2 Samuel 11:27
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Even after Bathsheba joined David's household and they had a son, the narrator emphasizes that the action itself still deeply displeased God, not just the outcome. This shows that God's view of David's sin is not erased by subsequent events or even a new family. The focus remains on the moral wrongness of David taking another man's wife.
And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David, consumed by lust, committed adultery with Bathsheba and then orchestrated the murder of her husband, Uriah, to cover his sin. After Bathsheba's period of mourning ended, David brought her into his royal household as his wife, seemingly moving on from the devastating events. Yet, despite this outward appearance of resolution, the text immediately reminds us that God saw David's actions and was deeply displeased.
David thought he had cleaned up his mess. The public mourning was over, Bathsheba was now his wife, and a son was born. What could possibly go wrong?
It's easy to think that if a situation is resolved publicly or legally, everything is fine. David manipulated circumstances to cover his sin of adultery and murder. He brought Bathsheba into his home, making her his wife, and even had a son with her. On the surface, it looked like a tragic event that was now in the past.
But Scripture is clear: God's perspective is entirely different. He looks at the heart and the reality of the sin, not just the outward appearance. What David did – his lust, his deception, his orchestration of Uriah's death – was not hidden from God. The Lord's displeasure was a direct response to the deep-seated corruption David allowed in his life, regardless of David's attempts to smooth things over.
David got what he thought he wanted: Bathsheba as his wife and a son. But this wasn't just a happy ending; it was the beginning of serious consequences.
The birth of this son, Solomon, is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as he would become David's successor. However, this son was conceived and born into a situation steeped in sin and covered by deception.
This concept highlights the far-reaching consequences of sin. David's actions didn't just affect him and Bathsheba; they cast a shadow over the child born from their union. While God still used Solomon mightily, the immediate context of his birth is marked by divine displeasure. It's a sober reminder that our choices have ripples that extend beyond ourselves and can impact generations.
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Understand the original words
ebel · Hebrew Noun
'Mourning' refers to the period or state of grieving for the dead. Biblically, this often involved defined periods of time, specific behaviors like wearing sackcloth or abstaining from joyful activities, and was a communal acknowledgment of the permanence of death.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
In the Old Testament, 'the LORD' represents the personal name of God, Yahweh (YHWH). It signifies His covenant relationship with His people, His holiness, His justice, and His sovereignty as the Creator and Redeemer.
ra' · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
The Hebrew word here signifies something that is evil, bad, or wicked in the sight of God. It denotes a moral failure or act that stands in direct opposition to God’s holiness and commands, eliciting His divine judgment or displeasure.
This event occurs during a period of David's greatest outward success as king, highlighting that even at the height of power, moral failure and its devastating consequences can strike.
c. 1000 BC
David Anoints King
Samuel the prophet anoints David as the future king of Israel, a pivotal moment setting the stage for his eventual reign.
c. 990 BC
David Establishes Jerusalem
David captures Jerusalem, making it the capital of his united kingdom and a center for religious and political life.
c. 990-980 BC
David's Military Campaigns
David leads successful military campaigns, expanding Israel's territory and solidifying his power as king.
c. 980 BC— this verse
David's Adultery with Bathsheba
While his army is at war, David sees Bathsheba bathing, commits adultery with her, and orchestrates her husband Uriah's death.
c. 980 BC
Nathan Confronts David
The prophet Nathan confronts David with a parable, exposing his sin. David repents, but the consequences are severe.
c. 979 BC
Death of First Son
The son born to David and Bathsheba dies, a direct consequence of their sin and David's actions.
This passage highlights that obedience is more valuable to God than sacrifice, echoing the Lord's displeasure with David's actions that prioritized his own desires over God's commands.
Psalm 51:1-17This psalm is David's personal confession and repentance following his sin with Bathsheba, directly showing the deep distress and shame David felt because his actions displeased the Lord.
Proverbs 14:12This proverb warns that there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death, perfectly illustrating David's misguided actions that ultimately brought trouble.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse describes the deceitfulness and wickedness of the human heart, which resonates with David's lapse in judgment and moral failing despite his position as king.
Even after Bathsheba joined David's household and they had a son, the narrator emphasizes that the action itself still deeply displeased God, not just the outcome. This shows that God's view of David's sin is not erased by subsequent events or even a new family. The focus remains on the moral wrongness of David taking another man's wife.
David, consumed by lust, committed adultery with Bathsheba and then orchestrated the murder of her husband, Uriah, to cover his sin. After Bathsheba's period of mourning ended, David brought her into his royal household as his wife, seemingly moving on from the devastating events. Yet, despite this outward appearance of resolution, the text immediately reminds us that God saw David's actions and was deeply displeased.
David, consumed by lust, committed adultery with Bathsheba and then orchestrated the murder of her husband, Uriah, to cover his sin. After Bathsheba's period of mourning ended, David brought her into his royal household as his wife, seemingly moving on from the devastating events. Yet, despite this outward appearance of resolution, the text immediately reminds us that God saw David's actions and was deeply displeased.
"And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD." — Even after Bathsheba joined David's household and they had a son, the narrator emphasizes that the action itself still deeply displeased God, not just the outcome. This shows that God's view of Dav…
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Last reviewed October 2026
