2 Samuel 11:2

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.

And it came to pass in an eveningtide {H6153}{H6256}, that David {H1732} arose {H6965} from off his bed {H4904}, and walked {H1980} upon the roof {H1406} of the king's {H4428} house {H1004}: and from the roof {H1406} he saw {H7200} a woman {H802} washing {H7364} herself; and the woman {H802} was very {H3966} beautiful {H2896} to look upon {H4758}.

Once, after his afternoon nap, David got up from his bed and went strolling on the roof of the king's palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful.

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.

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.

Commentary

This verse marks the pivotal moment that initiates King David’s tragic fall from grace, leading to a series of devastating consequences for himself and his kingdom. It paints a picture of a king, renowned for his piety and military prowess, in a moment of unexpected vulnerability and temptation.

Context

The scene unfolds in the "eveningtide," a time often associated with rest and quiet. Crucially, the preceding verse (2 Samuel 11:1) informs us that this was the season "when kings went forth to battle," but David remained in Jerusalem. His uncharacteristic idleness, combined with his elevated position on the "roof of the king's house" (a common architectural feature in ancient Israelite homes, offering privacy and a vantage point), created the perfect storm for temptation. From this elevated perspective, he observed a woman washing herself.

Key Themes

  • Idleness and Opportunity: David's presence at home instead of leading his troops in war directly contributes to his susceptibility. Idleness often creates a void that can be filled by temptation.
  • The Power of Sight and Temptation: The verse highlights how a visual encounter can be the gateway to sin. David didn't actively seek out evil, but his eyes lingered on something forbidden. The description "very beautiful to look upon" emphasizes the potent allure that captivated him.
  • The Beginning of a Downward Spiral: This seemingly simple observation is the first step in a chain of events that includes adultery, deception, murder, and deep spiritual consequences, demonstrating how one seemingly minor misstep can lead to catastrophic sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "saw" (רָאָה, ra'ah) can imply more than a casual glance; it suggests a deliberate observation, a gaze that leads to contemplation and desire. The description "very beautiful to look upon" uses the Hebrew phrase טוֹב מְאֹד (tov me'od), literally "good exceedingly," emphasizing an exceptional, striking beauty that immediately drew David's attention and stirred his lust.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful cautionary tale for all believers. It underscores the importance of:

  • Guarding Our Eyes: Just as Jesus taught about the lust of the eyes leading to sin, David's experience reminds us to be vigilant about what we allow ourselves to behold and dwell upon.
  • Avoiding Idleness: Being engaged in purposeful activity, especially in service to God, can be a safeguard against temptation.
  • Understanding the Nature of Temptation: Temptation often begins subtly, with a glance or a thought, and if not resisted, can quickly escalate into full-blown sin with far-reaching consequences. The subsequent narrative in 2 Samuel 11:3-5 details the tragic progression.
Even great leaders like David are susceptible to temptation, highlighting the universal need for spiritual discipline and reliance on God's strength.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 5:28

    But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

  • Psalms 119:37

    ¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.

  • Proverbs 6:25

    Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

  • Acts 10:9

    ¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

  • Job 31:1

    ¶ I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

  • 1 John 2:16

    For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  • 1 Peter 4:7

    ¶ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
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