Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, New Living Translation Late 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. English Standard Version It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. Berean Standard Bible One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass at the time of the evening, that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the house of the king. And he saw from the roof a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful of appearance. King James Bible And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. New King James Version Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. New American Standard Bible Now at evening time David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. NASB 1995 Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. NASB 1977 Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. Legacy Standard Bible Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. Amplified Bible One evening David got up from his couch and was walking on the [flat] roof of the king’s palace, and from there he saw a woman bathing; and she was very beautiful in appearance. Berean Annotated Bible One evening David (beloved) got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. Christian Standard Bible One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. Holman Christian Standard Bible One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. American Standard Version And it came to pass at eventide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. English Revised Version And it came to pass at eventide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. GOD'S WORD® Translation Now, when evening came, David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the royal palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, and she was very pretty. Good News Translation One day, late in the afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. As he walked around up there, he saw a woman taking a bath in her house. She was very beautiful. International Standard Version Late one afternoon about dusk, David got up from his couch and was walking around on the roof of the royal palace. From there he watched a woman taking a bath, and she was very beautiful to look at. NET Bible One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of his palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. Now this woman was very attractive. New Heart English Bible Now it happened one evening that David got up from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s palace; and he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful. Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOne evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. World English Bible At evening, David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to look at. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it comes to pass, at evening-time, that David rises from off his bed, and walks up and down on the roof of the king’s house, and sees a woman bathing from the roof, and the woman [is] of very good appearance, Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass at the time of the evening, that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the house of the king. And he saw from the roof a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful of appearance. Young's Literal Translation and it cometh to pass, at evening-time, that David riseth from off his couch, and walketh up and down on the roof of the king's house, and seeth from the roof a woman bathing, and the woman is of very good appearance, Smith's Literal Translation And it will be at the time of the evening, and David will rise from off his bed, and will go upon the roof of the king's house: and he will see from the roof a woman washing herself; and the woman good of aspect exceedingly. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIn the mean time it happened that David arose from his bed after noon, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and he saw from the roof of his house a woman washing herself, over against him: and the woman was very beautiful. Catholic Public Domain Version While these things were taking place, David happened to arise from his bed after midday, and he walked upon the terrace of the king’s house. And he saw, across from his terrace, a woman washing herself. And the woman was very beautiful. New American Bible One evening David rose from his bed and strolled about on the roof of the king’s house. From the roof he saw a woman bathing; she was very beautiful. New Revised Standard Version It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it came to pass in the evening that David arose from his bed and walked upon the roof of the king's house; and he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And at the time of evening, David arose from his bed and he walked on the roof of the house of his kingdom, and he saw one woman when she bathed, and the appearance of the woman was very beautiful OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it came to pass at eventide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house; and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass toward evening, that David arose off his couch, and walked on the roof of the king's house, and saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David and Bathsheba1In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab and his servants with the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing— a very beautiful woman. 3So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”… Cross References One evening David got up from his bed Proverbs 7:6-9 For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. / I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, / crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, … Proverbs 24:33-34 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. / For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. / But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. and strolled around on the roof of the palace. Acts 10:9 The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray. Matthew 24:17 Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. Deuteronomy 22:8 If you build a new house, you are to construct a railing around your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing— Exodus 2:5 Soon the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe in the Nile, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. And when she saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maidservant to retrieve it. Matthew 5:28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Job 31:1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin? a very beautiful woman. 1 Kings 1:3-4 Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. / The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her. Genesis 24:16 Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again. Esther 2:7 And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother. The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter. Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Proverbs 6:25 Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. Treasury of Scripture And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look on. arose from 2 Samuel 4:5,7 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon… Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. Proverbs 24:33,34 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: … the roof of Deuteronomy 22:8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence. Jeremiah 19:13 And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods. Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. he saw Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. Genesis 34:2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. very beautiful Genesis 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. Proverbs 6:25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Jump to Previous Afternoon Bathing Beautiful Bed Couch David Evening Eveningtide Eventide Herself House King's Late Palace Roof Walked Walking WashingJump to Next Afternoon Bathing Beautiful Bed Couch David Evening Eveningtide Eventide Herself House King's Late Palace Roof Walked Walking Washing2 Samuel 11 1. While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bathsheba6. Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, would not go home. 14. He carries to Joab the letter of his death 18. Joab sends the news thereof to David 26. David takes Bathsheba as his wife One evening David got up from his bed This 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. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing a very beautiful woman. 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. Bathsheba The woman whom David sees bathing. She is described as very beautiful and is the wife of Uriah the Hittite. 3. The Roof of the Palace The location where David observes Bathsheba. This setting is significant as it represents a place of power and vulnerability. 4. Evening The time of day when this event occurs, symbolizing a period of rest and reflection, yet it becomes a moment of temptation for David. 5. Jerusalem The 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 Idleness David was not where he was supposed to be—leading his army. Idleness can lead to vulnerability to temptation. The Ripple Effect of Sin This moment of temptation led to a series of sins (adultery, deceit, murder). Sin often has far-reaching consequences. Repentance and Restoration While 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 Community David 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. Compare Ecclesiastes 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 in Psalm 51 reveals that unchecked admiration led to adultery, deceit, and murder. summary 2 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 siesta customary 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: Evening David דָּוִ֜ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse got up וַיָּ֨קָם (way·yā·qām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand from מֵעַ֤ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against his bed מִשְׁכָּבוֹ֙ (miš·kā·ḇōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4904: Place of lying, a couch, act of lying and strolled around וַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ֙ (way·yiṯ·hal·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the roof גַּ֣ג (gaḡ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1406: A roof, the top of an altar of the palace. בֵּית־ (bêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house And from מֵעַ֣ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the roof הַגָּ֑ג (hag·gāḡ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1406: A roof, the top of an altar he saw וַיַּ֥רְא (way·yar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see a woman אִשָּׁ֛ה (’iš·šāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female bathing— רֹחֶ֖צֶת (rō·ḥe·ṣeṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe a very מְאֹֽד׃ (mə·’ōḏ) Adverb Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily beautiful טוֹבַ֥ת (ṭō·w·ḇaṯ) Adjective - feminine singular construct Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good woman. וְהָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה (wə·hā·’iš·šāh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female Links 2 Samuel 11:2 NIV2 Samuel 11:2 NLT 2 Samuel 11:2 ESV 2 Samuel 11:2 NASB 2 Samuel 11:2 KJV 2 Samuel 11:2 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 11:2 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 11:2 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 11:2 French Bible 2 Samuel 11:2 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 11:2 It happened at evening that David arose (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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