Lectionary Year B
July 27, 2003
II Samuel 11:1-15

Step I: Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) The English Standard Version of 2001 and the New International Version of 1978, revised in 1983, and the Revised Standard Version of 1947 read a little differently:

7 how the people were doing and how the war was going. - ESV
how the soldiers were doing and how the war was going.- NIV
how the people fared and how the war prospered. - RSV

11c As you live and as your soul lives - ESV and RSV
As surely as you live, - NIV

14 and sent it by the hand of Uriah. - ESV and RSV
and sent it with Uriah. - NIV

B. Textural Criticism

(JFC) 1 25 Manuscripts read ~ykial'eM.h;, for ~ykial.M;h;, showing it a difference in the Kethibh and Qere. It might be corrected accordingly to be more nearly original. 9 A Septuagint manuscript or two omit the word, tyBe, which would make it read awkwardly at best, so it seems necessary to reject the redaction altogether. 15 It is suggested we read with the Septuagint, abeh', hiphil imperative, for the printed qal imperative Wbh', which might make enough sense in emphasizing the act expected to be executed at David's command as originally spoken and recorded.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 1 It happened in the returning of the season of the year to go out the kings, sent away David Joab and his servants and with him all Israel and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and they besieged/bound Rabbath and David was remaining [qal participle] in Jerusalem. 2 And it happened in the time of the evening that David arose from his couch/bed and walked about on the housetop of the house/palace of the king and he saw/observed a woman bathing from the roof and the woman was in appearance beautiful exceedingly. 3 And sent away David and he inquired of the woman, "Is this not Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" 4 And sent away David messengers and he took/acquired/fetched her and she came to him and he lay with her and she cleansed herself from religious/ethical/sexual uncleanness and she returned to her house. 5 And conceived the woman and she sent and she told unto David, "Pregnant am I." 6 And sent David unto Joab, "Send to me Uriah the Hittite." And sent Joab Uriah to David. 7 And came Uriah unto him and asked David of the peace/well fare of Joab and of the peace/well fare of the people and of the peace/well fare of the war. 8 And said David unto Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet and went out Uriah from the house of the King and went out after him a gift from the King. 9 Lay down Uriah at the opening/doorway/entrance of the house of the King with all the servants of his lord and not did he go down to his house. 10 And they told David to say that not did he go down to his house and said David unto Uriah, "Not did you come from a long distance/way/journey you (emphatic) and going not why not did you go down to your house?" 11 And said Uriah unto David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in booths/thickets and my Lord Joab and the servants/slaves of my lord on the face of a field are camping and I (emphatic) go down to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife as you live and lives your spirit not shall I do this thing this one. 12 And said David unto Uriah, "Remain another day and tomorrow you shall go forth." And remained Uriah in Jerusalem on a day itself onto the morrow. 13 And called out to him David and he ate in his face and he drank and he became drunk and he went out in the evening to lie down on his couch/bed with the servants of his Lord and to his house not did he go down. 14 And it happened in the morning and wrote David a note to Joab and it was sent it in the hand of Uriah. 15 And he wrote in the note saying, "Put Uriah in the front before the war/battle the strongest and withdraw and hit him and kill him.



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