Bible Strands
2 Samuel 11:27
And when the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative recounts David’s actions immediately after Uriah’s widow completes her mourning period. The text places this moment right after the report of Uriah’s death and the widow’s grief.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יַּעֲבֹ֣ר (va/i.ya.'a.Vor) literally means "and it passed," marking the end of the mourning. The term הָ/אֵ֗בֶל (ha./'E.vel) specifies that exact period of mourning for the deceased husband.
The thread — The phrase "evil in the sight of the LORD" reappears in 2 Samuel 12:9, 1 Chronicles 21:7, and Psalms 51:4 to mark actions that provoke divine judgment. These references consistently tie human transgression to direct accountability before God.
Why it lands — The text states plainly that David’s political maneuvering and personal desire were condemned as evil by God. It requires the reader to accept that authority and circumstance do not neutralize moral accountability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 12:9 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. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.
- Psalms 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
- 1 Chronicles 21:7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel.
- Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
- Genesis 38:10 What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.
- Deuteronomy 22:29 then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.
- 2 Samuel 3:2 And sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel;
- 2 Samuel 5:13 After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
- Psalms 5:6 You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.