King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 12:11 Mean?

2 Samuel 12:11 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before ...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.”

2 Samuel 12:11 · KJV

Context

9

Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

10

Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

11

Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

12

For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

13

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

Read 2 Samuel 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Nathan's Rebuke, emphasizing conviction, repentance, consequences. Nathan's prophetic confrontation using parable demonstrates effective rebuke methodology. David's immediate repentance ("I have sinned against the LORD") contrasts with Saul's defensive self-justification. The child's death demonstrates that forgiveness doesn't eliminate all consequences. Theological themes include God's hatred of sin, the necessity of repentance, the distinction between eternal and temporal consequences, and God's grace that continues despite devastating sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 12 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 conviction, repentance, consequences 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of conviction, repentance, consequences?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר2 of 20

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הִנְנִי֩4 of 20
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מֵקִ֨ים5 of 20

“Behold I will raise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עָלֶ֤יךָ6 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רָעָה֙7 of 20

“evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מִבֵּיתֶ֔ךָ8 of 20

“against thee out of thine own house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְלָֽקַחְתִּ֤י9 of 20

“and I will take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת10 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נָשֶׁ֔יךָ11 of 20

“thy wives”

H802

a woman

לְעֵינֵ֖י12 of 20

“before thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְנָֽתַתִּ֖י13 of 20

“and give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְרֵעֶ֑יךָ14 of 20

“them unto thy neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְשָׁכַב֙15 of 20

“and he shall lie”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

עִם16 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

נָשֶׁ֔יךָ17 of 20

“thy wives”

H802

a woman

לְעֵינֵ֖י18 of 20

“before thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ19 of 20

“of this sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

הַזֹּֽאת׃20 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 12:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 12:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 16:21-22Deuteronomy 28:302 Samuel 15:62 Samuel 13:1-142 Samuel 13:28-292 Samuel 15:10

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 12 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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