2 Samuel 11:19

And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,

And charged {H6680} the messenger {H4397}, saying {H559}, When thou hast made an end {H3615} of telling {H1696} the matters {H1697} of the war {H4421} unto the king {H4428},

and he instructed the messenger, "When you have finished telling the king all the news about the war,

and instructed the messenger, โ€œWhen you have finished giving the king all the details of the battle,

and he charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling all the things concerning the war unto the king,

Commentary

This verse, 2 Samuel 11:19, marks a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of King David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent cover-up leading to the death of Uriah the Hittite. It reveals David's calculated manipulation as he prepares to receive news from the battlefield.

Context

The preceding chapters detail David's adultery with Bathsheba and his desperate attempts to conceal the pregnancy. When his initial plan to have Uriah return home and sleep with his wife failed due to Uriah's unwavering loyalty and adherence to military custom (2 Samuel 11:11), David escalated his sin. He sent Uriah back to the front lines with a letter to Joab, his commander, instructing him to place Uriah in the thickest of the battle so he would be killed. This verse, 2 Samuel 11:19, finds David giving specific instructions to the messenger (a KJV term for a runner or envoy) on how to deliver the battle report, particularly how to break the news of Uriah's death to mitigate David's apparent culpability.

Key Themes

  • Manipulation and Deception: David is actively managing the narrative, attempting to control the flow of information to protect his reputation and hide his grave sin.
  • Abuse of Power: As king, David uses his authority over Joab and the messenger to orchestrate a murder and its subsequent cover-up, demonstrating the corrupting nature of unchecked power.
  • The Slippery Slope of Sin: This verse highlights how one sin (adultery) can quickly lead to a series of escalating transgressions, including deception and murder, as David attempts to avoid accountability.
  • Human Fallibility: Even a "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22) is capable of profound moral failure, reminding us that no one is beyond temptation.

Linguistic Insights

The word "charged" in KJV (ื•ึทื™ึฐืฆึทื•ึผึถื”, vayetzavveh) comes from the Hebrew root ืฆึธื•ึธื” (tsavah), meaning "to command" or "to instruct with authority." This isn't a suggestion but a direct, authoritative order from the king to his messenger, emphasizing David's control and deliberate intent in orchestrating the delivery of the news about the battle at Rabbah.

Practical Application

The account of David's sin and its aftermath, including this verse, serves as a powerful cautionary tale:

  • The Danger of Unconfessed Sin: David's attempt to hide his sin only led to deeper transgression. It reminds us that sin will always find you out, and true freedom comes through confession and repentance (1 John 1:9).
  • Accountability for Leaders: This narrative underscores the immense responsibility of those in authority and the potential for their power to be misused. It's a call for integrity and ethical leadership.
  • God's Justice and Mercy: While David's actions had severe consequences (2 Samuel 12:10), the story also includes God's grace and David's eventual repentance and restoration, as seen in Psalm 51.
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Cross-References

No cross-references found.