What does 2 Samuel 11:6 mean?

Bathsheba and David have a problem. Hers is most urgent. Before long, it will become apparent that she is pregnant. Since her husband, Uriah, is currently away at war, she'll be held guilty of adultery. If David doesn't acknowledge that he's the father, she will lose her marriage and social standing—at best. At worst, she'll be stoned (Leviticus 20:10). She is entirely dependent on the king to save her.

David's situation is different, but also dire. If Bathsheba tells people that he's the father, and if they believe her, his relationship with the people of Israel, including his most trusted military leaders, could be harmed beyond repair. Instead of being the respected and trusted hero of Israel, his very kingdom might be threatened. His soldiers would know that their wives aren't safe with their king in Jerusalem. David has spent decades building trust with his warriors. He hasn't been in such danger since the Amalekites kidnapped his men's families and the men threatened to stone him (1 Samuel 30).

David hatches a plan. He sends an order to Joab, the commander of Israel's army. Joab and the army are holding the Ammonite city of Rabbah in a siege, the most common strategy to defeat an enemy city. David tells Joab to send Uriah, a respected general in the army, back to Jerusalem. If Uriah will just go home and sleep with his wife, David and Bathsheba can pretend Uriah's the father (2 Samuel 11:8).

Unfortunately, David taught Uriah well that soldiers are not to have sex while on a mission (1 Samuel 21:4–5). Uriah's intense sense of honor won't let him enjoy his wife while his fellow soldiers are at war.