2 Samuel 12:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore hast thou despised {H959} the commandment {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, to do {H6213} evil {H7451} in his sight {H5869}? thou hast killed {H5221} Uriah {H223} the Hittite {H2850} with the sword {H2719}, and hast taken {H3947} his wife {H802} to be thy wife {H802}, and hast slain {H2026} him with the sword {H2719} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'So why have you shown such contempt for the word of ADONAI and done what I see as evil? You murdered Uriyah the Hitti with the sword and taken his wife as your own wife; you put him to death with the sword of the people of 'Amon.

Berean Standard Bible

Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

American Standard Version

Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight? thou hast smitten 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 12:9 stands as the apex of Nathan's prophetic confrontation with King David, a searing indictment that lays bare the king's profound transgressions against God and humanity. It precisely articulates David's contempt for divine law, his orchestration of Uriah the Hittite's murder, and his illicit appropriation of Bathsheba, underscoring the severe moral and spiritual implications of his actions in the sight of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic moment in the narrative of Nathan's confrontation with King David, immediately following David's grave sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the treacherous plot to murder her husband, Uriah the Hittite, detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah"). The LORD sends Nathan to rebuke the king. Nathan masterfully employs a parable of a rich man taking a poor man's single lamb ([2 Samuel 12:1-4](/2_samuel/12-1 "2 Samuel 12:1-4 - Nathan's Parable to David")), skillfully drawing David into a self-condemning judgment. Once David, in righteous indignation, pronounces a severe verdict on the rich man, Nathan delivers the devastating declaration, "Thou art the man" ([2 Samuel 12:7](/2_samuel/12-7 "2 Samuel 12:7 - Nathan's Indictment of David")), before launching into this piercing indictment, detailing David's specific transgressions and the divine perspective on his actions. The verse thus serves as the direct accusation that sets the stage for the pronouncement of divine judgment and its subsequent unfolding in David's household.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the king, while divinely appointed, was not above the law of God. The Mosaic Law, particularly the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"), served as the foundational legal and moral code for all, including the monarch. Adultery was a capital offense ([Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Law on Adultery")), and murder was strictly forbidden ([Exodus 20:13](/exodus/20-13 "Exodus 20:13 - Sixth Commandment")). Furthermore, a king's abuse of power, especially in matters of justice and military command, was a serious breach of his covenant responsibilities to God and his people. Uriah, a loyal soldier and a Hittite, was part of David's elite guard, highlighting David's betrayal of a faithful servant and a non-Israelite who had integrated into Israelite society and served its king. The cultural context emphasizes the sanctity of marriage, the value of life, and the expectation that a king would uphold justice, not subvert it.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that God sees all actions, even those meticulously hidden, and holds even the most powerful human leaders accountable for their sin. David's attempts at cover-up were futile in God's sight, as highlighted by Nathan's direct accusation "to do evil in his sight." Secondly, it develops the theme of the **Consequences of Sin**, showing how one transgression (lust leading to adultery) can rapidly escalate into a chain of compounding evils (deception, abuse of power, and ultimately murder). This illustrates the "slippery slope" of sin, where unaddressed desires lead to increasingly grave actions, as seen in David's progression from his initial encounter with Bathsheba in [2 Samuel 11:2-4](/2_samuel/11-2 "2 Samuel 11:2-4 - David Sees Bathsheba") to the plot against Uriah in [2 Samuel 11:14-17](/2_samuel/11-14 "2 Samuel 11:14-17 - David's Plot Against Uriah"). Thirdly, it highlights the **Nature of True Kingship**, contrasting David's failure with the ideal of a king who rules righteously and fears the LORD, a theme that anticipates the perfect King to come. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **Repentance and Forgiveness**, as David's subsequent confession ([2 Samuel 12:13](/2_samuel/12-13 "2 Samuel 12:13 - David's Confession")) and the profound expression of his remorse in [Psalm 51](/psalms/51 "Psalm 51 - David's Prayer of Repentance") demonstrate the path to restoration, even after grievous sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Despised (Hebrew, _bazita'_):** The Hebrew verb בָּזָה (bazah) means "to despise, scorn, disdain, hold in contempt." The form used here, בָּזִיתָ (bazita), is the perfect second person masculine singular, indicating a completed action by David. This is far stronger than merely "breaking" a commandment; it implies a deliberate devaluation or a treating as worthless God's instruction and, by extension, God Himself. It suggests an attitude of contempt for divine authority and moral order, a willful disregard for the sanctity of life and marriage that God established. David's actions were not accidental but flowed from a heart that, in that moment, held God's word in low esteem.
