One evening David got up from his bedThis phrase sets the scene during the evening, a time often associated with rest and reflection. David, as king, had the luxury of rising from his bed at this time, indicating a period of leisure. The context here is significant because it was during the spring, a time when kings typically went to war (
2 Samuel 11:1), yet David remained in Jerusalem. This decision marks the beginning of a series of events leading to his moral failure. The evening can symbolize a time of vulnerability, as darkness often represents temptation and sin in biblical literature (
John 3:19-20).
and strolled around on the roof of the palace.
The roof of the palace was a place of privacy and vantage, common in ancient Near Eastern architecture. It provided a view over the city, symbolizing David's elevated status and authority. However, this physical elevation also foreshadows his moral descent. The act of strolling suggests idleness, which can lead to temptation, as seen inProverbs 16:27, where idle hands are described as the devil's workshop. The palace roof, a place of potential reflection and prayer, becomes instead a place of temptation.
And from the roof he saw a woman bathing
The act of seeing here is pivotal. In biblical narratives, seeing often precedes desire and sin, as with Eve inGenesis 3:6. The woman bathing indicates a private act, suggesting David's intrusion into a personal space. Bathing was a ritual act of purification, possibly linked to Levitical laws (Leviticus 15:19-24), highlighting the woman's innocence and the gravity of David's gaze. This moment marks the beginning of David's moral failure, as he allows his gaze to linger, leading to covetousness.
a very beautiful woman.
The description of the woman as "very beautiful" emphasizes the temptation David faced. Beauty in the Bible is often noted, as with Sarah (Genesis 12:11) and Rachel (Genesis 29:17), and can be both a blessing and a source of temptation. This beauty becomes a test of David's character, revealing his susceptibility to lust. The narrative does not name Bathsheba here, focusing instead on David's perspective and the objectification inherent in his gaze. This sets the stage for the ensuing sin, contrasting with the biblical ideal of inner beauty and godly character (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DavidThe King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who is at a pivotal moment in his life where he faces temptation and moral failure.
2.
BathshebaThe woman whom David sees bathing. She is described as very beautiful and is the wife of Uriah the Hittite.
3.
The Roof of the PalaceThe location where David observes Bathsheba. This setting is significant as it represents a place of power and vulnerability.
4.
EveningThe time of day when this event occurs, symbolizing a period of rest and reflection, yet it becomes a moment of temptation for David.
5.
JerusalemThe city where these events take place, the capital of Israel and the center of David's kingdom.
Teaching Points
Guarding the Eyes and HeartDavid's sin began with a look. We must be vigilant about what we allow our eyes to see and our hearts to desire.
The Danger of IdlenessDavid was not where he was supposed to be—leading his army. Idleness can lead to vulnerability to temptation.
The Ripple Effect of SinThis moment of temptation led to a series of sins (adultery, deceit, murder). Sin often has far-reaching consequences.
Repentance and RestorationWhile this passage focuses on David's failure, it sets the stage for his later repentance. God’s grace is available even after grave sin.
Accountability and CommunityDavid was alone when he fell into temptation. Having accountability partners can help us stay strong in moments of weakness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 11:2?
2.How does 2 Samuel 11:2 illustrate the dangers of idleness and temptation?
3.What can we learn from David's actions to guard our own hearts?
4.How does 2 Samuel 11:2 connect with Matthew 5:28 on lustful thoughts?
5.In what ways can we apply 2 Samuel 11:2 to modern-day distractions?
6.How can accountability help prevent situations like David's in 2 Samuel 11:2?
7.Why did David stay behind while his army went to war in 2 Samuel 11:2?
8.How does David's action in 2 Samuel 11:2 reflect on his character as a king?
9.What does 2 Samuel 11:2 reveal about the consequences of idleness and temptation?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 11?
11.In 2 Samuel 11:2–5, is Bathsheba’s rooftop bathing a plausible historical scenario or a narrative device?
12.How can the events of 2 Samuel 11 be reconciled with the traditional portrayal of David as a man after God's own heart?
13.Why did David desire Bathsheba despite her being married?
14.How can 1 Kings 15:5 declare David upright aside from Uriah’s case when there are other recorded sins in Scripture?What Does 2 Samuel 11:2 Mean
One evening- Scripture notes the specific setting: “evening.” Darkness often signals temptation or hidden activity (Proverbs 7:9;John 3:19-20).
- The literal time marker reminds us that even ordinary moments are seen by the Lord (Psalm 139:11-12).
- Application: temptation rarely announces itself; it can surface during quiet, unguarded hours.
David got up from his bed- David should have been with his army (2 Samuel 11:1), yet he is home, idle. CompareEcclesiastes 10:18—through laziness the rafters sag.
- Idleness opens doors the enemy eagerly walks through (2 Thessalonians 3:11;1 Timothy 5:13).
- The literal detail of rising from bed shows how quickly the mundane can turn spiritually dangerous.
And strolled around on the roof of the palace- Palace roofs in Jerusalem provided a vantage point over the city (Deuteronomy 22:8 presumes rooftop use).
