Thank you for the question on King David’s sins, “Was the sinful deeds of David the King of Israel known to the people in his days?”
As one reads II Samuel 11, it appears that King David sins were hidden, but that is not the case. The individuals who knew about David’s sins are as follows:
A. The servant of King David knew of her marital status: vs. 2–3
The text says that this servant knew what King David was thinking: “One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages). Bible citations are from the New International Version.
B. The messengers of King David knew his intention and adultery.
The text states that King David sent messengers to Bathsheba to come to him. It appears that Bathsheba may have refused the initial requests since the text states that he sent messengers, plural. Verse 4 says this, “Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her” (NIV).
C. The guards in the palace saw a woman entering the palace as well as the posted guard outside the king’s bedroom door.
Although the text does not state that palace guards were present that evening, it is likely since they would be protecting the king.
D. Joab, the commander, knew something as amiss when King David asked that Uriah be sent to the most deadliest point of the battle to be killed. He may have concluded that there was something between Uriah’s wife and King David since he married her.
The text says this, “David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab“ (NIV).
E. The palace physician and servants observed the irregularities of Bathsheba’s pregnancy. Her pregnancy was sooner than what a normal pregnancy would be.
Again the Bible text doesn’t state anything about the palace physicians or servants. Would they be able to avoid seeing the abnormal pregnancy so soon!
One can conclude reasonably that the palace soldiers and servants knew something was amiss with Bathsheba’s pregnancy. King David appeared to be the comforting and kind king by marrying another man’s wife. There must have been whispers in the palace but no one said anything public.
It is only when Nathan the Prophet confronted King David about his deception, adultery, and murder in a court hearing that all the royal family and guests knew of David’s evil deeds. David thought that he “got away” with his evil deed with his cover up by marrying Bathsheba. He was so wrong. David’s sins became a public matter.
SUMMARY: One can hide one’s sin(s) for a time, but that sin will trouble one’s soul and the fear of discovery is something one doesn’t want to live with in the rest of one life.
For more perspectives: