Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 11:22
So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
22. The Sept. reads this verse as follows: “And Joab’s messenger went to the king to Jerusalem. And he came and told David all that Joab had told him, even all the things concerning the war. And David was wroth with Joab, and said unto the messenger, Wherefore did ye approach unto the city to fight? Knew ye not that ye would be struck from the wall? Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal? Did not a woman cast upon him a piece of a millstone from the wall, and he died in Thebez? Wherefore did ye approach unto the wall?” Such a repetition may have formed part of the original text. But it is somewhat strange that Joab should anticipate the illustration which the king would use: and it is possible that the reference to Abimelech originally occurred in David’s speech only, and was transferred by mistake to that of Joab also, and finally in the revision of the Hebrew text omitted in the second place, instead of in the first, as it should have been.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
So the messenger went,…. From Joab, from the army before Rabbah:
and came; to David in Jerusalem, a course of sixty four miles:
and showed David all that Joab had sent him for; all the events of the war hitherto.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
David Takes Bathsheba, Vs. 22-27
Joab’s messenger faithfully reported the words of his captain to King David. However, he did not wait for David to protest-the venture too near the wall of Rabbah, in which a number of men had been lost, including that of Uriah. Perhaps he knew the reputation of David in dealing with those who brought bad news (2Sa 1:13-16; 2Sa 4:9-12), and wished to avert any such danger which might accrue him by his news. Indeed the account certainly revealed considerable carelessness on the part of the captain who sent his men to an area where certain death awaited them. Of course the reason for this sortie was to dispose of Uriah as David had instructed Joab.
David’s response was likely very astonishing to the messenger, for he uttered no outcry at all, but rather reassured him. He was relieved to know that Uriah was dead, and his sin with Bathsheba was still covered up. Others would not know that.she was not carrying the child of Uriah, David thought. The messenger was to return a hypocritical message to Joab that he not be overly concerned for the loss of a good captain like Uriah, for the sword destroyed both small and great. He was to encourage Joab, that he strengthen his attack and overthrow the city.
Bathsheba played her part in the hypocrisy, pretending mourning for her dead husband. Then when the prescribed period for mourning was past, she put away her widow’s frock and David moved her into the palace to be his wife. In time she bore him a son, the child of their adultery. All looked well on the surface, but it is known that there was great strife and turmoil in David’s heart, as revealed in Psalms 51, 32. Furthermore God’s feeling is revealed in the last words of chapter 11, “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” David had rejected the warning of Moses, “Ye have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out” (Num 32:23). It is no less true of men today than in the days of Moses or David.
Some thoughts to ponder: 1) One should turn away and call on the Lord upon the first impluse to indulge in sin; 2) complicity of others in one’s sin does not dilute his own guilt; 3) sin unconfessed will grow into a greater sin; 4) one’s individual sin does not often harm him alone, but extends to those whom he loves and who respect him; 5) all sins of men are well known to God and will eventually come to light.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Bathsheba Becomes Davids Wife. 2Sa. 11:22-27
22 So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the kings servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
25 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.
26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
27 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.
18.
What was Davids reaction? 2Sa. 11:25
When David got the full message delivered by the man sent by Joab, he sent word back to Joab in order to allay any suspicions which may have been aroused. He told the messenger to assure Joab that the king understood the reason for the strategy. He urged him not to be displeased on account of the outcome of the battle and became quite philosophical as he said, For the sword devoureth one as well as another. He sent word then that they should fight more valiantly against the city and overthrow it. Such would have been the normal message of a good king to a valiant soldier, and probably the messenger did not suspect anything.
19.
What was the apparent outcome of the matter? 2Sa. 11:26-27
Bathsheba entered into the usual period of mourning for her husband. Her mourning may have been sincere, for she was a victim of circumstances to a great degree. After the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to his palace. Bathsheba became his wife, and the child which was to be born would have been considered as theirs rightfully. The final verses of the chapter point out the true circumstances. What they had done was a sin against God. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good (Pro. 15:3). Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (Heb. 4:13).
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(22) So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. (23) And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. (24) And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. (25) 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.
Observe, how hardened the heart of David still remained. He hears of the death of Uriah, of the death of several of his brave servants, wholly on this account, for this dreadful sin of his. He hears of the triumph of the Ammonites in consequence thereof; and yet, in the midst of all, only sends a message to Joab, as if it was an ordinary event, and bids him be encouraged. What an awful state was he now in! Still hardened, unfeeling, and without the least remorse!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 11:22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.
Ver. 22. And showed David all. ] Playing his part notably to flatter, and make all fair weather, as they say.