2 Samuel 12:26-31

The Capture of Rabbah

26 Meanwhile, Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal fortress. ¹

27 Then Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city. ^[a]

28 Now, therefore, assemble the rest of the troops, lay siege to the city, and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city, and it will be named after me.”

29 So David assembled all the troops and went to Rabbah; and he fought against it and captured it.

30 Then he took the crown from the head of their king. ^[b] It weighed a talent of gold ^[c] and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city.

31 David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, ^[d] iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. ^[e] He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 12:26-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 12

Nathan is sent to David to charge him with his sin, and convince him of it by a parable, 2Sa 12:1-6; which being accommodated and applied to David's case, brought him to a conviction and acknowledgment of it, and repentance for it, which was forgiven him, 2Sa 12:7-13; though he is told the child begotten in adultery should die, and it was quickly struck with sickness and died; and David's behaviour during its sickness and at its death is recorded, 2Sa 12:14-23; after which Solomon was born to him of the same woman, and had the name of Jedidiah given him by the Lord, which signifies the beloved of the Lord, and as a token of reconciliation, and a confirmation of his sin being forgiven him, 2Sa 12:24,25; and the chapter is concluded with the taking of the city of Rabbah, and the spoil in it, and the usage of the inhabitants of it, 2Sa 12:26-31.

Cross References

• 1. (1 Chronicles 20:1–3)

Footnotes

• [a] Or and have captured the city of waters
• [b] Or from the head of Milcom. Milcom, also called Molech, was god of the Ammonites; see Leviticus 18:21 and 1 Kings 11:7.
• [c] A talent is approximately 75.4 pounds or 34.2 kilograms of gold.
• [d] Literally put them under saws
• [e] Literally and he made them pass through the brick kilns.