2 Samuel 11 2

2 Samuel 11:2 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 11:2 nkjv

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.

2 Samuel 11:2 niv

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,

2 Samuel 11:2 esv

It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.

2 Samuel 11:2 nlt

Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.

2 Samuel 11 verses

2 Samuel 11 2 Meaning

2 Samuel 11:2 details the fateful moment that initiated King David's grievous sin with Bathsheba. It describes David's shift from a period of inactivity to observing a woman bathing from his rooftop, specifically noting her exceptional beauty. This verse establishes the conditions—David's idleness during wartime and the temptation arising from his gaze—that led to the subsequent chain of adultery, deception, and murder. It marks a pivotal downward turn in David's personal life and reign, rooted in an unholy gaze and unrestrained desire.

2 Samuel 11 2 Context

This verse follows directly from 2 Samuel 11:1, which states that "at the turn of the year, when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab and his servants with him... But David remained in Jerusalem." This establishes a critical contrast: while other kings (and David himself, historically) were leading their armies, David was idle. This idleness during a time of expected duty sets the stage for his spiritual vulnerability. The "eventide" (early evening) would typically be a time of winding down, adding to the atmosphere of relaxation and reduced vigilance, further contrasting with the rigors of battle. The royal palace rooftop, while providing a panoramic view, was also a space for leisure, which in this case turned into a place of dangerous observation.

2 Samuel 11 2 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - wayhî): A very common Hebrew narrative connector, indicating a sequence of events. Here, it signals the commencement of a pivotal incident, often with significant consequences.
• at eventide (לְעֵת עֶרֶב - lĕʿēt ʿerev): Literally "at the time of evening." This specifies the timing, typically late afternoon or early evening. It contrasts sharply with the earlier verse, where kings were meant to be on the battlefield. This timing highlights David's shift from royal duty to personal relaxation, creating opportunity for temptation.
• that David arose (וַיָּקָם דָּוִד - wayyāqom Dāwid): "Arose" suggests a deliberate action to move from a state of rest or recline. This active choice sets the stage for what he does next.
• from off his bed (מִמִּשְׁכָּבוֹ - mimmishkābō): Emphasizes his preceding state of leisure or rest, reinforcing the notion that he was not engaged in his expected duties as king and commander. It underlines his self-indulgence at a crucial time.
• and walked (וַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ - wayyithallēḵ): This Hithpael form often conveys a reflexive or habitual action, suggesting pacing or strolling. It implies an unhurried, perhaps aimless movement, creating an opportunity for discovery.
• upon the roof (עַל גַּג - ʿal gag): The rooftop was a common feature of ancient Israelite homes, used for sleeping, gathering, or enjoying breezes, especially in warmer climates. It also afforded privacy from street level but visibility from other elevated points. For a king, it was also a place from which to observe his city.
• of the king's house (בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ - bêt hammèleḵ): Specifies that this is David's own royal residence, underscoring his position and the power that would soon be misused.
• and from the roof he saw (וַיַּרְא מֵעַל הַגָּג - wayyarʾ mēʿal haggāg): This marks the crucial turning point. The verb "saw" (רָאָה - raʾah) indicates a direct perception. David was actively in a position to see, and he did.
• a woman washing herself (אִשָּׁה מִתְרַחֶצֶת - ʾiššāh mitraḥeṣet): The woman (Bathsheba, though not named here) is performing a common act of hygiene or ritual purification (e.g., after menstruation, Lev 15:19-24). The Hithpael form of the verb "to wash" indicates a reflexive action, she was washing herself, implying privacy from her perspective. The text attributes no blame to her for being seen; her act was ordinary and private.
• and the woman was very beautiful to look upon (וְהָאִשָּׁה טֹובַת מַרְאֶה מְאֹד - wĕhāʾiššāh ṭôvat marʾeh mĕʾod): This descriptive phrase, "good of sight, exceedingly," is used frequently in the Old Testament to describe someone exceptionally attractive (e.g., Sarah, Gen 12:11; Rachel, Gen 29:17). While it explains why David's gaze lingered and led to desire, it does not justify his subsequent actions. It highlights the potent temptation presented to David's eye.

• "at eventide, that David arose from off his bed": This phrase contrasts David's comfortable inactivity at home with the expectations of a king leading in battle (2 Sam 11:1). It highlights a deviation from duty, creating the vacuum that allowed for moral failure.
• "walked upon the roof... from the roof he saw": The repetition of "roof" emphasizes the elevated vantage point from which David initiated his actions. This active "seeing" and remaining to observe marks the moment his temptation began to take root.
• "a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon": This is a powerful causal sequence. The woman is simply engaged in a private, mundane act. It is David's seeing and his perception of her exceptional beauty that fuels his illicit desire, marking the beginning of the sinful path rather than an innocent observation.

2 Samuel 11 2 Bonus section

This verse offers a crucial lesson on the origin of sin, not in external circumstances or the actions of others, but in the internal state and choices of the individual. While Bathsheba was seen performing a normal act, the sin arose from David's decision to continue looking, to desire, and then to act. This serves as a stark warning that complacency in one's spiritual duties and idleness can expose one to unexpected and severe temptations. It underscores the biblical principle that the heart is the wellspring of life, and what enters through the eyes can quickly corrupt the heart, leading to destructive choices. The entire narrative of 2 Samuel 11-12, starting from this verse, is a sober testament to the profound consequences that a single unchecked glance and unconfessed desire can unleash upon individuals, families, and even nations.

2 Samuel 11 2 Commentary

2 Samuel 11:2 acts as the narrative trigger for one of the darkest chapters in King David's life. It succinctly describes how David's departure from duty (idleness, 2 Sam 11:1) created the circumstances for his vulnerability to temptation. His casual stroll on his palace roof led to his gaze falling upon Bathsheba. The detailed description of her washing and her profound beauty is critical; it is not merely an observation but the catalyst for David's lust. The verse illustrates the rapid progression from leisure to looking, and then from looking to lust, setting in motion a cascade of devastating sins: adultery, deception, and murder. It powerfully demonstrates that even a "man after God's own heart" can be tripped by unchecked desire, starting with the very subtle act of a wandering eye and an idle heart. The tragic irony lies in David's being in a position of royal oversight yet failing to govern himself.