- David’s stroll seems harmless, yet unpurposed wandering often precedes moral wandering (Genesis 3:6;1 Peter 5:8).
- Though king, David still lives under God’s gaze; high position never cancels accountability (James 3:1).
And from the roof he saw- Vision is the gateway to desire (Genesis 3:6;Joshua 7:21;Matthew 5:28).
- David’s “seeing” is not accidental curiosity; the verb hints at a lingering look that feeds lust (Job 31:1).
- Cross-referenced warning:1 John 2:16—“the lust of the eyes.”
A woman bathing- The act itself is innocent for her, yet David’s gaze converts the scene into temptation (Titus 1:15).
- Love for neighbor demands averting eyes when we risk defrauding another’s purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6).
- God’s Word records the event literally to expose the peril of private sin becoming public scandal (Numbers 32:23).
A very beautiful woman- Scripture does not downplay her beauty; it explains the strength of the temptation (Genesis 39:6-12).
- Beauty is God-given (Psalm 45:11) but becomes a snare when it replaces God as the object of desire (Proverbs 6:25).
- David’s later confession inPsalm 51 reveals that unchecked admiration led to adultery, deceit, and murder.
summary2 Samuel 11:2 traces the subtle, literal steps that led David from idle comfort to moral collapse: a quiet evening, a restless king, an aimless stroll, a lingering look, and a captivated heart. Scripture records each movement to warn that temptation often enters through ordinary doors. Guard the moments, guard the eyes, guard the heart (Proverbs 4:23), for the God who sees evening shadows also empowers faithful living in His light (1 Corinthians 10:13).
(2)
In an eveningtide.--Late in the afternoon, when David had taken the
siestacustomary in Oriental countries, he rose from his couch and walked on the roof of his palace, which in the cool of the day was the pleasantest part of an eastern house. This palace was on the height of Mount Zion, and looked down upon the open courts of the houses in the lower city. In one of these he saw a beautiful woman bathing. In the courts of the houses it was common to have a basin of water, and the place was probably entirely concealed from every other point of observation than the roof of the palace, from which no harm was suspected.
David's grievous fall was consequent upon his long course of uninterrupted prosperity and power, which had somewhat intoxicated him and thrown him off his guard. It is no part of the plan of Scripture to cover up or excuse the sins of even its greatest heroes and saints. This sin was followed by the deepest repentance and by the Divine forgiveness; nevertheless its punishment overclouded all the remaining years of David's life. His fall, as St. Augustine has said, should put upon their guard those who have not fallen, and save from despair those who have.
Verse 2. -
David arose from off his bed. It was usual in Palestine, and remains so in all hot countries, to take a siesta in the heat of the day (
2 Samuel 4:5); and, on awaking, David walked backward and forward on the fiat roof of his house (
1 Samuel 9:25), to enjoy the cool breezes of the evening. In so doing he was probably following his usual habits; but temptation came upon him, as so often is the case, unexpectedly. We are told that it is regarded in the East as improper for one neighbour to look over the battlement of his house into the inner court of the next dwelling (Philippson). Considering the jealousy with which Orientals guard the female members of their family from intrusion, it was a wrong act on the king's part to spy into what was going on in the recesses of the adjoining house. But he did so, and suffered for it years of disgrace and misery. For he saw a beautiful woman, the wife of one of his high officers, bathing, probably to purify herself from some legal uncleanness, such as those mentioned in
Leviticus 15. No blame, so far, must be attached to her. The place was regarded as perfectly secluded, and probably neither she nor Uriah had ever suspected that what went on there could be observed from the roof of the king's palace.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
One eveningהָעֶ֗רֶב(hā·‘e·reḇ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153:EveningDavidדָּוִ֜ד(dā·wiḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jessegot upוַיָּ֨קָם(way·yā·qām)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standfromמֵעַ֤ל(mê·‘al)Preposition-m
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againsthis bedמִשְׁכָּבוֹ֙(miš·kā·ḇōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4904:Place of lying, a couch, act of lyingand strolled aroundוַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ֙(way·yiṯ·hal·lêḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkonעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe roofגַּ֣ג(gaḡ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1406:A roof, the top of an altarof the palace.בֵּית־(bêṯ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A houseAnd fromמֵעַ֣ל(mê·‘al)Preposition-m
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe roofהַגָּ֑ג(hag·gāḡ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1406:A roof, the top of an altarhe sawוַיַּ֥רְא(way·yar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To seea womanאִשָּׁ֛ה(’iš·šāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femalebathing—רֹחֶ֖צֶת(rō·ḥe·ṣeṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 7364:To wash, wash off or away, bathea veryמְאֹֽד׃(mə·’ōḏ)Adverb
Strong's 3966:Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedilybeautifulטוֹבַ֥ת(ṭō·w·ḇaṯ)Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodwoman.וְהָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה(wə·hā·’iš·šāh)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, female
Links
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OT History: 2 Samuel 11:2 It happened at evening that David arose (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) 
