17
The men of the city came out and fought Joab. Some of the people, namely, some of David's mercenaries, fell and died--including Uriah the Hittite.
18
Then Joab sent [a messenger] to report to David all the details of the battle.
19
And he commanded the messenger, "When you finish telling the king about the battle,
20
the king may become angry. He might ask you, 'Why did you go so close to the city to fight? Didn't you know they would shoot from the wall?
21
Who killed Jerubbesheth's son Abimelech? Didn't a woman on the wall of Thebez throw a small millstone at him and kill him? Why did you go so close to the wall?' If the king asks this, then say, 'Your man Uriah the Hittite is also dead.'"
22
The messenger left, and when he arrived, he reported to David everything Joab told him to say.
23
The messenger said, "Their men overpowered us and came to attack us in the field. Then we forced them back to the entrance of the city gate.
24
The archers on the wall shot down at your mercenaries, and some of Your Majesty's mercenaries died. Your man Uriah the Hittite also is dead."
25
David said to the messenger, "This is what you are to say to Joab, 'Don't let this thing trouble you, because a sword can kill one person as easily as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and destroy it.' Say this to encourage him."
26
When Uriah's wife heard that her husband Uriah was dead, she mourned for him.
27
When her mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to his home, and she became his wife. Then she gave birth to a son. But the LORD considered David's actions evil.