphasizes the indirect way David carried out the murder. He used the Ammonites (Israel's enemies) as the instrument of Uriah's death, attempting to distance himself from the act, but ultimately he was responsible.

In summary, the verse means:

God is accusing David of showing contempt for his law by committing adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrating the murder of her husband, Uriah. David abused his power as king to satisfy his lust and then tried to cover up his sin by eliminating Uriah. The prophet Nathan uses this verse to expose David's wickedness and make him realize the gravity of his actions. The verse underlines that David's actions weren't just personal failings but a direct offense against God and his established order.