2 Samuel 11:12

KJV

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 morrow.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} to Uriah {H223}, Tarry {H3427} here to day {H3117} also, and to morrow {H4279} I will let thee depart {H7971}. So Uriah {H223} abode {H3427} in Jerusalem {H3389} that day {H3117}, and the morrow {H4283}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David said to Uriyah, "Stay here today also; tomorrow I will let you leave." So Uriyah stayed in Yerushalayim that day and the following day.

Berean Standard Bible

“Stay here one more day,” David said to Uriah, “and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.

American Standard Version

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 morrow.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 11:12 vividly portrays King David's deepening moral compromise as he persists in his deceptive efforts to conceal his adultery with Bathsheba. Having failed to coerce Uriah the Hittite into returning home and sleeping with his wife, David prolongs Uriah's stay in Jerusalem, hoping that extended time and further manipulation will lead Uriah to unwittingly legitimize Bathsheba's pregnancy. This verse starkly illustrates David's escalating descent into sin, marked by cunning and an abuse of royal authority, set against the backdrop of Uriah's unwavering integrity and tragic loyalty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical juncture in the unfolding tragedy of David's sin, which commences with his idle presence in Jerusalem while his army is at war, leading to his illicit encounter with Bathsheba in [2 Samuel 11:1-5](/2_samuel/11-1-5 "2 Samuel 11:1-5 - David's Adultery with Bathsheba"). Upon learning of Bathsheba's pregnancy, David initiates a desperate cover-up. His first attempt, detailed in [2 Samuel 11:6-10](/2_samuel/11-6-10 "2 Samuel 11:6-10 - David's Initial Deception of Uriah"), involves summoning Uriah from the siege of Rabbah, expecting him to fulfill his marital duties. However, Uriah's profound loyalty and military integrity, powerfully articulated in [2 Samuel 11:11](/2_samuel/11-11 "2 Samuel 11:11 - Uriah's Noble Refusal"), foils this initial scheme. Uriah's refusal to enjoy personal comfort while his comrades and the Ark of the Covenant are in the field forces David to escalate his manipulation. [2 Samuel 11:12](/2_samuel/11-12 "2 Samuel 11:12 - David's Continued Manipulation of Uriah") thus depicts David's second, more insidious attempt to control Uriah's actions, setting the stage for the king's ultimate, heinous crime of murder in [2 Samuel 11:14-17](/2_samuel/11-14-17 "2 Samuel 11:14-17 - David Arranges Uriah's Death"). The narrative meticulously chronicles David's spiraling moral decline from a man after God's own heart to a cunning deceiver and murderer.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, military campaigns were often viewed as sacred endeavors, and soldiers were expected to maintain a state of ritual purity and dedication while on active duty. Uriah's refusal to go home and sleep with his wife reflects this deep sense of loyalty and solidarity with his fellow soldiers and the sacred objects of the nation, such as the Ark of the Covenant, which was sometimes taken to battle. His statement in [2 Samuel 11:11](/2_samuel/11-11 "2 Samuel 11:11 - Uriah's Profound Sense of Duty") indicates a profound understanding of military ethics and a personal commitment to the war effort that superseded personal pleasure or even the king's implicit desires. Furthermore, paternity was paramount for lineage, inheritance, and social standing in Israelite society, making Bathsheba's pregnancy a significant issue that David desperately needed to resolve to avoid scandal. David's actions also represent a severe abuse of royal power; as king, he held immense authority over his subjects, including Uriah, and was divinely mandated to uphold justice, not subvert it for personal gain. The setting in Jerusalem, the capital, underscores David's ability to control circumstances and individuals within his immediate sphere of influence, though Uriah's integrity proves a formidable obstacle.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "2 Samuel - The Reign of King David"). Firstly, it highlights **David's Escalating Deception and Abuse of Power**. Having committed adultery, David compounds his sin with elaborate schemes of manipulation, demonstrating how unconfessed sin can lead to a destructive chain of further transgressions and the misuse of divine authority. His actions here are a stark departure from the righteous leadership expected of Israel's king. Secondly, it showcases **Uriah's Unwavering Loyalty and Integrity**, which stands in profound contrast to David's duplicity. Uriah's principled refusal to indulge himself while his comrades faced danger exemplifies profound honor, duty, and a strong moral compass, unwittingly thwarting the king's wicked designs. He embodies the ideal "man of war" in the noblest sense, prioritizing communal welfare over personal comfort, a virtue David has abandoned. Finally, the verse underscores **The Futility of Human Attempts to Cover Up Sin**. Despite David's royal authority and cunning, he cannot force Uriah to act against his principled nature. This failure sets the stage for David's even more heinous crime, illustrating that sin, when unconfessed, inevitably leads to deeper entanglement and ultimately, exposure, as [Numbers 32:23](/numbers/32-23 "Numbers 32:23 - Your Sin Will Find You Out") warns, "be sure your sin will find you out."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **David (Hebrew, _Dâvid'_):** From the same root as `dôwd` (loving), this name signifies "loving." Ironically, in this verse, David acts in a deeply unloving and manipulative manner toward Uriah, a loyal subject. His character, usually associated with devotion and integrity, is here shown in profound moral decline, highlighting the devastating impact of unconfessed sin on even the most revered individuals.
* **Tarry (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** This verb, meaning "to sit down, dwell, abide, remain," is used in David's command, "Tarry here to day also." It signifies David's insistence that Uriah stay in Jerusalem, preventing his return home. David's intention is to keep Uriah within his manipulative control, hoping that prolonged exposure to the city's comforts or perhaps other influences (like drink, as seen in the next verse) would eventually lead him to break his principled stance and sleep with Bathsheba. It's a seemingly innocuous command, but laden with sinister intent.
* **Depart (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** A primitive root meaning "to send away, for, or out," this word is used in David's deceptive promise, "and to morrow I will let thee depart." This phrase is a calculated lie, designed to keep Uriah compliant and hopeful for a swift return to the battlefield, while David secretly plots further means to achieve his nefarious goal. The promise of departure is a tool of control, not an expression of genuine permission, underscoring David's cunning and moral bankruptcy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said to Uriah":** This opening clause immediately establishes the power dynamic. David, as king, is issuing a direct command to his subject, Uriah. It highlights David's active role in the deception and his willingness to exploit his authority for personal gain, rather than upholding justice and protecting the innocent.
* **"Tarry here to day also":** This reveals David's persistence and desperation. Having failed in his first attempt to send Uriah home, David is not giving up. The word "also" indicates a continuation of the previous day's command for Uriah to remain in Jerusalem, extending the window of opportunity for David's scheme to succeed and for Uriah to potentially succumb to the king's hidden agenda.
* **"and to morrow I will let thee depart":** This is a manipulative promise. David offers Uriah a false hope of returning to his duties, designed to keep him in Jerusalem without suspicion. This promise demonstrates David's cunning and his willingness to deceive to achieve his selfish ends, showing how far he has fallen from his former character and how deeply he is entangled in his sin.
* **"So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow":** This concluding clause highlights Uriah's continued obedience to the king's direct command, even while he steadfastly maintains his principled refusal to go home and sleep with his wife. His physical presence in Jerusalem, though a result of his loyalty, ironically facilitates David's next, even more heinous plot, underscoring the tragic irony of the situation where Uriah's virtue becomes a tool for David's vice.

