Keraia
2 Samuel 11

2 Samuel 11:21

David Arranges Uriah’s Death · 2 Samuel 11:14–25
Read 2 Samuel 11

Translations

Modern
Who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who dropped an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then you are to say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead as well.’”
Traditional
Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
Literal
Who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who cast on him a piece of a millstone from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you go near the wall?’ Then you shall say, ‘Also your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’”
Latin
Quis percussit Abimelech filium Jerobaal? nonne mulier misit super eum fragmen molæ de muro, et interfecit eum in Thebes? quare juxta murum accessistis? dices: Etiam servus tuus Urias Hethæus occubuit.

Original

Hebrew
English
Who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who dropped an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then you are to say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead as well.’”

Notes

2 Samuel 11:21

Was it not a woman who dropped an upper millstone on him: Compare Judges 9:54.

2 Samuel 11:1–27

David’s affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah show that David was capable of serious moral failure. These actions deeply damaged David’s life and leadership.

These failures took place during a period when David was enjoying major military success against the Ammonites (2 Samuel 10:1–11:1; 12:26–31).

Events

People

Abimelech: Son of Gideon, self-proclaimed king of Shechem Gideon: Judge of Israel; defeated Midianites; tested and reassured by God Heth: Son of Canaan and ancestor of the Hittites Uriah: Hittite soldier; husband of Bathsheba

Places

Thebez: Canaanite city where Abimelech was killed

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Bathsheba David Gideon Hittites Jerubbesheth Jerusalem Joab Kings, Books of First and Second Meribbaal Mill Nathan Psalms, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second Uriah Warfare

Topics

Abimelech: Son of Gideon David: King of Israel: Wickedly Causes the Death of Uriah Hittites: Remarkable Persons of Uriah Joab: Son of David's Sister: Captures Rabbah Lasciviousness: David Mills: Stones Used in Often Thrown Down on Enemies During Sieges Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Thebez: A City, at Which Abimelech Was Killed While Besieging Uriah: One of David's Mighty Men: David Compasses the Death of Walls of Cities: Danger of Approaching Too Near To, in Time of War