Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP XI.

AND it came to pass, that ‡ 1.1 after the year was expired at the time when kings go forth b 1.2 to battel c 1.3 that * 1.4 David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah d 1.5, but David tarried still at Jerusalem.* 1.6

2 ¶ And it came to pass in an evening-tide, that David arose from off his bed e 1.7, and walked upon the roof f 1.8 of the kings house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing her self g 1.9: and the wo∣man was very beautiful to look upon.

3 And David sent and enquired after the wo∣man h 1.10: and one said, Is not this Bath-sheba i 1.11 the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hitt•…•…te k 1.12?

4 And David sent messengers, and took her l 1.13, and she came in unto him m 1.14, and he * 1.15 lay with her (‡ 1.16 for she was purified from her uncleanness) n 1.17 and she returned unto her house.* 1.18

5 And the woman conceived, and sent, and told David, and said, I am with child o 1.19.

6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite: And Joab sent Uriah to Da∣vid.

7 And when Uriah was come unto him, Da∣vid demanded of him ‡ 1.20 how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered p 1.21?

8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house q 1.22, and wash thy feet r 1.23. And Uriah departed out of the kings house, and there ‡ 1.24 followed him a mess of meat from the king s 1.25.

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the kings

house with all the servants of his lord t 1.26, and went not down to his house.

10 And when they had told * 1.27 David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey u 1.28? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark x 1.29, and Israel, and Judah abide in tents, and * 1.30 my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord are en∣camped in the open fields y 1.31; shall I then go into mine house to eat, and to drink, and to lie with my wife z 1.32? As thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem, that day and the mor∣row.

13 And when David had called him ▪ 1.33, he did eat and drink before him, and he made him drunk a 1.34: and at even he went out to lie on his bed b 1.35 with the servants of his lord c 1.36, but went not down to his house.

14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the ‡ 1.37 hottest battel, and retire ye ‡ 1.38 from him, that he may be smitten and die d 1.39.

16 And it came to pass when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were e 1.40.

17 And the men of the city went out and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David, and Uriah the Hittite died also.

18 Then Joab sent, and told David all the things concerning the war:

19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king;

20 And if so be that the kings wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

21 Who smote * 1.41 Abimelech the son of Jerub∣besheth? ▪ 1.42 did not a woman cast a piece of a mil∣stone upon him from the wall, that he died in The∣bez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also f 1.43.

22 So the messenger went and came, and shew∣ed 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 entring of the gate g 1.44.

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 ‡ 1.45 dis∣please thee h 1.46: for the sword devoureth † one as* 1.47 well as another: make thy battel more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him i 1.48.

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 k 1.49, David sent and •…•…et her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son l 1.50: but the thing that Da∣vid had done m 1.51, ‡ 1.52 displeased the LORD.

Notes

• ‡ 1.1

  Heb. at the return of the year.
• b 1.2

  Which is, when the ground is fit for the March of Soldiers, and brings forth Provision for Man and Beast.
• c 1.3

  These words are to be un∣derstood here, as Gen. 10. 11. and 14. 8.
• * 1.4

  1 Chron. 20. 1.
• d 1.5

  The Chief and Royal City of the Ammonites, Deut. 3. 11.
• * 1.6

  a When that year ended, and the next begun, which was in the Spring-time, Exod. 12. 2.
• e 1.7

  Where he had lain, and slept for sometime; being possi∣bly disposed to sleep after Dinner, by reason of some Excels committed in Eating, or Drinking; and indulging himself in his Lazy Humour, which may seem very improper for so great a Prince and Captain, who had so many and great Burdens upon his Shoulders, especially in a time of War; and therefore such Practises have been condemned by Hea∣thens: and Homer will not allow a General and great Coun∣seller to sleep all the Night, much less to take any part of the Day for it. And therefore this is thought to be David's first Error, and the occasion of his following Fall.
• f 1.8

  Which was plain after the manner, Deut. 22. 8.
• g 1.9

  To wit, in a Bath, which possibly was in her Garden; or in some room near to the King's Palace, where she might wash her self divers ways, and for different ends; either for health, or coolness, or to cleanse her self from some kind of legal Im∣purity: where also, the Windows being open, and she care∣less, David might espie her.
• h 1.10

  Instead of suppressing that Lust which the sight of his Eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first en∣quires who she was; that, if she were unmarried, he might make her either his Wife, or his Concubine
• i 1.11

  Called also Bathshua, 1 Chron. 3. 5. where also Fliam is called Ammiel.
• k 1.12

  So called, either, 1. By his Original, being born either of that Race, but become a zealous Proselyte; or, at least, among that People. Or, 2. By his Habitation among them. Or, 3. For some notable Exploit of his against that Peo∣ple: See 1 Sam. 26. 6. and the notes on 2 Sam. 8. 18.
• l 1.13

  From her own House into his Palace, not by force, but by perswasion, as desiring to speak with her.
• m 1.14