#### Literary Devices
This verse is rich in **Irony**, primarily the profound moral inversion where David, the "man after God's own heart" and king of Israel, acts with profound moral depravity, while Uriah, a Hittite (a foreigner), exhibits exemplary Israelite virtues of loyalty, integrity, and dedication to the sacred. There is a stark **Contrast** between David's cunning, self-serving actions and Uriah's simple, unwavering integrity and obedience. The phrase "Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart" contains profound **Deception**, as David's words are designed to mislead Uriah about his true intentions and manipulate him into a situation that would cover the king's sin. The entire scene also serves as **Foreshadowing** for the darker events to come; Uriah's continued presence in Jerusalem, despite David's failed attempts to send him home, directly leads to David's decision to arrange his murder, highlighting the escalating and destructive consequences of unconfessed sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage serves as a stark theological commentary on the insidious nature and escalating power of unconfessed sin. David's actions illustrate that sin, once committed, seeks to hide itself, leading to a complex web of deception and further transgression. His attempts to manipulate Uriah demonstrate a profound abuse of power and a disregard for divine law, revealing how quickly a person can fall when they abandon integrity and succumb to their desires. The narrative underscores the futility of human schemes against God's ultimate justice; no matter how elaborate David's cover-up, God's eye sees all, and the consequences of sin will inevitably manifest. Uriah's integrity, in contrast, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring value of faithfulness and moral steadfastness, even in the face of corrupt authority, highlighting that true honor comes from obedience to a higher moral code and a conscience aligned with divine principles.

* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Consequences of Concealing Sin")
* [Numbers 32:23](/numbers/32-23 "Numbers 32:23 - Your Sin Will Find You Out")
* [Psalm 51:3](/psalms/51-3 "Psalm 51:3 - David's Acknowledgment of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of David and Uriah in 2 Samuel 11:12 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a sobering reminder of the insidious and escalating nature of unconfessed sin. David's initial transgression with Bathsheba quickly spirals into a complex web of deception and manipulation, ultimately leading to murder. This trajectory illustrates how one unaddressed sin can become a gateway to deeper moral compromise, highlighting the critical importance of immediate confession and repentance as admonished in [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness"). We are challenged to examine our own lives: are there areas where we are attempting to "cover up" our wrongs, perhaps through half-truths, avoidance, or even outright lies? The passage calls us to resist the temptation to manage our sin, but rather to humbly bring it before God, trusting in His mercy and forgiveness. Furthermore, Uriah's character, though tragic in his fate, stands as a powerful testament to the enduring value of integrity, loyalty, and a strong moral compass. His refusal to indulge in personal comfort while his comrades faced danger exemplifies a principled life that prioritizes duty and honor above personal convenience or even the king's implicit desires. His example challenges us to cultivate such integrity, to stand firm in our convictions even when faced with pressure, and to live lives that consistently reflect a character honoring to God, regardless of the cost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage reveal the escalating nature of unconfessed sin in David's life, and what parallels might we observe in our own struggles with sin?**
* **In what ways does Uriah's unwavering integrity serve as a powerful contrast to David's actions, and what specific lessons can we draw from Uriah's character for our own lives, particularly regarding loyalty and duty?**
* **What temptations to "cover up" or manipulate situations might we face in our daily lives, and how can we respond with radical honesty and immediate repentance, rather than compounding our errors?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't Uriah simply go home and sleep with Bathsheba, thus solving David's problem?**

Answer: Uriah's refusal to go home and sleep with Bathsheba, despite David's implicit desire, was rooted in his profound integrity, loyalty, and deep commitment to the sacredness of the war effort. As [2 Samuel 11:11](/2_samuel/11-11 "2 Samuel 11:11 - Uriah's Noble Refusal") clearly states, Uriah felt it was dishonorable to indulge in personal comfort while the Ark of God, the army of Israel and Judah, and his commander [Joab](/2_samuel/11-6 "2 Samuel 11:6 - Joab, David's Commander") were encamped in the open fields. This was not merely a matter of military discipline but a deep spiritual and moral conviction. He prioritized solidarity with his comrades and respect for the holy war over personal pleasure. His character stands in stark contrast to David's self-serving actions, highlighting Uriah's exemplary moral compass and unwavering dedication, which ironically thwarted David's wicked scheme and forced the king to resort to even darker measures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's failure and Uriah's integrity in 2 Samuel 11:12 powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect King and a perfectly obedient Servant, both found in Jesus Christ. David, the earthly king, succumbs to lust, deception, and ultimately murder, demonstrating the profound limitations and fallenness of even the greatest human leaders. His desperate attempts to cover his sin reveal the futility of human efforts to achieve righteousness or conceal wrongdoing, highlighting humanity's desperate need for a Savior who is truly righteous. In stark contrast to David's corruption, Uriah's unwavering loyalty and integrity, even unto death, subtly points to the ultimate loyalty and self-sacrifice of Christ. Jesus, the true Son of David, never yielded to temptation or manipulation; He was "without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus' Sinlessness")) and perfectly obedient to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philipians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). Unlike David, who sought to cover his own sin by destroying an innocent man, Jesus willingly laid down His life ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")) not to conceal His own transgressions (for He had none, as [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Blamelessness") affirms), but to atone for the sins of humanity. His perfect life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection provide the only true "cover-up" for our sins—a covering of grace and righteousness that David's schemes could never achieve, offering true forgiveness and restoration that David himself would later desperately seek and find in God's mercy ([Psalm 32:1-5](/psalms/32-1-5 "Psalm 32:1-5 - The Joy of Forgiveness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 2:22

For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, [yet] thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 2:23

How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: [thou art] a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

Jeremiah 2:37

Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.