Useful Bible Studies > 2 Samuel Commentary > chapter 11
Once, David had promised not to rest on his bed until he had established a place for God in Israel (Psalm 132:1-5). Now, however, we read that he was resting on his bed. The meaning seems to be that he slept during the hottest part of the day. It became cooler as the evening approached. Then he got up to walk on the roof of his palace, which he used as an outdoor room. Although Israel was at war, David was relaxing at home. From the roof, David had a good view over Jerusalem, the new city that he had built.
He watched the people for whom he, as king, had responsibility. After the heat of the day, they were going about the city, to carry out their business before it was too late. There, for example, was a woman in one of the houses that belonged to David’s best soldiers. She was washing. David saw her, and he considered her beautiful.
David should have looked away (Matthew 5:27-28). He should not have allowed himself to think about how beautiful she was. He was allowing his own wrong desires to tempt him to do something evil (James 1:14). David truly loved God - but he was allowing his wrong desires to spoil his relationship with God (see Psalm 51). Our wrong desires are the complete opposite of love for God (1 John 2:15-16). David would soon discover that but, for the moment, he foolishly allowed his emotions to direct his actions.
Next part: Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:3)
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