2 Samuel 11:12
ESV
Then David said to Uriah, "Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back." So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.
NIV
Then David said to him, "Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back." So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.
NASB
Then David said to Uriah, 'Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you go back.' So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the day after.
CSB
"Stay here today also," David said to Uriah, "and tomorrow I will send you back." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.
NLT
Well, stay here today,' David told him, 'and tomorrow you may return to the army.' So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.
KJV
And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
NKJV
Then David said to Uriah, “Wait here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.
What does 2 Samuel 11:12 mean?
David is still trying to disguise that he impregnated the wife of one of his most trusted warriors. He has called in that very man, Uriah, from a battle with the Ammonites. David expects him to go home and sleep with his wife. If he does, David and Bathsheba can pretend the child is Uriah's. If he doesn't, everyone will know it's not (2 Samuel 11:1–8).His first night home, Uriah sleeps in the barracks with David's servants. When questioned, Uriah says that his fellow soldiers, not to mention the ark of the covenant, are in tents in a field; he has no right to indulge in comfort (2 Samuel 11:9–11). This isn't only normal practice in David's army; it's the law (1 Samuel 21:5; Deuteronomy 23:9–11).
David tries one more time. This time, he gets Uriah drunk, trying to lower his inhibitions and his honor. Uriah stays true. Again, Uriah stays with David's servants (2 Samuel 11:13).
This is a disaster. David's servants know Uriah never went home. They also know David called for Bathsheba some weeks before. The people will realize David slept with his general's wife while that general was out fighting a battle that David ordered. David's most trusted mighty men will know they can't trust their king with their wives. Uriah can call for David's and Bathsheba's execution. If David can't make everyone believe the baby is Uriah's, he must make them think the child is legitimate. The only way to make that happen quickly enough is if Uriah dies and Bathsheba marries David (2 Samuel 11:14–27).