  Into his Palace and Chamber, as he desired.
• * 1.15

  Psal. 51. title.
• ‡ 1.16

  Heb. and she was purifying her self from her unclean∣ness. So Gr.
• n 1.17

  To wit, from her menstruous Pollution, according to the Law, Levit. 18. 19. Which is here noted, as the reason, either why David pur∣sued his Lustful desire; or why she so easily yielded to it, because she was not under that Pollution which might ali∣enate her from it; or rather, why she so readily conceived, that time being observed by Aristotle and others, to be the most likely time for Conception.
• * 1.18

  * Lev. 15. 19. and 18. 19.
• o 1.19

  Consider therefore what to do for thy own honour, and for my safety, whom thou hast brought into a most shame∣ful and dangerous condition.
• ‡ 1.20

  Heb. of the peace of, &c.
• p 1.21

  Frivolous Questions which any common Messenger could have answered: which probably made Uriah suspect that there was some other secret cause why he was sent for. And he might understand something, either by David's Messengers, v. 4. or by some of his own Family, concern∣ing her being sent for to the Court: which together with other Circumstances might give him cause of further suspi∣tion. Yet such might be the Questions (though not here par∣ticularly mentioned) concerning those Heads, as every pri∣vate person might not be acquainted with, nor able to resolve, but such onely as were acquainted with the Counsel of War.
• q 1.22

  Not doubting but he would there Converse with his Wife, and so cover their Sin and Shame.
• r 1.23

  As Travellers there used to do.
• ‡ 1.24

  Heb. went out after him
• s 1.25

  Seemingly as a Testimony of David's respect and Affection to him; but really to cheer up his Spirits, and dispose him to desire his Wives company.
• t 1.26

  With the King's Guard. This he did, either upon some suspition of the matter, See v. 7. Or, by the secret direction of Gods wise and irresistible Providence, who would bring David's Sin to light.
• * 1.27

  Whether of their own accord, or being first asked by David, it doth not appear.
• u 1.28

  Wearied with hard service and Travel, and therefore didst need refreshment; nor did I ex∣pect or desire that thou shouldest now attend upon my Person, or keep the Watch.
• x 1.29

  Which it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual: See Numb 10. 35. 1 Sam. 4. 4.
• * 1.30

  Chap. 20. 6.
• y 1.31

  To wit, in Tents which are in the Fields.
• z 1.32

  He might possibly add these words, to in∣sinuate his apprehension of the King's Design, and to awaken his Conscience to the consideration of his Sin, and of the Injury which he had done him. His meaning is, Now when God's People are in a doubtful and dangerous Condition, it becomes me to Sympathize with them, and to abstain even from lawful Delights. Whereby he might possibly in∣timate, how unworthy it was for David in such a season to indulge himself in sinful and injurious Pleasures. But David's Ear was now Deaf, his Heart being hardned through the deceitfulness of Sin.
• ▪ 1.33

  i. e. Being invited by David.
• a 1.34

  Or, he made him mer∣ry, as the Word oft signifies. He caused him to Drink more than was convenient.
• b 1.35

  Which it doth not appear, that he did the Night before; but now his Excess in Eating and Drinking, might make it more necessary for him.
• c 1.36

  i. e. In some Chamber in the King's Court, where the Kings Ser∣vants used to take their Repose.
• ‡ 1.37

  Heb. strong.
• ‡ 1.38

  Heb. from af∣ter him.
• d 1.39

  So far is David from Repenting upon these just and great Occasions, that he seeks to cover one Sin with ano∣ther; and to hide his Adultery with Murder, even the Mur∣der of a most Excellent Person, and that in a most Malici∣ous and Perfidious manner.
• e 1.40

  Placed there to defend it, because that part of the City was supposed either the weakest, or the place designed for the Assault. Ioab having formerly committed a base Mur∣der upon Abner, was ready to execute this wicked Com∣mand of the King; that so he being involved in the same Guilt with him, might the more willingly receive him into favour.
• * 1.41

  Judg. 9. 53
• ▪ 1.42

  Called also Ierubbaal, Iudg. 9. 1. See the note on 2 Sam. 2. 8.
• f 1.43

  Which he knew would be acceptable news to the King, and therefore allay his Wrath. This indeed might make the Messenger suspect that David had an hand in Uriah's Death; and possibly Ioab might say so for that very reason, that these matters by degrees being known, Da∣vid might be hardned in Sin, and so Ioab might have the greater interest in him.
• g 1.44

  We beat them back, and pursued them even to the Gate.
• ‡ 1.45

  Heb. be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in thine 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• h 1.46

  Be not dejected or discouraged by this sad occasion.
• * 1.47

  ‡ Heb. So 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such.
• i 1.48

  i. e. Ioab, to proceed in the Siege.
• k 1.49

  Which was seven days, Gen. 50. 10. 1 Sam. 31. 13. Nor could the nature of the thing admit of longer delay, lest the too early birth of the Child might discover David's Sin.
• l 1.50

  By which it appears, That David continued in the state of Impenitency for divers Months together; and this notwithstanding his frequent attendance upon God's Ordi∣nances. Which is an eminent instance of the Corruption of Man's Nature which is even in the best; and, without Di∣vine Assistance, is too strong for them; of the deceitful∣ness of Sin, and of the tremendous Judgment of God in punishing one Sin, by delivering a man up to another.
• m 1.51

  i. e. His Adultery and Murder, as is evident from the next Chapter.
• ‡ 1.52

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