2 Samuel 11:1-27, NLT
2 Samuel 11
David and Bathsheba
1In the spring of the year,*11:1 Hebrew At the turn of the year. The first day of the year in the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred in March or April. when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
2Late 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.
6Then David sent word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David.
10When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he summoned him and asked, “What’s the matter? Why didn’t you go home last night after being away for so long?”
11Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents,*11:11 Or at Succoth. and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.”
12“Well, stay here today,” David told him, “and tomorrow you may return to the army.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.
David Arranges for Uriah’s Death
14So the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver.
18Then Joab sent a battle report to David.
22So the messenger went to Jerusalem and gave a complete report to David.
25“Well, tell Joab not to be discouraged,” David said. “The sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow! Fight harder next time, and conquer the city!”
26When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him.