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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 11:15 In the letter he wrote: "Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/11-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/10_2Sa_11_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 11:15 - David Arranges Uriah's Death" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In the letter he wrote: Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/11-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/11-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm" title="2 Samuel 11:14">◄</a> 2 Samuel 11:15 <a href="/2_samuel/11-16.htm" title="2 Samuel 11:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />In it he wrote, &#8220Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The letter instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He had written in the letter the following: “Station Uriah on the front line of the fiercest battle and pull back from him, so that he may be struck and killed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He had written in the letter, saying, &#8220Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he had written in the letter, saying, “Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he had written in the letter, saying, “Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He wrote in the letter, “Put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest fighting and leave him, so that he may be struck down and die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the letter he wrote: Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest fighting, then withdraw from him so that he is struck down and dies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the letter he wrote: Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest fighting, then withdraw from him so that he is struck down and dies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The letter said: "Put Uriah on the front line where the fighting is the worst. Then pull the troops back from him, so that he will be wounded and die." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In the letter he wrote, "Put Uriah on the front line where the fighting is heaviest. Then abandon him so that he'll be struck down and die."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He wrote: "Put Uriah in the front line, where the fighting is heaviest, then retreat and let him be killed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In the message, he wrote: "Assign Uriah to the most difficult fighting at the battle front, and then withdraw from him so that he will be struck down and killed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the letter he wrote: ?Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In the letter he wrote: "Station Uriah in the thick of the battle and then withdraw from him so he will be cut down and killed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He wrote in the letter, saying, "Send Uriah to the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck, and die."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the front of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He wrote in the letter, saying, “Send Uriah to the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck and die.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he writes in the letter, saying, “Place Uriah in front of the face of the most severe battle, and you have turned back from after him, and he has been struck, and has died.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he writeth in the letter, saying, 'Place ye Uriah over-against the front of the severest battle, and ye have turned back from after him, and he hath been smitten, and hath died.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will write in the letter: saying, Bring in Uriah to the front of the face of the strong battle, and turn ye back from after him, and he shall be smitten and die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Writing in the letter: Set ye Urias in the front of the battle, where the fight is strongest: and leave ye him, that he may be wounded and die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />writing in the letter: “Place Uriah opposite the warfare, where the battle is the strongest, and then abandon him, so that, having been wounded, he may die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />This is what he wrote in the letter: “Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he wrote in the letter, Set Uriah in the forefront of the battle, and then retire from him that he may be smitten and die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he wrote to him: “Put Uriah at the front of the army of the battle, and turn yourselves from behind him that he will be wounded and he will die”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he wrote in the letter, saying: 'Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he wrote in the letter, saying, Station Urias in front of the severe <i>part</i> of the fight, and retreat from behind him, so shall he be wounded and die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/11-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=2701" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/11.htm">David Arranges Uriah's Death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14</span>The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5612.htm" title="5612: bas·sê·p̄er (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A missive, document, writing, book. Or ciphrah; from caphar; properly, writing; by implication, a book.">In the letter</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3789.htm" title="3789: way·yiḵ·tōḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write.">he wrote:</a> <a href="/hebrew/3051.htm" title="3051: hā·ḇū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To give. A primitive root; to give; generally, to put; imperatively come.">“Put</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/223.htm" title="223: ’ū·rî·yāh (N-proper-ms) -- Or Uwriyahuw; from 'uwr and Yahh; flame of Jah; Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites.">Uriah</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">at</a> <a href="/hebrew/4136.htm" title="4136: mūl (Prep) -- Or mowl; or mowtl; or mul; from muwl; properly, abrupt, i.e. A precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially opposite.">the front</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2389.htm" title="2389: ha·ḥă·zā·qāh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Strong, stout, mighty. From chazaq; strong.">of the fiercest</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: ham·mil·ḥā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">battle;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·šaḇ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">then withdraw</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: mê·’a·ḥă·rāw (Prep-m:: 3ms) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">from him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: wə·nik·kāh (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">so that he may be struck down</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: wā·mêṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">and killed.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he saw the strongest enemy soldiers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9</a></span><br />Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/15-5.htm">1 Kings 15:5</a></span><br />For 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-14.htm">Psalm 51:14</a></span><br />Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-10.htm">2 Samuel 12:10</a></span><br />Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-14.htm">2 Samuel 12:14</a></span><br />Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-19.htm">1 Kings 21:19</a></span><br />Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-25.htm">1 Kings 21:25</a></span><br />(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-17.htm">Jeremiah 22:17</a></span><br />“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-16.htm">Micah 6:16</a></span><br />You have kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a></span><br />But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-12.htm">Romans 6:12-13</a></span><br />Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. / Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-1.htm">James 4:1-2</a></span><br />What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set you Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire you from him, that he may be smitten, and die.</p><p class="hdg">Set ye</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/11-17.htm">2 Samuel 11:17</a></b></br> And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell <i>some</i> of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-17.htm">1 Samuel 18:17,21,25</a></b></br> And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4,14</a></b></br> Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done <i>this</i> evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, <i>and</i> be clear when thou judgest… </p><p class="hdg">hottest [heb] strong </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9</a></b></br> Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife <i>to be</i> thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/11-1.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">Care</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-1.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-33.htm">Die</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-18.htm">Died</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-14.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-5.htm">Forefront</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-9.htm">Front</a> <a href="/exodus/1-14.htm">Hardest</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-23.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-15.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/numbers/8-25.htm">Retire</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-19.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-18.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/2_samuel/9-8.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">Uriah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">Uri'ah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">Urijah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-10.