2 Samuel 11:27

KJV

And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the mourning {H60} was past {H5674}, David {H1732} sent {H7971} and fetched {H622} her to his house {H1004}, and she became his wife {H802}, and bare {H3205} him a son {H1121}. But the thing {H1697} that David {H1732} had done {H6213} displeased {H3415}{H5869} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the mourning was over, David sent and took her home to his palace, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But ADONAI saw what David had done as evil.

Berean Standard Bible

And when the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD.

American Standard Version

And when the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 11:27 concludes the deeply troubling narrative of King David's adultery with Bathsheba and his orchestration of Uriah's death. Following a culturally prescribed mourning period for Uriah, David brought Bathsheba into his household, formally making her his wife, and she subsequently bore him a son. This verse, however, immediately cuts through the veneer of societal acceptance and human cover-up, delivering a stark divine verdict: "But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD." It marks a critical turning point, signaling that despite David's successful manipulation of circumstances in the eyes of man, his actions were an abomination in the sight of a holy God, setting the stage for divine judgment and the unraveling of peace within David's own house.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the grim climax to a chapter fraught with moral failure. It immediately follows David's calculated and escalating sins: first, his adultery with Bathsheba while his army was at war ([2 Samuel 11:2-5](/2_samuel/11-2 "2 Samuel 11:2-5 - David's Adultery")); then, his failed attempts to manipulate Uriah into covering the pregnancy ([2 Samuel 11:6-13](/2_samuel/11-6 "2 Samuel 11:6-13 - David's Attempt to Deceive Uriah")); and finally, his cold-blooded plot to have Uriah killed in battle ([2 Samuel 11:14-17](/2_samuel/11-14 "2 Samuel 11:14-17 - David Arranges Uriah's Death")). The "mourning" mentioned in verse 27 refers to the customary seven-day period of grieving for the deceased, after which David swiftly brought Bathsheba into his home. This seemingly normalized the situation from a human perspective, but the final clause of the verse, "But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD," shatters any illusion of success or impunity, directly setting the stage for Nathan the prophet's confrontation in [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Prophecy and David's Repentance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, kings often exercised immense power, including the right to take women into their harems, especially widows. David already had multiple wives, and adding Bathsheba, a widow, to his household would not have been culturally unusual or legally problematic from a human standpoint, particularly after a period of mourning. The swiftness of the marriage after the mourning period, however, suggests David's urgency to legitimize the pregnancy and cover his tracks. The mourning period itself was a deeply ingrained cultural practice, signifying respect for the deceased and allowing time for public grief. David's patient waiting for this period to conclude before taking Bathsheba further highlights his calculated efforts to maintain appearances and avoid suspicion. However, despite the cultural norms and David's cunning, the divine perspective transcends human custom and reveals the true nature of his actions.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by this verse is the **inescapable consequence of sin and divine judgment**. While David successfully manipulated circumstances and human perceptions, the phrase "displeased the LORD" powerfully asserts God's omniscience and moral perfection. It reveals that no sin, particularly one involving adultery, deception, and murder, can be hidden from God. This divine displeasure highlights God's **holiness and justice**, demonstrating that even His chosen king is not exempt from accountability for grievous transgressions. The verse also introduces the theme of **divine intervention and revelation**, as God's displeasure foreshadows the prophetic confrontation by Nathan, through whom God will expose David's sin and declare its painful consequences, illustrating that God's **sovereignty** extends over human affairs and moral failures. This moment marks a tragic **turning point** in David's reign, initiating a period of personal and familial turmoil that would plague him for years to come, contrasting sharply with the earlier triumphs of his kingship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Displeased (Hebrew, _rāʿaʿ_):** The Hebrew word רַע (_raʿ_) here, often translated as "evil," "bad," or "wicked," carries a much stronger connotation than mere annoyance. When used in the context of God, it signifies a profound moral offense, an act that is an abomination in His sight and goes against His very character and law. It implies not just a feeling of displeasure, but a righteous condemnation of David's actions as inherently wicked and a direct affront to God's holiness.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** The use of the covenant name of God, YHWH, is significant. It emphasizes that David's actions were not merely social transgressions but a direct breach of his covenant relationship with the God who had chosen him, blessed him, and established him as king. This is a personal offense against the God to whom David owed ultimate loyalty and obedience, highlighting the gravity of his betrayal.
* **Mourning (Hebrew, _āḇal_):** The term refers to the customary period of grieving for the dead. David's decision to wait for this period to pass before taking Bathsheba into his house reveals his calculated and strategic approach to covering his sin. It suggests an attempt to make the situation appear legitimate and culturally acceptable, masking the underlying wickedness of his actions from public scrutiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the mourning was past":** This clause highlights David's deliberate timing. He waited for the culturally appropriate period of grieving for Uriah to conclude, ensuring that his subsequent actions would appear less suspicious or scandalous to the public. It underscores his careful planning to legitimize the situation and conceal his role in Uriah's death.
* **"David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife":** This describes the formalization of the illicit relationship. By bringing Bathsheba into his household as a wife, David sought to provide a legal and social cover for the pregnancy, transforming a scandalous affair into a seemingly legitimate marriage. This act, however, was built on a foundation of adultery and murder.
* **"and bare him a son":** This is the immediate, tangible consequence and fruit of the sinful union. The birth of the son confirms Bathsheba's pregnancy and serves as a constant, living reminder of David's transgression, despite his attempts to regularize the situation.
* **"But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD":** This is the climactic and most crucial clause of the verse. It serves as a stark divine verdict, cutting through all human attempts at cover-up and legitimization. It reveals that while David may have succeeded in deceiving men, he utterly failed to deceive God. The Lord's absolute moral standard condemns David's actions as evil, setting the stage for divine judgment and the unfolding consequences in the subsequent chapter.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is central, dramatically contrasting David's seemingly successful normalization of his sin (taking Bathsheba as wife, bearing a son) with God's immediate and unequivocal disapproval. This creates a profound sense of **dramatic irony**, as the reader is fully aware of David's heinous acts, while the narrative portrays him as successfully managing the public perception. The phrase "But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" acts as a **narrative pivot**, shifting the focus from human actions and perceptions to divine judgment. It functions as a powerful **foreshadowing**, signaling that despite the apparent calm, severe consequences are imminent and that God will not let David's sin go unaddressed, thereby building suspense for the prophetic confrontation in the next chapter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 11:27 powerfully articulates a foundational biblical truth: God's absolute holiness and His unwavering opposition to sin. David's actions, though concealed from human eyes and culturally legitimized, were an abomination in the sight of the Lord. This verse teaches us that God is not mocked; His omniscience means that all our deeds, whether hidden or public, are known to Him. It underscores the futility of attempting to cover sin through human means, as divine justice will ultimately prevail. The "displeasure" of the LORD is not a minor irritation but a profound moral condemnation, signifying a breach in the covenant relationship and a violation of God's perfect character. This divine verdict sets the stage for the inevitable consequences that follow, demonstrating that while God is merciful, He is also just, and sin carries a heavy price.

