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, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

◄ 2 Samuel 12:9 ►

New International Version
Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

New Living Translation
Why, then, have you despised the word of the LORD and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.

English Standard Version
Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

New American Standard Bible
Why have you despised the word of the LORD, by doing evil in His sight? You have struck and killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, you have taken his wife as your wife, and you have slaughtered him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

NASB 1995
‘Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

NASB 1977
‘Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

Legacy Standard Bible
Why have you despised the word of Yahweh by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

Amplified Bible
Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife. You have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

Christian Standard Bible
Why then have you despised the LORD’s command by doing what I consider evil? You struck down Uriah the Hethite with the sword and took his wife as your own wife—you murdered him with the Ammonite’s sword.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing what I consider evil? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife as your own wife—you murdered him with the Ammonite’s sword.

American Standard Version
Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight? thou hast smitten 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.

Contemporary English Version
Why did you disobey me and do such a horrible thing? You murdered Uriah the Hittite by letting the Ammonites kill him, so you could take his wife.

English Revised Version
Wherefore hast thou despised the word of the LORD, to do that which is evil in his sight? thou hast smitten 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Why did you despise my word by doing what I considered evil? You had Uriah the Hittite killed in battle. You took his wife as your wife. You used the Ammonites to kill him.

Good News Translation
Why, then, have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle; you let the Ammonites kill him, and then you took his wife!

International Standard Version
"'Why did you despise what the LORD has promised by doing what is detestable in his sight? "'You struck down Uriah the Hittite with a battle sword. "'You took his wife to be your own. "'You killed him with the sword of the Ammonite army.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Why have you shown contempt for the word of the LORD by doing evil in my sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and you have taken his wife as your own! You have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

New Heart English Bible
Why have you despised the LORD, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hethite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

Webster's Bible Translation
Why 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.

World English Bible
Why have you despised Yahweh’s word, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Why have you despised the word of YHWH, to do evil in His eyes? You have struck Uriah the Hittite by the sword, and you have taken his wife for a wife for yourself, and you have slain him by the sword of the sons of Ammon.

Young's Literal Translation
'Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do the evil thing in His eyes? Uriah the Hittite thou hast smitten by the sword, and his wife thou hast taken to thee for a wife, and him thou hast slain by the sword of the Bene-Ammon.

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore didst thou despise the word of Jehovah to do evil in his eyes? Uriah the Hittite thou didst strike with the sword, and his wife thou tookest to thee for a wife, and thou didst kill him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Why therefore hast thou despised the word of the Lord, to do evil in my sight? Thou hast killed Urias the Hethite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, why have you despised the word of the Lord, so that you did evil in my sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword. And you have taken his wife as a wife for yourself. And you have put him to death with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

New American Bible
Why have you despised the LORD and done what is evil in his sight? You have cut down Uriah the Hittite with the sword; his wife you took as your own, and him you killed with the sword of the Ammonites.

New Revised Standard Version
Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD and have done that which is evil in the sight of the LORD? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Why have you treated as madness the commandment of LORD JEHOVAH, and have done what is evil before LORD JEHOVAH? Uriah the Khitite you have murdered with the sword and his wife you have taken to yourself as a wife, and him you killed with the sword of the sons of Amun!

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore hast thou despised the word of the LORD, to do that which is evil in My sight? Uriah the Hittite thou hast smitten with the sword, and his wife thou hast taken to be thy wife, and him thou hast slain with the sword of the children of Ammon.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Why hast thou set at nought the word of the Lord, to do that which is evil in his eyes? thou hast slain Urias the Chettite with the sword, and thou hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and thou hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Nathan Rebukes David
…8I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. 9Why 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, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 20:13-14
You shall not murder. / You shall not commit adultery.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 Kings 15:5
For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Psalm 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.

Romans 7:7
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

Romans 13:9
The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Genesis 39:9
No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

Proverbs 6:32
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.

Jeremiah 7:9
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,

Ezekiel 18:24
But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.

