January 30, 2006, Friday of the third week in ordinary time.

A reading from the second book of Samuel.

At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign,

David sent al-Jab along with his officers and the army of Israel,

and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabah.

David, however, remained in Jerusalem.

One evening, David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace.

From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful.

David had inquiries made about the woman and was told,

she is Bathsheba, daughter of Aliam, and wife of Joab's armor bearer, Uriah the Hittite.

Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her.

She then returned to her house. But the woman

had conceived and sent the information to David, I am with child. David therefore sent a

message to Joab, send me Yariah the Hittite. So Joab sent Yoriah to David. When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going,

and Yoriah answered that all was well.

David then said to Yeriah,

Go down to your house and bathe your feet.

Yeraya left the palace and a portion was sent out after him from the king's table.

But Yeraya slept at the entrance of the royal palace with the other officers of his lord

and did not go down to his own house. David was told that Uriah had not gone home.

On the day following, David summoned him, and he ate and drank with David, who made him

drunk.

...