2 Samuel 11 3

2 Samuel 11:3 kjv

And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

2 Samuel 11:3 nkjv

So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"

2 Samuel 11:3 niv

and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite."

2 Samuel 11:3 esv

And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"

2 Samuel 11:3 nlt

He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite."

2 Samuel 11 verses

2 Samuel 11 3 Meaning

This verse details David's intentional act of inquiry concerning the woman he had observed bathing. Upon sending for information, he received a clear, rhetorical identification of her: "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" This specific naming confirmed her identity, her distinguished lineage through her father Eliam (who was the son of Ahithophel, David's trusted counselor), and, critically, her marital status as the wife of Uriah, one of David's loyal and prominent warriors, specifically a Hittite by origin. The information provided removed any ambiguity regarding her status, turning David's initial lustful gaze into a deliberate pursuit of another man's wife.

2 Samuel 11 3 Context

2 Samuel chapter 11 opens with David remaining in Jerusalem while his armies, led by Joab, are engaged in war against the Ammonites. This initial detail in 2 Samuel 11:1—that David did not go out to battle "at the time when kings go out to battle"—is critical, as it sets the stage for his subsequent temptation and sin. His presence at home allowed for the opportune moment when he saw Bathsheba bathing from his rooftop. Verse 3 immediately follows David's initial act of observing her (v.2) and his consequent desire to know more about her. This verse signifies a critical turning point where David moves beyond mere observation to active investigation. Historically, kings had power and privilege, but they were still bound by the Law of Moses, which severely condemned adultery, making this a grave transgression for a divinely appointed leader. Bathsheba's specific identification—daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite—elevates David's transgression from a rash moment of lust into a deliberate violation against a loyal family, knowing full well her status and connections.

2 Samuel 11 3 Word analysis

• So David sent: This phrase signifies a deliberate and authoritative action on David's part. The Hebrew word for 'sent' is shalach (שׁלח), implying commissioning someone with a task. This was not a passive reaction but an active initiative taken by the king, using his royal power to pursue a woman who had caught his eye. It reveals the escalating nature of his sin.
• and inquired: The Hebrew term is darash (דרשׁ), which means to seek, search, or investigate with diligence, often implying seeking wisdom or consulting God. Here, it is perverted for sinful purposes, showing David's active pursuit of knowledge about the woman. He wasn't merely curious but intent on gaining information necessary for his next steps.
• about the woman: Referring to Bathsheba, observed in the previous verse. This indicates his specific interest in her identity beyond just her appearance.
• And one said: This indicates an unnamed servant or messenger providing the requested information. The anonymity highlights the simple, direct confirmation given to the king's inquiry, as if her identity was readily known to those around the court.
• Is this not Bathsheba: This is presented as a rhetorical question, implying her well-known identity. It confirms that she was not an obscure figure but a woman recognized within David's royal or military circle. Her name, בַּת־שֶׁבַע (Bat-Sheva), potentially means "daughter of an oath" or "daughter of seven," carrying a symbolic weight, though its immediate significance is her identification.
• the daughter of Eliam: This detail reveals her specific lineage. Eliam is identified elsewhere (2 Sam 23:34) as one of David's mighty men, indicating Bathsheba came from a noble and reputable family connected to David's court. More critically, Eliam was the son of Ahithophel (2 Sam 15:12), David's wise counselor who later betrayed him. This familial link adds a profound layer of future tragic irony, suggesting a potential motivation for Ahithophel's later defection.
• the wife of Uriah the Hittite?: This critical piece of information explicitly states her marital status and her husband's identity and ethnicity.
  • Uriah: His name, אוּרִיָּה ('Uriyah), means "Yahweh is my light" or "Yahweh is my flame." This is ironic given David, the one who should embody God's light, extinguishes Uriah's.
  • the Hittite: This refers to his ethnicity. Hittites were non-Israelites who had assimilated into Israelite society, serving in high capacities within David's army. Uriah's presence among David's elite warriors (2 Sam 23:39) signifies his unwavering loyalty, bravery, and integrity. This accentuates the depth of David's sin; he violated the wife of a loyal, dedicated, and perhaps even spiritually minded foreign officer in his own service, showcasing David's betrayal of both Uriah's trust and his own kingly responsibility.

2 Samuel 11 3 Bonus section

The immediate and specific identification of Bathsheba, rather than a more generic response, suggests she was a known figure within David's royal court or the broader community in Jerusalem. The explicit mention of "Uriah the Hittite" not only confirms her marital status but immediately highlights Uriah's standing as a highly esteemed and exceptionally loyal warrior in David's inner circle of mighty men. His foreign background as a Hittite (a people often viewed with suspicion in ancient Near Eastern contexts unless specifically allied) actually accentuates his deep fidelity to David and to Israel. This sets up a profound contrast between Uriah's steadfast faithfulness even unto death and David's grave disloyalty and moral failure as a king, husband, and friend. This sin becomes a permanent blemish on David's legacy, often noted explicitly in later biblical accounts, as seen in 1 Kings 15:5, confirming its profound theological and historical significance. The tragic link to Bathsheba's grandfather, Ahithophel, further suggests that his later betrayal of David during Absalom's rebellion might have roots in this specific act against his family's honor.

2 Samuel 11 3 Commentary

2 Samuel 11:3 is a pivotal moment in David's moral descent, marking a shift from internal temptation to overt sin. After merely observing Bathsheba, David deliberately seeks information about her, indicating a willful pursuit rather than a fleeting impulse. The confirmation of her identity as Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam (and thus granddaughter of Ahithophel, his trusted counselor), and especially "wife of Uriah the Hittite," is crucial. This information placed David in full knowledge of her marital status and Uriah's distinguished position as one of his loyal Mighty Men, transforming what might have been a spontaneous misstep into a premeditated transgression. David's choice, made in full awareness of the sanctity of marriage and the loyalty of Uriah, sets in motion a catastrophic chain of events that will bring God's judgment, expose his character flaws, and plunge his household into chaos and tragedy for years to come. The verse highlights the accountability that comes with knowing the full implications of one's actions, especially for a leader entrusted by God.