2 Samuel 11:23

Verse

The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

And the man said to David, Truly the men got the better of us, and came out against us into the open country, but we sent them back to the very doors of the town.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the messenger said to David: The men prevailed against us, and they came out to us into the field: and we vigorously charged and pursued them even to the gate of the city.

Free Bible Version

The messenger explained to David, “The defenders were stronger than us, and they came out at us in the open, but we forced them back to the entrance of the town gate.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the messenger said vnto Dauid, Certainely the men preuailed against vs, and came out vnto vs into the field, but we pursued them vnto the entring of the gate.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.

Translation for Translators

The messenger said to David, “Our enemies were very brave, and came out of the city to fight us in the fields. They were defeating us but we forced them back to the city gate.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then the messenger said to David, “The enemy were stronger than we were at first; they came out to us into the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

The messenger said to David, “The men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field; and we were on them even to the entrance of the gate.

Young's Literal Translation

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,

Context

David Arranges Uriah’s Death

²²So the messenger set out and reported to David all that Joab had sent him to say.²³The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate.²⁴Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s servants were killed. And your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead as well.”

Summary

In this verse, Joab sends a message to David detailing the outcome of the battle against the Ammonites. He instructs the messenger to emphasize the bravery of the soldiers but also to inform David of the death of Uriah the Hittite. Joab's strategic communication aims to soften the blow of delivering the news of Uriah's death, knowing it will deeply affect David. This verse reveals the deceitful and manipulative nature of Joab's actions, as he tries to navigate the delicate situation involving David, Bathsheba, and Uriah. Ultimately, this verse sets the stage for the consequences that will unfold due to David's sin with Bathsheba and his involvement in Uriah's death.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

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.