Shmuel II Perek 11

The story of Dovid and Bas-Sheva is one of the more difficult and perplexing stories in the entire Navi. What is written here is just the chronological events that took place. There are many fine points and details that need to be clarified and understood through the eyes of Chazal. The Seforim of Navi are open for all to learn Shabbos 56a: Whoever thinks Dovid committed a sin is mistaken.

· Dovid was in Yerushalayim while his men were in battle with Ammon.

· Dovid, looking down from his roof, saw Bas-Sheva bathing on her roof.

· Dovid found out that her husband, Uriyah HaChiti, was currently on the battlefield.

· Dovid had relations with Bas-Sheva and she became pregnant.

Sanhedrin 107A: Bas- Sheva was destined for Dovid from the six days of creation. Da’as Sofrim explains that Dovid knew through Divine insight that his son, Shlomo, would be born from Bas-Sheva, and he therefore was compelled to be with her before the allotted time was up.

· Dovid sent a message to General Yoav to send Uriyah back home from the battlefield.

· Dovid ordered Uriyah to spend the night at home with Bas-Sheva. Dovid fed Uriyah a feast.

· Uriyah did not obey Dovid, and he spent the night in the palace. Uriyah told Dovid that he felt it was inappropriate for him to go home to his wife while Yisrael and the Ark were in battle.

· Uriyah went back to battle the next day.

· Dovid sent a letter to Yoav, ordering him to send Uriyah to the front line of the battlefield and then retreat his men, thus leaving Uriyah to be killed.

· Yoav carried out Dovid’s command.

· Yoav sent the news of the battle in general, and the death of Uriyah specifically, to Dovid.

· Dovid then sent Yoav a message saying, “causalities of war” naturally happen in battle and therefore he should continue to fight with all of his strength.

· Bas-Sheva mourned the death of her husband, Uriyah.

· After the mourning period was over, Dovid sent for Bas-Sheva and married her.

· What Dovid had done was considered a sin in the eyes of Hashem.