Joab Reads The Order While Uriah Advances Toward Rabbah’S Wall

16So when Joab was watching the city, he stationed Uriah in the place where he knew the mighty men were.

17The men of the city came out and fought against Joab, and some of the people among David’s servants fell; Uriah the Hittite also died.

18Then Joab sent word and told David all the news of the battle.

19And he commanded the messenger, saying, “When you have finished telling the king all the news of the battle,”

20And if the king’s anger rises and he says to you, ‘Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not know what they would shoot from the wall?’

21Who struck down Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who threw an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go near the wall?’ Then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’

22So the messenger went and came and told David all that Joab had sent him to say.

23The messenger said to David, “The men were stronger than we were, and they came out against us into the open field; but we pressed them back as far as the entrance of the gate.”

24The archers shot at your servants from atop the wall, and some of the king’s servants died; your servant Uriah the Hittite also died.

25Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter be evil in your eyes, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.”