* **Slain (Hebrew, _haragta'_):** The Hebrew verb הָרַג (harag) means "to kill, slay, murder." The form הָרַגְתָּ (haragta) is also perfect second person masculine singular, directly attributing the act of killing to David. While Uriah was physically killed by the "sword of the children of Ammon," Nathan unequivocally states that David "killed" him. This highlights David's moral culpability and direct responsibility for Uriah's death, emphasizing that orchestrating a murder is tantamount to committing it oneself in God's eyes. It underscores the principle that intent and command can carry the same weight as direct action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight?"**: This opening rhetorical question immediately pierces David's conscience, framing his actions not merely as personal failings but as a direct affront to God's authority and character. The phrase "despised the commandment of the LORD" is the core accusation, implying a deliberate and scornful disregard for God's revealed will, encompassing the prohibitions against adultery and murder. The addition "to do evil in his sight" emphasizes God's omniscience and omnipotence; David's attempts to conceal his sin were utterly transparent to the Almighty. This establishes the theological gravity of David's sin, moving beyond human justice to divine judgment.
* **"thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword,"**: Nathan directly attributes Uriah's death to David, despite David not physically wielding the weapon. This clause highlights David's calculated and indirect murder of a loyal subject. Uriah's identity as "the Hittite" further underscores the atrocity, as he was a faithful, integrated member of Israel's society and David's army, making David's betrayal all the more heinous. The phrase "with the sword" explicitly connects David to the violent act, even if through proxy.
* **"and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife,"**: This clause explicitly states David's act of adultery and subsequent appropriation of Bathsheba. The phrase "taken his wife" carries the connotation of seizing or acquiring, emphasizing the injustice and violation of Uriah's marital rights and Bathsheba's person. This act directly violated the seventh commandment against adultery and further compounded the sin by attempting to legitimize an illicit relationship after Uriah's murder.
* **"and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon."**: This concluding phrase reiterates David's responsibility for Uriah's death, specifically identifying the means and the agents. The repetition of "slain him with the sword" (after "killed Uriah... with the sword") serves to underscore the premeditated and violent nature of the act, while "of the children of Ammon" reveals the specific military context and David's cynical manipulation of the war to achieve his murderous aim. This final detail confirms the depth of David's cunning and cruelty.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is the **rhetorical question** ("Wherefore hast thou despised...?"), which is not seeking information but rather delivering a forceful accusation that demands introspection and confession. This question immediately establishes the divine perspective and the gravity of David's actions. **Repetition** is also key, with "with the sword" appearing twice, emphasizing David's direct culpability in Uriah's death despite not physically wielding the weapon. This repetition hammers home the violent and premeditated nature of the crime. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **direct address** and **accusation**, as Nathan confronts David personally, using the second person singular "thou hast." This makes the indictment intensely personal and unavoidable, forcing David to confront his own actions without evasion. The structure of the verse also uses a form of **climax**, moving from the general charge of despising God's commandment to the specific acts of murder and adultery, culminating in the precise detail of Uriah's death by the Ammonites' sword, orchestrated by David.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 12:9 serves as a stark reminder that sin is ultimately an offense against God, even when committed against fellow human beings. David's actions, though directed at Uriah and Bathsheba, are fundamentally characterized as despising the "commandment of the LORD" and doing "evil in his sight." This highlights the theological truth that all moral law emanates from God's character, and therefore, every transgression is a rebellion against His holy nature and sovereign rule. The verse also underscores the principle of divine omniscience and justice, affirming that no sin, however carefully concealed or powerfully committed, escapes God's notice or His eventual reckoning. It sets the stage for the profound consequences that would befall David's house, demonstrating that while God offers forgiveness for repentance, the natural and divine consequences of sin often remain.

* [Psalm 51:4](/psalms/51-4 "Psalm 51:4 - Against You, You Only, Have I Sinned")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin Is Death")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, serving as a powerful mirror for self-examination. It unequivocally teaches that no one, regardless of their status, influence, or spiritual gifting, is exempt from God's moral law or His scrutiny. David, "a man after God's own heart," fell into grievous sin, demonstrating the ever-present danger of unchecked desires, the abuse of power, and the deceptive nature of sin. His progression from lust to adultery to murder illustrates the "slippery slope" – how one compromise can lead to a cascade of increasingly destructive choices. This should compel us to cultivate vigilance over our hearts, to address sin at its earliest stages, and to understand that true piety involves not just outward observance but an inward reverence for God's commands. Moreover, the fact that God saw David's hidden acts reminds us that our lives are lived before an all-seeing God. This truth should inspire not fear of exposure, but a holy awe and a sincere desire to live with integrity, knowing that genuine righteousness is valued by the One who truly matters. It calls us to accountability, humility, and a constant reliance on God's grace to guard our hearts and actions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly "despising" God's commandments, perhaps through neglect or a casual attitude toward His Word?**
* **How might I be prone to abusing any form of power or influence I possess, whether in my family, workplace, or community?**
* **What "hidden" sins or compromises might I be attempting to conceal, and how does the truth of God's omniscience challenge me to bring them into the light?**
* **What steps can I take today to cultivate a greater reverence for God's law and a deeper commitment to integrity in all areas of my life?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that David "despised the commandment of the LORD"?**

Answer: To "despise" (Hebrew: *bazah*) a commandment is far more severe than simply breaking it. It implies an attitude of scorn, contempt, or disdain for the source of the command—in this case, the LORD Himself. It suggests a deliberate devaluation of God's authority and His moral will. David's actions were not merely an accidental transgression but demonstrated a heart that, for a time, held God's holy standards in low esteem, prioritizing his own desires over divine law. This is why Nathan's accusation is so potent; it strikes at the very root of David's spiritual condition, revealing a profound disrespect for the One who had blessed him so abundantly, as detailed in [2 Samuel 12:7-8](/2_samuel/12-7 "2 Samuel 12:7-8 - Nathan Reminds David of God's Blessings").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 12:9, with its stark portrayal of King David's failure and the divine judgment on his sin, powerfully foreshadows the need for a perfect King who would truly uphold God's commandments and never despise them. David, the "man after God's own heart," tragically fell short, demonstrating the inherent sinfulness of even the best human leaders. This narrative points to Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who is the only King to perfectly obey the "commandment of the LORD" in every respect. Unlike David, who orchestrated the death of an innocent man, Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly laid down His life, becoming the innocent sacrifice for the sins of humanity ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Obedience to Death")). Where David took another man's wife, Christ, through His perfect life and atoning death, takes His bride, the Church, to Himself, cleansing her and presenting her without spot or wrinkle ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")). The judgment pronounced on David's house because of his sin ([2 Samuel 12:10-12](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10-12 - Consequences for David's House")) highlights the devastating consequences of sin, yet in Christ, the ultimate consequence of sin—eternal death—is overcome for those who believe ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin Is Death")). Jesus, our true King, not only perfectly fulfilled the law but also bore the curse of its transgression, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who, like David, confess their sin and turn to God ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")). He is the righteous King who perfectly executes divine justice and offers boundless mercy, providing the ultimate solution to the problem of sin so vividly exposed in David's life.

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

1 Samuel 15:19

Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

Jeremiah 18:10

If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Amos 2:4

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:

Psalms 139:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].

Psalms 139:2

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Psalms 90:8

Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret [sins] in the light of thy countenance.

1 Samuel 15:23

For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.