2 Samuel 11:16-26

16 So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where * he knew there were valiant men.
17 The men of the city went out and fought against Joab, and some of the people among David's servants fell; and 1Uriah the Hittite also died.
18 Then Joab sent and reported to David all the events of the war.
19 He charged the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling all the events of the war to the king,
20 and if it happens that the king's wrath rises and he says to you, 'Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall?
21 'Who 2struck down Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?'-then you shall say, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.' "
22 So the messenger departed and came and reported to David all that Joab had sent him to tell.
23 The messenger said to David, "The men prevailed against us and came out against us in the field, but we pressed * them as far as the entrance of the gate.
24 "Moreover, the archers shot at your servants from the wall; so some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead."
25 Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall say to Joab, 'Do not let this thing displease * you, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle against the city stronger and overthrow it'; and so encourage him."
26 Now when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, 3she mourned for her husband.

2 Samuel 11:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 11

This chapter begins with the destruction of the Ammonites, and the siege of Rabbah their chief city, 2Sa 11:1; and enlarges on the sins of David in committing adultery with Bathsheba, 2Sa 11:2-5; in contriving to conceal his sin by sending for her husband home from the army, 2Sa 11:6-13; in laying a scheme for the death of him by the hand of the Ammonites, 2Sa 11:14-25; and in marrying Bathsheba when he was dead, 2Sa 11:26,27.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 2 Samuel 11:21
  • 2. Judges 9:50-54
  • 3. Genesis 50:10; Deuteronomy 34:8; 1 Samuel 31:13

Footnotes 2

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