Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t a woman drop 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 say to him, ‘Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’” New Living Translation Wasn’t Abimelech son of Gideon killed at Thebez by a woman who threw a millstone down on him from the wall? Why would you get so close to the wall?’ Then tell him, ‘Uriah the Hittite was killed, too.’” English Standard Version Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’” Berean Standard Bible 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.’” King James Bible 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. New King James Version Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you go near the wall?’—then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’ ” New American Standard Bible Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did a woman not throw an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you move against the wall?’—then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite also died.’” NASB 1995 ‘Who struck down Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’— then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’” NASB 1977 ‘Who struck down Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’—then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’” Legacy Standard Bible Who struck down Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall so he died at Thebez? Why did you approach the wall?’—then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’” Amplified Bible Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth (Gideon)? Was it not a woman who threw an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ Then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.’” Christian Standard Bible At Thebez, who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the top of the wall so that he died? Why did you get so close to the wall? ’—then say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hethite is dead also.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible At Thebez, who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the top of the wall so that he died? Why did you get so close to the wall?’—then say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’” American Standard Version who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast an upper millstone upon him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? why went ye so nigh the wall? then shalt thou say, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. Contemporary English Version Don't you know how Abimelech the son of Gideon was killed at Thebez? Didn't a woman kill him by dropping a large rock from the top of the city wall? Why did you go so close to the city walls?" Then tell him, "One of your soldiers who was killed was Uriah the Hittite." English Revised Version who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast an upper millstone upon him from the wall, that he died at Thebez? why went ye so nigh the wall? then shalt thou say, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. GOD'S WORD® Translation Who killed Jerubbesheth's son Abimelech? Didn't a woman on the wall of Thebez throw a small millstone at him and kill him? Why did you go so close to the wall?' If the king asks this, then say, 'Your man Uriah the Hittite is also dead.' " Good News Translation Don't you remember how Abimelech son of Gideon was killed? It was at Thebez, where a woman threw a millstone down from the wall and killed him. Why, then, did you go so near the wall?' If the king asks you this, tell him, 'Your officer Uriah was also killed.'" International Standard Version Who killed Jerubbesheth's son Abimelech? Didn't a woman kill him by throwing an upper millstone on him from the wall at Thebez? Why did you go so close to the wall?' then tell him, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite also died.'" NET Bible Who struck down Abimelech the son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn't a woman throw an upper millstone down on him from the wall so that he died in Thebez? Why did you go so close to the wall?' just say to him, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.'" New Heart English Bible then you are to say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hethite is dead also.’" Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWho 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.’” World English Bible Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWho struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Did a woman not cast a piece of a rider from the wall on him, and he dies in Thebez? Why did you draw near to the wall? That you have said, Also—your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.” Young's Literal Translation Who smote Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast on him a piece of a rider from the wall, and he dieth in Thebez? why drew ye nigh unto the wall? that thou hast said, Also thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.' Smith's Literal Translation Who struck Abimelech, son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast upon him a piece of the upper millstone from above the wall, and he will die in Thebez? Wherefore drew ye near to the wall? And say thou, Also thy servant, Uriah the Hittite died. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho killed Abimelech the son of Jerobaal? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, and slew him in Thebes? Why did you go near the wall? Thou shalt say: Thy servant Urias the Hethite is also slain. Catholic Public Domain Version Who struck down Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal? Did not a woman throw a fragment of a millstone upon him from the wall, and so kill him at Thebez? Why did you approach beside the wall?’ then you shall say: ‘Your servant Uriah, the Hittite, also lies dead.’ ” New American Bible Who killed Abimelech, son of Jerubbaal? Was it not a woman who threw a millstone down on him from the wall above, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you go near the wall?’ Then you in turn are to say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.’ ” New Revised Standard Version Who killed Abimelech son of Jerubbaal? Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWho killed Abimeleck the son of Nedo-baal? Did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died? Why did you go near the wall? Now if he should say these things to you, then you shall say to him, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Who killed Abimelek son of NeduBaal? Was it not a woman who cast on him a fragment of upper millstone of the millstone from the wall, and he died? Why did you come near to the wall?” If he says these things to you, say to him: “Also your Servant Uriah the Khitite is dead” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast an upper millstone upon him from the wall, that he died at Thebez? why went ye so nigh the wall? then shalt thou say: Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerobaal son of Ner? