And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

2 SAMUEL 11:27KJV
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2 Samuel 11:27 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 11:27 mean?

2 Samuel 11:27 describes how, after the period of mourning for Uriah, David brought Bathsheba into his house, married her, and she gave birth to his son. However, the verse makes clear that what David had done was displeasing to the LORD.

This verse comes at the end of the story where King David, after arranging the death of Uriah (Bathsheba’s husband), tries to cover up his actions by marrying Bathsheba. The narrator points out that, although David’s actions might have seemed successful on the surface, God was not pleased. The verse signals a turning point, setting up the consequences that will follow in the next chapters.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 11:27

  • "mourning" (אָבֶל, ’āvel): This word refers to the formal period of grieving after a death. The verse notes that David waited until this time was over before marrying Bathsheba, likely to make the marriage appear legitimate.
  • "displeased" (יֵרַע, yera‘ from רַע, ra‘, and עֵינֵי, ‘einei): The phrase "displeased the LORD" literally means "was evil in the eyes of the LORD." This stresses that God saw David’s actions as morally wrong, regardless of how they appeared to people.

Why 2 Samuel 11:27 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David’s outward actions—waiting for mourning and marrying Bathsheba—did not hide the wrongdoing from God’s perspective.
  • The statement that the LORD was displeased shifts the focus from human judgment to divine judgment, highlighting God’s moral standard.
  • This verse marks a transition from David’s attempt to cover up his sin to the consequences that will unfold, setting the stage for the prophet Nathan’s confrontation in the next chapter.

Where else these words appear

“mourning” Hebrew H60 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
  • Esther 9:22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
  • Jeremiah 16:7 Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.

“displeased” Hebrew H3415 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 21:11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
  • 1 Samuel 1:8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
  • Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.