2 Samuel 11:23

23 and the messenger saith unto David, `Surely the men have been mighty against us, and come out unto us into the field, and we are upon them unto the opening of the gate,

2 Samuel 11:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 11:23

And the messenger said unto David
The particulars of his account follow:

surely the men prevailed against us;
the men of the city of Rabbah, the besieged there, in one onset they made upon them:

and came out unto us in the field;
the besiegers that lay encamped there; they sallied out upon them:

and we were upon them, even unto the entering of the gate;
rallied upon them, and drove them back, and pursued them to the gate of the city.

2 Samuel 11:23 In-Context

21 Who smote Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast on him a piece of a rider from the wall, and he dieth in Thebez? why drew ye nigh unto the wall? that thou hast said, Also thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.'

22 And the messenger goeth, and cometh in, and declareth to David all that with which Joab sent him,

23 and the messenger saith unto David, `Surely the men have been mighty against us, and come out unto us into the field, and we are upon them unto the opening of the gate,

24 and those shooting shoot at thy servants from off the wall, and [some] of the servants of the king are dead, and also, thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.

25 And David saith unto the messenger, `Thus dost thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing be evil in thine eyes; for thus and thus doth the sword devour; strengthen thy warfare against the city, and throw it down -- and strengthen thou him.'