2 Samuel 11:24

24 And the shooters shot from upon the wall against thy servants; and some of the king's servants are dead, and thy servant Urijah the Hittite is dead also.

2 Samuel 11:24 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 11:24

And the shooters shot from off of the wall upon thy
servants
Arrows out of their bows, or stones out of their engines; the Israelites following them so closely to the gate of the city, came within the reach of their shot from the wall:

and [some] of the king's servants be dead;
killed in the sally upon them, and by the shot from the wall:

and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also;
the messenger did not entirely obey the orders of Joab to wait and observe if the king's wrath arose, but was in haste to tell him the last piece of news; perhaps he had some suspicion, from the manner of Joab's telling him what he should say, that this would be acceptable to the king.

2 Samuel 11:24 In-Context

22 And the messenger went; and he came and told David all that Joab had sent him for.

23 And the messenger said to David, The men prevailed against us, and came out against us into the field, and we were upon them as far as the entrance of the gate.

24 And the shooters shot from upon the wall against thy servants; and some of the king's servants are dead, and thy servant Urijah the Hittite is dead also.

25 Then David said to the messenger, Thus shalt thou say to Joab: Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devours one as well as another: make thy battle strong against the city, and overthrow it; -- and encourage him.

26 And the wife of Urijah heard that Urijah her husband was dead, and she mourned for her husband.