2 Samuel 11:9 kjv
But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
2 Samuel 11:9 nkjv
But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house.
2 Samuel 11:9 niv
But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master's servants and did not go down to his house.
2 Samuel 11:9 esv
But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house.
2 Samuel 11:9 nlt
But Uriah didn't go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king's palace guard.
2 Samuel 11 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 10:9 | Whoever walks in integrity walks securely... | Integrity vs. deceit. |
| Prov 11:3 | The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. | Integrity as a guide. |
| Ps 37:23-24 | The steps of a man are established by the LORD... he will not be cast headlong... | God establishes the steps of the upright. |
| 1 Sam 21:4-5 | ...but the young men have kept themselves from women... | Military discipline; abstinence during service. |
| Deut 23:9-10 | When you are at war and arrayed against your enemies... then you shall keep yourself from every evil thing... If any man among you becomes unclean... then he shall go outside the camp. | Camp purity; self-discipline in wartime. |
| 2 Tim 2:3-4 | Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits... | Soldier's single-minded devotion. |
| 1 Cor 9:25 | Every athlete exercises self-control in all things... | Discipline and self-control. |
| Phil 2:20-21 | For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. | Seeking others' interests over one's own. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition... but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. | Humility and selflessness. |
| Neh 13:6-7 | While all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem... Then I came to Jerusalem and discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah... | Loyalty in absence and awareness of wrongdoings. |
| Ps 32:3-4 | For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away... your hand was heavy upon me... | David's unconfessed sin and inner turmoil. |
| Jas 1:14-15 | But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. | Process of sin David engaged in. |
| Num 32:23 | But if you do not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out. | Sin exposed eventually. |
| Prov 28:13 | Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. | Concealment vs. confession. |
| Gen 39:9 | There is no one greater in this house than I... How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? | Joseph's refusal of temptation/adultery. |
| Ps 7:14-16 | Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief... He digs a pit and makes it deep, and falls into the hole that he has made. | David digging a trap for Uriah. |
| Prov 21:2 | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. | Contrast of human perception and divine judgment. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature... For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” | Judging the heart (Uriah's purity vs. David's). |
| Heb 11:32-34 | ...Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel... who through faith conquered kingdoms... gained what was promised, stopped the mouths of lions... became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. | Uriah's character mirrors faithful warriors. |
| Eph 6:10-18 | Finally, be strong in the Lord... put on the whole armor of God... stand firm. | Standing firm in the face of temptation/adversity. |
2 Samuel 11 verses
2 Samuel 11 9 Meaning
This verse describes Uriah the Hittite's exemplary conduct after King David sent him home from the war front. Instead of going to his own house for personal comfort and marital relations, Uriah slept at the entrance of the king's palace alongside the other royal servants and soldiers. This act unknowingly foiled King David's devious plan to conceal his adultery with Bathsheba by making it appear Uriah was the father of the child conceived. Uriah's decision highlights his profound loyalty, military discipline, and integrity, standing in stark contrast to King David's deceptive and self-serving actions.
2 Samuel 11 9 Context
This verse is pivotal in the narrative of King David's moral downfall. It directly follows David's sinful act of adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of his most loyal and brave warriors who was away fighting Israel's battles. David's initial attempt to cover his sin was to send for Uriah from the battlefield, ostensibly to inquire about the war, but in reality, to have him sleep with his wife so that any ensuing pregnancy could be attributed to Uriah. Verse 9 details Uriah's initial refusal to cooperate with David's plan, setting the stage for David's escalating deception and the eventual tragic murder of Uriah. The setting is Jerusalem, far from the war front, where David remained while his armies, including Uriah, fought against the Ammonites at Rabbah.
