2 Samuel 11:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess [of meat] from the king.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then David said to Uriyah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." Uriyah left the king's palace and was followed by a present of food from the king.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then he said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king followed him.

American Standard Version:

And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of food from the king.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And David^{H1732} said^{H559} to Uriah^{H223}, Go down^{H3381} to thy house^{H1004}, and wash^{H7364} thy feet^{H7272}. And Uriah^{H223} departed out^{H3318} of the king's^{H4428} house^{H1004}, and there followed^{H310} him a mess^{H4864} of meat from the king^{H4428}.

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Commentary for 2 Samuel 11:8

2 Samuel 11:8 is part of the narrative concerning King David's affair with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. The historical context of this verse is set during the period of David's reign over Israel, which is traditionally dated to around the 10th century BCE. This story is a pivotal moment in the Davidic narrative, highlighting the king's moral failing and the subsequent consequences.

In the verse, David is attempting to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba after she becomes pregnant. He has summoned Uriah from the battlefield under the guise of inquiring about the war, hoping that Uriah will sleep with his wife, which would allow David to pass off the child as Uriah's. However, Uriah's sense of duty and honor, refusing to enjoy the comforts of home while his comrades are at war, thwarts David's plan. By telling Uriah to "go down to thy house, and wash thy feet," David is essentially dismissing him to relax and be with his wife, but Uriah does not comply.

The verse reflects themes of loyalty, honor, and the abuse of power. Uriah's loyalty to his fellow soldiers and his king stands in stark contrast to David's betrayal and manipulation. David's actions demonstrate a king who has overstepped his bounds, using his authority to orchestrate events for his personal benefit, which ultimately leads to a series of tragic events, including Uriah's death and the death of the child born to Bathsheba. This moment is a turning point in David's life, leading to divine punishment and the beginning of a series of troubles within his own family, as prophesied by Nathan the prophet in the following chapters. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the moral responsibilities of leaders.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1732
   There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּוִד
   Transliteration: Dâvid
   Pronunciation: daw-veed'
   Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H223
   There are 329 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוּרִיָּה
   Transliteration: ʼÛwrîyâh
   Pronunciation: oo-ree-yaw'
   Description: or (prolonged) אוּרִיָּהוּ ; from אוּר and יָהּ; flame of Jah; Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites; Uriah, Urijah.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3381
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַד
   Transliteration: yârad
   Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
6. Strong's Number: H7364
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָחַץ
   Transliteration: râchats
   Pronunciation: raw-khats'
   Description: a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing); bathe (self), wash (self).
   
7. Strong's Number: H7272
   There are 232 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֶגֶל
   Transliteration: regel
   Pronunciation: reh'-gel
   Description: from רָגַל; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda; [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
10. Strong's Number: H310
    There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַחַר
    Transliteration: ʼachar
    Pronunciation: akh-ar'
    Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
    
11. Strong's Number: H4864
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַשְׂאֵת
    Transliteration: masʼêth
    Pronunciation: mas-ayth'
    Description: from נָשָׂא; properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a present (as taken), mess, or tribute; figuratively, a reproach (as a burden); burden, collection, sign of fire, (great) flame, gift, lifting up, mess, oblation, reward.