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from above the wall, and he died in Thamasi? why did ye draw near to the wall? then thou shalt say, Thy servant Urias the Chettite is also dead. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Arranges Uriah's Death…20if the king’s anger flares, he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Did you not realize they would shoot from atop the wall? 21Who was the one to strike 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 so, then you are to say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead as well.’” 22So the messenger set out and reported to David all that Joab had sent him to say.… Cross References Judges 9:53 But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. 2 Samuel 12:9 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. 2 Samuel 12:10 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.’ 2 Samuel 12:13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. 1 Kings 15:5 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. 1 Chronicles 20:1 In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the Ammonites. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it. Matthew 1:6 and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife, Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’ Psalm 51:1-4 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ... Psalm 51:9-10 Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. / Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 32:1-5 Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit. / When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. ... Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. James 1:14-15 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. James 4:1-2 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. Treasury of Scripture Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went you near the wall? then say you, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. Abimelech Judges 9:53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull. Jerubbesheth Judges 6:32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar. Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. Jerubbaal 2 Samuel 3:27,34 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother… Psalm 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. Isaiah 14:10 All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Jump to Previous Abimelech Cast Dead Died Hittite Millstone Nigh Piece Servant Smote Struck Thebez Upper Uriah WallJump to Next Abimelech Cast Dead Died Hittite Millstone Nigh Piece Servant Smote Struck Thebez Upper Uriah Wall2 Samuel 11 1. While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bathsheba6. Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, would not go home. 14. He carries to Joab the letter of his death 18. Joab sends the news thereof to David 26. David takes Bathsheba as his wife Who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? This phrase references an event from Judges 9:50-54, where Abimelech, a son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal or Jerubbesheth), was killed by a woman who dropped a millstone on his head. This historical context highlights the ignoble end of a leader who sought power through violence and treachery, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride and ambition. 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.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Jerubbesheth (Gideon), who was killed by a woman dropping a millstone on him in Thebez, as recounted in Judges 9:53. His death serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and ambition. 2. Jerubbesheth (Gideon) A judge of Israel, known for his military leadership and faith in God. His son Abimelech's downfall is a stark contrast to Gideon's legacy. 3. Uriah the Hittite A loyal soldier in King David's army, whose death was orchestrated by David to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife. 4. Thebez A city where Abimelech met his demise, symbolizing the unexpected consequences of reckless actions. 5. Joab The commander of David's army, who followed David's orders to ensure Uriah's death, highlighting the moral complexities of leadership and obedience. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinThe account of Uriah's death reminds us that sin often leads to further sin, creating a cycle that can have devastating consequences. The Importance of Accountability David's actions demonstrate the need for accountability in leadership. Without it, even a man after God's own heart can fall into grave sin. God's Justice and Mercy While God is just and sin has consequences, He is also merciful and offers forgiveness to those who repent, as seen in David's later life. The Dangers of Pride and Ambition Abimelech's account serves as a warning against unchecked ambition and pride, which can lead to one's downfall. The Role of Obedience Joab's obedience to David's orders, despite their moral implications, raises questions about the limits of obedience and the importance of moral discernment. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 11:21?2. How does 2 Samuel 11:21 illustrate consequences of ignoring God's commands? 3. What lessons about leadership can we learn from 2 Samuel 11:21? 4. How does 2 Samuel 11:21 connect to the theme of accountability in Scripture? 5. How can we apply the warnings in 2 Samuel 11:21 to our lives today? 6. What does 2 Samuel 11:21 teach about the importance of obedience to God? 7. Why did Joab mention Abimelech's death in 2 Samuel 11:21? 8. How does 2 Samuel 11:21 reflect on David's leadership? 9. What is the significance of the reference to Abimelech in 2 Samuel 11:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 11? 11. Can the seemingly miraculous death by millstone be reconciled with historical or scientific explanations (Judges 9:53)? 12. In 2 Samuel 21:9, how is the extended exposure of the corpses justified when Deuteronomy 21:22-23 calls for prompt burial? 13. How do we reconcile 2 Samuel 21:19 (attributing Goliath's death to Elhanan) with David's victory in 1 Samuel 17? 14. Who killed Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:49 vs. 2 Samuel 21:19) What Does 2 Samuel 11:21 Mean Who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth?• Joab tells the messenger to open with this question, pointing David back to a real, historical episode (Judges 9:50-54). • Abimelech—Gideon’s son—was an aggressive commander who died shamefully when a civilian struck him. The reminder is meant to stir David’s memory of how quickly a siege can turn deadly when warriors get too close to fortified walls. • By invoking Abimelech, Joab affirms that such events are part of Israel’s recorded history, underscoring the literal truthfulness of Scripture (Psalm 78:4). • Practical point: commanders bear responsibility for troop safety; ignoring past lessons leads to needless loss (Proverbs 26:11). Was it not a woman who dropped an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? • Joab underlines the irony: Abimelech fell to an unexpected, seemingly weak source—a woman wielding a household tool (Judges 9:53). • For David, the detail heightens the warning: siege warfare invites unpredictable dangers (Ecclesiastes 9:11). • Spiritually, it shows how God can humble the proud through the least likely means (1 Corinthians 1:27). • The comparison presses David to see that Joab’s men faced the same risk when they advanced under the walls of Rabbah (2 Samuel 11:16). Why did you get so close to the wall? • Joab anticipates David’s likely rebuke. Any seasoned king would ask why troops approached a wall after history had taught otherwise (Deuteronomy 20:19-20). • The question exposes the tactical flaw. It also reveals Joab’s calculated plan: he expects criticism but wants to deflect it quickly (Proverbs 28:13). • The moment mirrors how sin often draws us “close to the wall,” ignoring clear warnings until consequences strike (James 1:14-15). If he asks you this, then you are to say, • Joab coaches the messenger, crafting the narrative so the final line overshadows the battle report. • The messenger’s obedience highlights military hierarchy, but also shows complicity in a deceptive scheme (2 Samuel 11:19-20). • This instruction illustrates how people can manipulate facts to manage appearances (Genesis 3:12-13; John 18:28). Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead as well. • The punch line satisfies David’s secret agenda (2 Samuel 11:14-17). Uriah’s death means David can now take Bathsheba without public scandal—so he thinks (Luke 12:2-3). • Calling Uriah “your servant” sharpens the tragedy: a loyal warrior is betrayed by the very king he served (Psalm 55:12-14). • Joab’s compliance demonstrates how sin entangles others; the general becomes an accomplice in murder (Romans 1:32). • The verse ultimately exposes the hardening effect of unchecked desire: David is more concerned with optics than with righteousness (Jeremiah 17:9). summary 2 Samuel 11:21 records Joab’s scripted message to David. By recalling Abimelech’s folly, Joab anticipates the king’s criticism for letting troops get too near Rabbah’s wall. Yet the real intent is to cloak David’s engineered death of Uriah. The verse reveals how historical lessons can be twisted to justify present sin, how leadership responsibility can be sidestepped, and how concealed wrongdoing spreads corruption through every level of authority. Above all, it stands as a sober warning: God’s Word faithfully records both the failures and their consequences, urging us to heed His truth and walk uprightly. (21) Who smote Abimelech?--See Judges 9:53. Joab anticipated David's anger at his apparent rashness, and charged the messenger, when he should observe it, to mention's Uriah's death. This was not likely to awaken any suspicion in the messenger, as it would appear to him rather as an effort on Joab's part to throw the blame from himself upon Uriah as the leader of the assaulting party. The messenger appears to have told all in one breath, so that there was no opportunity for David to express displeasure. The reference to the case of Abimelech shows how familiar the Israelites were with the past history of their people.Verse 21. - Jerubbesheth; in Judges 6:32 called Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon. (On the substitution of Besheth, or more correctly Bosheth, for Baal, see notes on 2 Samuel 2:8; 9:6.) It is remarkable that the LXX., Vulgate, and Syriac all read here Jerubbaal, though, like the Hebrew, they have Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth. Probably the change, which was not made until after the days of Jezebel, was only gradually carried out by the scribes.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Who [was the one]מִֽי־ (mî-) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix to strike הִכָּ֞ה (hik·kāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike Abimelech אֲבִימֶ֣לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Jerubbesheth? יְרֻבֶּ֗שֶׁת (yə·rub·be·šeṯ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3380: Jerubbesheth -- 'shame will contend', a name of Gideon Was it not הֲלֽוֹא־ (hă·lō·w-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no a woman אִשָּׁ֡ה (’iš·šāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female who dropped הִשְׁלִ֣יכָה (hiš·lî·ḵāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away an upper millstone פֶּ֨לַח (pe·laḥ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6400: Cleavage, a millstone on him עָלָיו֩ (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against from מֵעַ֤ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the wall, הַֽחוֹמָה֙ (ha·ḥō·w·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2346: A wall of protection so that he died וַיָּ֣מָת (way·yā·māṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill in Thebez? בְּתֵבֵ֔ץ (bə·ṯê·ḇêṣ) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8405: Thebez -- a city near Shechem Why לָ֥מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what did you get so close נִגַּשְׁתֶּ֖ם (nig·gaš·tem) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the wall?’ הַֽחוֹמָ֑ה (ha·ḥō·w·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2346: A wall of protection If so, then you are to say, וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Your servant עַבְדְּךָ֛ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant Uriah אוּרִיָּ֥ה (’ū·rî·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 223: Uriah -- 'flame of Yah', the name of a Hittite and of two Israelites the Hittite הַחִתִּ֖י (ha·ḥit·tî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2850: Hittite -- a Chittite is dead מֵֽת׃ (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill as well.’” גַּ֗ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and Links 2 Samuel 11:21 NIV2 Samuel 11:21 NLT 2 Samuel 11:21 ESV 2 Samuel 11:21 NASB 2 Samuel 11:21 KJV 2 Samuel 11:21 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 11:21 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 11:21 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 11:21 French Bible 2 Samuel 11:21 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 11:21 Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? 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