Hosea 4:2
Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.

Treasury of Scripture

Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? you have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

despised

2 Samuel 12:10
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.

2 Samuel 11:4,14-17
And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house…

Genesis 9:5,6
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man…

to do evil

2 Chronicles 33:6
And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Psalm 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Psalm 90:8
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

thou hast

2 Samuel 11:15-27
And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die…

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2 Samuel 12

1. Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.
7. David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned
15. David mourns and prays for the child while it lives
24. Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah
26. David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof

Berean Study Bible

Why then have you despised
The Hebrew word for "despised" is "בָּזָה" (bazah), which conveys a sense of contempt or disdain. In the context of this verse, it highlights the gravity of David's actions against God's commandments. This word choice underscores the seriousness of sin, not just as a violation of law, but as an affront to God's character and authority. It serves as a reminder that sin is not merely a personal failing but a relational breach with God.

the word of the LORD
The "word of the LORD" refers to God's commandments and instructions, which were given to guide His people in righteousness. In the Hebrew context, "דְּבַר־יְהוָה" (devar-YHWH) signifies not just spoken words but the divine will and covenantal promises. David's actions are a direct violation of the covenant relationship, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's revealed will as a measure of faithfulness.

by doing evil in His sight
"Evil" in Hebrew is "רַע" (ra), which encompasses actions that are morally wrong and harmful. The phrase "in His sight" indicates that all actions are visible to God, who is the ultimate judge of human behavior. This serves as a sobering reminder that nothing is hidden from God, and that our actions are always under His scrutiny. It calls believers to live with integrity, knowing that God sees and evaluates all.

You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword
The act of striking down Uriah is a direct reference to David's orchestration of Uriah's death. The use of "the sword" symbolizes violence and murder, which are stark violations of God's commandments. Uriah, a Hittite, was a loyal soldier, and his murder highlights the betrayal and misuse of power by David. This phrase serves as a caution against the abuse of authority and the destructive consequences of sin.

and took his wife as your own
This phrase highlights the sin of adultery, which David committed with Bathsheba. The Hebrew context emphasizes the taking of another man's wife as a grievous sin, violating the sanctity of marriage. It underscores the importance of fidelity and the destructive nature of lust and covetousness. This serves as a warning to guard one's heart and to honor the commitments made before God.

for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites
The mention of "the sword of the Ammonites" indicates that David used Israel's enemies to accomplish his sinful plan, further compounding his guilt. This phrase highlights the irony and tragedy of using God's enemies to carry out personal vendettas. It serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sin and the importance of seeking God's ways rather than resorting to worldly methods.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Hast slain him.--This is a different and stronger word than "killed" in the first part of the verse, and might well be translated murdered. It was murder in the eyes of the Lord, although accomplished indirectly by the sword of the Ammonites.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Why
מַדּ֜וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

then have you despised
בָּזִ֣יתָ ׀ (bā·zî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 959: To disesteem

the command
דְּבַ֣ר (də·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

by doing
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

evil
הָרַע֮ (hā·ra‘)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

in His sight?
בְּעֵינַי֒ (bə·‘ê·nay)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

You struck down
הִכִּ֣יתָ (hik·kî·ṯā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

Uriah
אוּרִיָּ֤ה (’ū·rî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 223: Uriah -- 'flame of Yah', the name of a Hittite and of two Israelites

the Hittite
הַֽחִתִּי֙ (ha·ḥit·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2850: Hittite -- a Chittite

with the sword
בַחֶ֔רֶב (ḇa·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

and took
לָקַ֥חְתָּ (lā·qaḥ·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

his wife
אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

as your own,
לְאִשָּׁ֑ה (lə·’iš·šāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

for you have slain him
הָרַ֔גְתָּ (hā·raḡ·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

with the sword
בְּחֶ֖רֶב (bə·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

of the Ammonites.
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

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OT History: 2 Samuel 12:9 Why have you despised the word (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)