First Reading
2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
11:1And it happened at the return of the year, at the time when kings go forth to war, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel, and they spoiled the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabba: but David remained in Jerusalem.
2In the mean time it happened that David arose from his bed after noon, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and he saw from the roof of his house a woman washing herself, over against him: and the woman was very beautiful.
3And the king sent, and inquired who the woman was. And it was told him, that she was Bethsabee the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Urias the Hethite.
4And David sent messengers, and took her, and she came in to him, and he slept with her: and presently she was purified from her uncleanness:
5And she returned to her house having conceived. And she sent and told David, and said: I have conceived.
6And David sent to Joab, saying: Send me Urias the Hethite. And Joab sent Urias to David.
7And Urias came to David. And David asked how Joab did, and the people, and how the war was carried on.
8And David said to Urias: Go into your house, and wash your feet. And Urias went out from the king's house, and there went out after him a mess of food from the king.
9But Urias slept before the gate of the king's house, with the other servants of his lord, and went not down to his own house.
10And it was told David by some that said: Urias went not to his house. And David said to Urias: Did you not come from your journey? why did you not go down to your house?
13And David called him to eat and to drink before him, and he made him drunk: and he went out in the evening, and slept on his couch with the servants of his lord, and went not down into his house.
14And when the morning was come, David wrote a letter to Joab: and sent it by the hand of Urias,
15Writing in the letter: Set you Urias in the front of the battle, where the fight is strongest: and leave you him, that he may be wounded and die.
16Therefore as Joab was besieging the city, he put Urias in the place where he knew the bravest men were.
17And the men coming out of the city, fought against Joab, and there fell some of the people of the servants of David, and Urias the Hethite was killed also.