2 samuel 11:20 - it shall be that, if the king’s wrath arise, and he asks you, ‘Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn’t you know that they would shoot from the wall?

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 11:20

What does "2 samuel 11:20" mean?


This verse is part of a message strategy devised by Joab, David's general, after Uriah the Hittite was killed in battle. To understand it, we need context:

The Situation: David, the king of Israel, had committed adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife. To cover up his sin, David ordered Joab to place Uriah in a vulnerable position in battle, knowing he would likely be killed. This worked; Uriah died.

Joab's Plan: Joab knows that David will likely be angry when he hears of the loss of life during the battle, especially if high-ranking officers were killed. He anticipates that David might question why the soldiers went so close to the city walls, where they would be vulnerable to archers. To prepare for this, Joab instructs his messenger on how to deliver the news and how to frame Uriah's death.

Explanation of the Verse:

"it shall be that, if the king’s wrath arise..." This anticipates David's anger and potential suspicion regarding the battle strategy.
"and he asks you, ‘Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn’t you know that they would shoot from the wall?'" This is the specific question Joab expects David to ask. It's a reasonable question because attacking too close to fortified walls would be considered poor military tactics and result in unnecessary casualties.
Joab is essentially giving the messenger a pre-emptive defense. He is predicting David's likely line of questioning and equipping the messenger to have an answer ready.

In essence, this verse highlights:

Joab's strategic thinking: He understands David's likely reactions and plans accordingly.
The precariousness of the situation: Joab knows the battle outcome will be questioned, hinting at the suspicion surrounding Uriah's death.
The underlying guilt and manipulation: The entire scenario is based on David's sin and the lengths to which he is willing to go to conceal it. Joab is complicit in this, and his actions reflect the moral decay within David's court.

The verse isn't just about military tactics; it's a window into a web of deception, murder, and moral compromise.

What categories does "2 samuel 11:20" have?