[7] Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls including 4Q51 (4QSama; 100–50 BCE) with extant verses 1, 3–5, 8–9, 13–20, 29–31.

[8][9][10][11] Extant ancient manuscripts of a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint (originally was made in the last few centuries BCE) include Codex Vaticanus (B;

Scenes C and D recount the plot that got Uriah killed, whereas C' and D' report God's response to David's crime: the child would die.

[15] The last statement in the previous chapter shows that David's actions towards Bathsheba and Uriah was unacceptable to God (2 Samuel 11:27b).

[20] Verses 7b–10 and 11–12 are two distinctive units, each with its own beginning and a prophetic-messenger formula, deal with different aspects of David's crime and consequent judgement.

[20] The birth record could also be inserted to avoid the identification of Solomon as David's illegitimate son.

[20] At this time Joab managed to capture 'the royal citadel', a fortified area of Rabbah, so he was in control of the city's water supply (verse 27).

David was then invited to lead the final charge of the army, so that the city could be reckoned as his conquest.