* [Numbers 32:23](/numbers/32-23 "Numbers 32:23 - Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out")
* [Psalm 51:4](/psalms/51-4 "Psalm 51:4 - Against You, You Only, Have I Sinned")
* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - The Eyes of the LORD Are in Every Place")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a stark and sobering reminder that no one, regardless of their position, power, or piety, is exempt from God's moral scrutiny and judgment. David, "a man after God's own heart," fell into grievous sin, and despite his attempts to cover it up and normalize the situation, God's displeasure was immediate and profound. For believers today, this underscores the deceptive nature of sin, which promises pleasure or escape but ultimately leads to divine condemnation and painful consequences. It challenges us to examine our own lives for any areas where we might be attempting to conceal actions, attitudes, or even thoughts that displease the Lord. We are reminded that true peace and integrity come not from successful concealment, but from honest confession and genuine repentance. God sees all, and His standard of holiness remains unchanged. Our response to sin should be immediate humility and a turning back to Him, rather than futile attempts to manage appearances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be attempting to "cover up" actions or attitudes that displease the Lord?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's omnipresence and moral judgment?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a heart that is quick to confess and repent, rather than conceal?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow David to marry Bathsheba if He was displeased?**

Answer: God's allowance of an event does not equate to His approval of the actions leading to it. In this case, David's marriage to Bathsheba, though legally and culturally permissible in ancient Israelite society (especially for a king taking a widow), was the culmination of a series of grave sins: adultery and murder. God allowed the marriage to proceed as a factual outcome of David's choices, demonstrating His patience and the reality of human free will. However, the immediate declaration that "the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" makes it clear that while the marriage itself was allowed to happen, the *process* by which it came about was abhorrent to God. This allowance also sets the stage for God's subsequent judgment and the severe consequences that would befall David's house, as detailed in [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Confrontation and God's Judgment"). God often permits human actions to unfold, even sinful ones, to demonstrate His justice, mercy, and ultimate sovereignty in the aftermath.

**What does "displeased the LORD" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "displeased the LORD" translates the Hebrew `rāʿaʿ bəʿênê YHWH` (רַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה), which literally means "was evil in the eyes of the LORD." This is a strong and direct condemnation, signifying far more than a mild annoyance or disapproval. It indicates that David's actions—the adultery, the deception, and particularly the murder of Uriah—were morally repugnant, wicked, and an abomination from God's perspective. It highlights God's absolute holiness and His righteous indignation against sin that directly violates His character and His law. This profound displeasure underscores that David's actions were not merely social transgressions but a direct affront to the covenant God, setting the stage for divine judgment and the severe consequences that would follow, as God cannot simply overlook such grievous sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound displeasure of the LORD over David's sin in 2 Samuel 11:27 powerfully underscores the depth of human depravity and the absolute holiness of God, pointing forward to the ultimate solution found in Christ. David, despite being God's anointed king, failed miserably, attempting to cover his sin through manipulation and murder. This highlights the inherent inability of humanity, even its greatest figures, to meet God's righteous standard or to escape divine judgment for sin. The narrative of David's failure, and the subsequent judgment that fell upon his house, serves as a poignant reminder that a perfect King was needed—one who would not only perfectly obey God's law but also bear the full weight of God's displeasure against sin. Jesus, the true Son of David, stands in stark contrast. Unlike David, who orchestrated death to cover his sin, Jesus, "who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Life")), willingly laid down His life. On the cross, He became sin for us, bearing the very displeasure of God that David's actions deserved, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Where David's attempts to cover his sin only brought greater judgment, Christ's perfect sacrifice provides the ultimate, complete, and lasting covering, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who believe, demonstrating that God is both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus ([Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-26 - All Have Sinned and Are Justified by Grace")).

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

Psalms 51:4

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.

Psalms 51:5

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

2 Samuel 12:9

Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Genesis 38:10

And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

Deuteronomy 22:29

Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty [shekels] of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

1 Chronicles 21:7

¶ And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.