2 Samuel 11 9 Word analysis
- And Uriah (וְא֣וּרִיָּ֗ה – Wə’ūriyyāh): "Uriah" means "My Light is Yahweh." This name, indicative of devotion to God, ironically foreshadows his character, which shines with integrity in stark contrast to King David's spiritual darkness at this moment. He was a Hittite, a foreign nation, yet his loyalty and conduct surpassed that of his Israelite king, showcasing God's work in individuals regardless of origin.
- slept (וַיִּשְׁכַּ֗ב – wayyiškaḇ): Literally "lay down." This is a deliberate action taken by Uriah. It implies more than just resting; it signifies his intentional choice not to go to his own house, even though David commanded him to do so.
- at the door (פֶּ֙תַח֙ בֵּית־ – peṯaḥ bêṯ-): Referring specifically to the entrance or gateway area of the king's house. This was a common place for servants or soldiers to rest while on duty, signifying a state of readiness and availability rather than retreating to a private, comfortable dwelling.
- of the king's house (הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ – hamměleḵ): Emphasizes that he remained within the sphere of royal duty and military protocol. He chose proximity to the king and his service rather than seeking his personal home.
- with all the servants (עַל־כָּל־עַבְדֵ֖י – ‘al-kāl-‘aḇdê): Signifies his solidarity and adherence to military standards. As a loyal soldier, Uriah identified with his comrades who were also away from their homes and ready for duty. It showcases his shared commitment to the hardships of war, even when "off-duty" in Jerusalem.
- of his lord (אֲדֹנָ֑יו – ’ăḏōnāyw): Refers to King David. Uriah's commitment and sense of duty were ultimately to David as his superior, unknowingly serving a king who was conspiring against him.
- and went not down (וְלֹֽא־יָרַד֙ – wəloʾ yāraḏ): This negative phrasing highlights Uriah's conscious and specific refusal to obey David's underlying purpose. "Went not down" often refers to descending from the typically higher palace area to the lower residential areas of the city.
- to his house (אֶל־בֵּיתֹֽו – ’el-bêṯōw): His personal dwelling where his wife Bathsheba resided. His refusal was critical, as it prevented David's scheme to cover his sin with Bathsheba. It demonstrates Uriah's prioritizing of duty over personal desire or convenience.
- Uriah slept...with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house: This group of words paints a complete picture of Uriah's deep sense of loyalty and duty as a soldier. Even when given leave, he considered himself "on duty" alongside his fellow warriors, refusing the comforts of home while his comrades were still facing hardships on the battlefield. This adherence to military discipline and brotherhood unknowingly exposed David's hidden agenda. His self-imposed abstinence stands in stark moral opposition to David's self-indulgence.
2 Samuel 11 9 Bonus section
Uriah's exemplary behavior in this verse and his subsequent explanation in verse 11 suggest a possible deep understanding and application of Old Testament purity laws and military ethics, even for a "Hittite." This showcases that righteousness is not limited by national origin but flows from devotion and discipline. The narrative subtly uses Uriah as a foil to David, where the "foreigner" proves to be more "Israelite" in his ethical conduct than the king himself, a significant thematic undertone. This scenario is a testament to the internal conflict David faced between his past devotion to God and his present lust and deceit, marking a turning point in his reign that led to significant consequences for himself and his house.
2 Samuel 11 9 Commentary
2 Samuel 11:9 is a quiet but profoundly significant verse that spotlights the unyielding integrity of Uriah the Hittite, setting it in direct, piercing contrast to King David's morally compromised character. Uriah, a warrior loyal to his core, adheres to the strict code of conduct expected of soldiers at war, abstaining from marital intimacy and personal comfort while his fellow soldiers are on the battlefield. His choice to sleep with the other servants at the palace entrance, instead of going to his private dwelling, speaks volumes about his discipline, solidarity, and prioritization of duty to his king and nation above all else. Unaware of the trap laid by David, Uriah's honorable actions expose the escalating wickedness of a king consumed by sin and desperately trying to conceal it. This verse is crucial as it demonstrates Uriah's steadfast character, making David's subsequent plot to murder him even more heinous and indefensible.