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-15.htm">Withdraw</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">Writeth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-18.htm">Written</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/11-18.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-8.htm">Care</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-22.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-5.htm">Die</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-17.htm">Died</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-13.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-18.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-14.htm">Forefront</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-3.htm">Front</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-9.htm">Hardest</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-5.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-13.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">Retire</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-21.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-10.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-16.htm">Uriah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-16.htm">Uri'ah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-16.htm">Urijah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-3.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-13.htm">Withdraw</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-8.htm">Writeth</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-3.htm">Written</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-8.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/11-1.htm">While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bathsheba</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/11-6.htm">Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, would not go home.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm">He carries to Joab the letter of his death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/11-18.htm">Joab sends the news thereof to David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/11-26.htm">David takes Bathsheba as his wife</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>In the letter he wrote:</b><br>This phrase refers to King David's written instructions to Joab, the commander of his army. The use of a letter indicates the formal and deliberate nature of David's plan. In ancient times, letters were a common means of communication for kings and military leaders, often sealed to ensure confidentiality. This letter is a pivotal moment in the narrative, showcasing David's attempt to cover up his sin with Bathsheba by orchestrating Uriah's death.<p><b>Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle;</b><br>David's command to place Uriah at the front lines highlights the king's misuse of power. The front lines were the most dangerous position in battle, often resulting in high casualties. Uriah, a Hittite, was one of David's mighty men, a group of elite warriors (<a href="/2_samuel/23-39.htm">2 Samuel 23:39</a>). This act of betrayal against a loyal soldier underscores the gravity of David's sin. The phrase also reflects the harsh realities of ancient warfare, where strategic positioning often determined the outcome of battles.<p><b>then withdraw from him,</b><br>This part of the command reveals David's intention to isolate Uriah, ensuring his death. The tactic of withdrawing troops to leave a soldier exposed was a calculated move, demonstrating David's desperation to conceal his adultery. This act of treachery contrasts sharply with the biblical ideal of loyalty and protection among comrades, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Proverbs 17:17</a>, which speaks of a friend who loves at all times.<p><b>so that he may be struck down and killed.”</b><br>David's ultimate goal was Uriah's death, making this a premeditated act of murder. This phrase highlights the moral decline of David, a man after God's own heart (<a href="/1_samuel/13-14.htm">1 Samuel 13:14</a>), who succumbed to sin. Theologically, this event foreshadows the need for a savior, as even the greatest of Israel's kings was flawed. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin, as David's actions led to personal and national turmoil, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy of calamity within David's house (<a href="/2_samuel/12-10.htm">2 Samuel 12:10-12</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The King of Israel who orchestrates the plan to have Uriah killed to cover up his own sin with Bathsheba.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/u/uriah_the_hittite.htm">Uriah the Hittite</a></b><br>A loyal soldier in David's army and the husband of Bathsheba, whom David seeks to eliminate.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/joab.htm">Joab</a></b><br>The commander of David's army, who receives and executes David's orders regarding Uriah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/bathsheba.htm">Bathsheba</a></b><br>The wife of Uriah, with whom David commits adultery, leading to the events of this chapter.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_battle.htm">The Battle</a></b><br>The unspecified location where Uriah is placed in the most dangerous position to ensure his death.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Sin often leads to further sin. David's initial sin of adultery leads to deceit and murder.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_abuse_of_power.htm">The Abuse of Power</a></b><br>David's actions demonstrate how power can be misused to harm others and cover up wrongdoing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_accountability.htm">The Importance of Accountability</a></b><br>David's lack of accountability leads to grave consequences. We need others to hold us accountable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_forgiveness.htm">Repentance and Forgiveness</a></b><br>Despite his grave sins, David's later repentance shows that forgiveness is possible, but consequences remain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a></b><br>Sin begins in the heart. We must guard our hearts and minds against temptation and sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_david_want_married_bathsheba.htm">Why did David desire Bathsheba despite her being married?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_david's_quick_forgiveness_realistic.htm">In 2 Samuel 12:13, David’s quick confession leads to forgiveness, but is the swift absolution realistic given the gravity of adultery and murder? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_king_david_deceive_and_kill.htm">Why does King David, described elsewhere as righteous (1 Kings 15:5), resort to deceit and murder in 2 Samuel 11:14-17?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_david_passive_about_amnon's_crime.htm">Why does David seem to do nothing about Amnon's crime in 2 Samuel 13:21?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Retire ye from him.</span>--This part of David's orders was not carried out. Perhaps Joab thought it would make the stratagem too evident, or perhaps it was impracticable. At all events, the consequence was that others were slain with Uriah, and thus a larger blood-guiltiness fell upon David.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/11-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">In the letter</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּסֵּ֖פֶר</span> <span class="translit">(bas·sê·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5612.htm">Strong's 5612: </a> </span><span class="str2">A missive, document, writing, book</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he wrote:</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּכְתֹּ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḵ·tōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Put</span><br /><span class="heb">הָב֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3051.htm">Strong's 3051: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, to put, imperatively, come</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Uriah</span><br /><span class="heb">אֽוּרִיָּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ū·rî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_223.htm">Strong's 223: </a> </span><span class="str2">Uriah -- 'flame of Yah', the name of a Hittite and of two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the front</span><br /><span class="heb">מוּל֙</span> <span class="translit">(mūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4136.htm">Strong's 4136: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abrupt, a precipice, the front, opposite</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the fiercest</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽחֲזָקָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥă·zā·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2389.htm">Strong's 2389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strong, stout, mighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">battle;</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּלְחָמָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then withdraw</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשַׁבְתֶּ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šaḇ·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from him,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאַחֲרָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·ḥă·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that he may be struck down</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִכָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nik·kāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and die.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וָמֵֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(wā·mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/11-15.htm">2 Samuel 11:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/11-15.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 11:15 He wrote in the letter saying Set (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/11-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 11:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 11:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/11-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 11:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 11:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>