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."