New International VersionJoab then sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply.
New Living TranslationJoab sent messengers to tell David, “I have fought against Rabbah and captured its water supply.
English Standard VersionAnd Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters.
Berean Standard BibleThen Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city.
King James BibleAnd Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
New King James VersionAnd Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city’s water supply.
New American Standard BibleThen Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters.
NASB 1995Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters.
NASB 1977And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters.
Amplified BibleJoab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; I have even taken the city of waters.
Christian Standard BibleThen Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have also captured its water supply.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have also captured the water supply.
American Standard VersionAnd Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah; yea, I have taken the city of waters.
Contemporary English Versionand sent a messenger to tell David: I have attacked Rabbah and captured the fortress guarding the city water supply.
English Revised VersionAnd Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, yea, I have taken the city of waters.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSo he sent messengers to tell David, "I fought against Rabbah and captured the fortress guarding its water supply.
Good News TranslationHe sent messengers to David to report: "I have attacked Rabbah and have captured its water supply.
International Standard VersionThen Joab sent messengers to David to tell him, "I just attacked Rabbah and captured its municipal water supply,
NET BibleJoab then sent messengers to David, saying, "I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city.
New Heart English BibleJoab sent messengers to David, and said, "I have fought against Rabbah, and have also taken the water supply of the city.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city.
World English BibleJoab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah. Yes, I have taken the city of waters. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Joab sends messengers to David and says, “I have fought against Rabbah—I have also captured the city of waters;
Young's Literal Translation and Joab sendeth messengers unto David, and saith, 'I have fought against Rabbah -- also I have captured the city of waters;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Joab will send messengers to David, and say, I fought against Rabbah, also I took the city of waters. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Joab sent messengers to David, saying: I have fought against Rabbath, and the city of waters is about to be taken.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd Joab sent messengers to David, saying: “I have struggled against Rabbah, and so the City of Waters will soon be seized.
New American BibleHe sent messengers to David to say: “I have fought against Rabbah and have taken the water-city.
New Revised Standard VersionJoab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the water city. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Joab sent messengers to David and said, I have fought against Rabbath and I have also taken the royal city.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Yuab sent Messengers to David and he said: “I have fought with Rabbath and also I have seized the city of the kingdom OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Joab sent messengers to David, and said: 'I have fought against Rabbah, yea, I have taken the city of waters.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbath, and taken the city of waters.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Capture of Rabbah26Meanwhile, Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal fortress. 27Then JoabsentmessengerstoDavidto say,“I have foughtagainst Rabbahand havecapturedthe water supplyof the city.28Now, 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.”…
Cross References 1 Chronicles 20:1-2In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the Ammonites. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it. / Then David took the crown from the head of their king. It was found to weigh a talent of gold 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.
2 Samuel 11:1In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab and his servants with the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 5:6-9Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.” / Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). / On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.” ...
1 Kings 11:15-16Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.
1 Chronicles 11:4-6Then David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus), where the Jebusites inhabited the land. / The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). / Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.
2 Samuel 8:1-2Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.
2 Samuel 10:7-14On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. / The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. / When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. ...
2 Samuel 17:13If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”
2 Samuel 21:15-17Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”
2 Samuel 23:14-16At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem. / David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” / So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,
1 Kings 15:5For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
1 Chronicles 18:1-2Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.
1 Chronicles 19:10-15When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. / “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. ...
Matthew 1:6and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,
Acts 13:22After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’
Treasury of Scripture And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. Rabbah 2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forthto battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedsteadwas a bedstead of iron;is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubitswas the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man. Ezekiel 21:20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced. Jump to Previous CapturedCityDavidFoughtJoabJo'abMessengersMoreoverRabbahSupplyWarWaterWatersJump to Next CapturedCityDavidFoughtJoabJo'abMessengersMoreoverRabbahSupplyWarWaterWaters2 Samuel 12 1.Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.7.David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned15.David mourns and prays for the child while it lives24.Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah26.David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereofThen Joab sent messengers to DavidJoab, the commander of David's army, often acted as a military leader and intermediary between the battlefield and the king. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Israel's military and governance. Joab's role is significant throughout David's reign, often executing the king's orders and sometimes acting independently, as seen in his dealings with Absalom. The sending of messengers indicates the importance of communication in military campaigns and the reliance on trusted individuals to convey critical information. to say, “I have fought against Rabbah Rabbah was the capital city of the Ammonites, located in present-day Amman, Jordan. The Ammonites were often in conflict with Israel, and Rabbah was a strategic target due to its location and resources. The siege of Rabbah is part of a larger campaign against the Ammonites, which began in2 Samuel 11. This conflict highlights the ongoing territorial and political struggles in the region during David's reign. The phrase underscores Joab's role in leading the military efforts and his success in engaging the enemy. and have captured the water supply of the city. Capturing the water supply was a strategic military tactic, as it would weaken the city's defenses and force a surrender. Water was a critical resource, especially in the arid regions of the Near East, and controlling it could determine the outcome of a siege. This action demonstrates Joab's tactical acumen and the importance of resource control in ancient warfare. The capture of the water supply also foreshadows the eventual fall of Rabbah, as it would have severely compromised the city's ability to sustain itself during the siege. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoabThe commander of King David's army, known for his military prowess and loyalty to David, though sometimes acting independently. 2. DavidThe King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who is dealing with the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba at this time. 3. RabbahThe capital city of the Ammonites, located in present-day Jordan, which was under siege by David's forces. 4. Water SupplyA strategic asset in ancient warfare, controlling it often meant controlling the city. 5. MessengersIndividuals sent by Joab to communicate the progress of the siege to King David. Teaching Points The Importance of Leadership AccountabilityJoab's message to David underscores the need for leaders to be informed and involved, even when delegating tasks. Consequences of SinThe siege of Rabbah is a direct consequence of David's sin, reminding us that our actions have far-reaching effects. Strategic Wisdom in WarfareCapturing the water supply demonstrates the importance of strategic thinking in overcoming challenges, applicable to spiritual battles as well. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite human failings, God’s plans prevail, as seen in the eventual capture of Rabbah, fulfilling His purposes for Israel. Repentance and RestorationDavid's journey from sin to repentance and restoration is a powerful reminder of God's grace and the possibility of redemption. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 12
Who was Ahithophel in the Bible?
God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine? Seven (2 Samuel 24:13) Three (I Chronicles 21:12)
Why does 1 Chronicles 18:12 credit Abishai with killing 18,000 Edomites, while 2 Samuel 8:13 attributes the same victory to David?
How does 1 Chronicles 27's census reconcile with other conflicting census figures in the Bible (e.g., 2 Samuel 24)?
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then Joabיוֹאָ֛ב(yō·w·’āḇ)Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3097:Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelitessentוַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח(way·yiš·laḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outmessengersמַלְאָכִ֖ים(mal·’ā·ḵîm)Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4397:A messenger, of God, an angeltoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toDavidדָּוִ֑ד(dā·wiḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesseto say,וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559:To utter, say“I have foughtנִלְחַ֣מְתִּי(nil·ḥam·tî)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3898:To feed on, to consume, to battleagainst Rabbahבְרַבָּ֔ה(ḇə·rab·bāh)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7237:Rabbah -- two places in Israeland have alsoגַּם־(gam-)Conjunction Strong's 1571:Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, andcapturedלָכַ֖דְתִּי(lā·ḵaḏ·tî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3920:To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to coherethe water supply.הַמָּֽיִם׃(ham·mā·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semen
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OT History: 2 Samuel 12:27 Joab sent messengers to David and said (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |