2 Samuel 11:24

Verse

Then 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.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And the shooters shot at thy servants from off the wall; and some of the king’s servants are dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

Bible in Basic English

And the archers sent their arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king's servants are dead, and among them is your servant Uriah the Hittite.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the archers shot their arrows at thy servants from off the wall above: and some of the king’s servants are slain, and thy servant Urias the Hethite is also dead.

Free Bible Version

Their archers shot at us from the wall, and killed some of the king's men. Your officer Uriah the Hittite was also killed.”

Geneva Bible 1599

But the shooters shot from ye wall against thy seruants, and some of the Kings seruants be dead: and thy seruant Vriah the Hittite is also dead.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

Translation for Translators

Then their archers shot arrows at us from the top of the city wall. They killed some of your officers. They killed your officer Uriah, too.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then their shooters shot at your soldiers from off the wall, and some of the king's servants were killed, and your servant Uriah the Hittite was killed too.”

Noah Webster Bible

And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants: and some of the king's servants are dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

World English Bible

The shooters shot at your servants from off the wall; and some of the king’s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.”

Young's Literal Translation

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.

Context

David Arranges Uriah’s Death

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

This verse recounts the tragic event where King David orchestrates the death of Uriah the Hittite in battle to cover up his adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. David's actions reveal his abuse of power and betrayal of loyalty, leading to severe consequences for his household and kingdom. It serves as a cautionary tale of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of repentance and accountability, even for those in positions of authority. The verse highlights the consequences of David's moral failure and the far-reaching impact of his sinful choices on innocent lives.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the shooters shot from off of the wall upon thy servants,.... Arrows out of their bows, or stones out of their engines; the Israelites following them so closely to the gate of the city, came within the reach of their shot from the wall: and some of the king's servants be dead; killed in the sally upon them, and by the shot from the wall: and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also; the messenger did not entirely obey the orders of Joab to wait and observe if the king's wrath arose, but was in haste to tell him the last piece of news; perhaps he had some suspicion, from the manner of Joab's telling him what he should say, that this would be acceptable to the king.