2 Samuel 11:1
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִי֩
H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִתְשׁוּבַ֨ת
was expired
H8666
לִתְשׁוּבַ֨ת
was expired
Strong's:
H8666
Word #:
2 of 26
a recurrence (of time or place); a reply (as returned)
הַשָּׁנָ֜ה
And it came to pass after the year
H8141
הַשָּׁנָ֜ה
And it came to pass after the year
Strong's:
H8141
Word #:
3 of 26
a year (as a revolution of time)
לְעֵ֣ת׀
at the time
H6256
לְעֵ֣ת׀
at the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
4 of 26
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
צֵ֣את
go forth
H3318
צֵ֣את
go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 26
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
7 of 26
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עִמּ֜וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֜וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
13 of 26
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
with him and all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
with him and all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּשְׁחִ֙תוּ֙
and they destroyed
H7843
וַיַּשְׁחִ֙תוּ֙
and they destroyed
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
17 of 26
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
19 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֔וֹן
of Ammon
H5983
עַמּ֔וֹן
of Ammon
Strong's:
H5983
Word #:
20 of 26
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
וַיָּצֻ֖רוּ
and besieged
H6696
וַיָּצֻ֖רוּ
and besieged
Strong's:
H6696
Word #:
21 of 26
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַבָּ֑ה
Rabbah
H7237
רַבָּ֑ה
Rabbah
Strong's:
H7237
Word #:
23 of 26
rabbah, the name of two places in palestine, east and west
Cross References
1 Chronicles 20:1And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.1 Kings 20:26And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Ben-hadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.1 Kings 20:22And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee.Ecclesiastes 3:8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.Deuteronomy 3:11For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.Ezekiel 21:20Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.2 Chronicles 36:10And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
Historical Context
The historical setting of 2 Samuel 11 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding devastating consequences of sin provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen your understanding of devastating consequences of sin?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
- In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
This verse contributes to the narrative of David and Bathsheba, emphasizing devastating consequences of sin. David's adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah represent the nadir of his reign. The Hebrew narrative's sparse, matter-of-fact reporting heightens the horror. The phrase "but the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" (v. 27) marks divine displeasure. This chapter demonstrates that even "a man after God's own heart" can fall catastrophically when neglecting spiritual disciplines and succumbing to temptation. Cross-references to Psalm 51 reveal David's repentance.