Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.” New Living Translation “Well, tell Joab not to be discouraged,” David said. “The sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow! Fight harder next time, and conquer the city!” English Standard Version David said to the messenger, “Thus shall you say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter displease you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.” Berean Standard Bible Then David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Do not let this matter upset you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it.’ Encourage him with these words.” Berean Literal Bible And David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for as this and as this the sword devours. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.” King James Bible Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. New King James Version Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab: ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and overthrow it.’ So encourage him.” New American Standard Bible Then David said to the messenger, “This is what you shall say to Joab: ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another; fight with determination against the city and overthrow it’; and thereby encourage him.” NASB 1995 Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle against the city stronger and overthrow it’ and so encourage him.” NASB 1977 Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle against the city stronger and overthrow it’; and so encourage him.” Legacy Standard Bible Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this thing be evil in your sight, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle against the city stronger and tear it down’; and so strengthen him.” Amplified Bible Then David said to the messenger, “Tell Joab this, ‘Do not let this thing disturb you, for the sword devours one [side] as well as another. Strengthen your battle against the city and overthrow it’; and so encourage Joab.” Berean Annotated Bible Then David (beloved) told the messenger, “Say this to Joab (YHWH is father): ‘Do not let this matter upset you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it. Encourage him with these words. Christian Standard Bible David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this matter upset you because the sword devours all alike. Intensify your fight against the city and demolish it.’ Encourage him.” Holman Christian Standard Bible David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this matter upset you because the sword devours all alike. Intensify your fight against the city and demolish it.’ Encourage him.” American Standard Version Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another; make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. Contemporary English Version David replied, "Tell Joab to cheer up and not to be upset about what happened. You never know who will be killed in a war. Tell him to strengthen his attack against the city and break through its walls." English Revised Version Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. GOD'S WORD® Translation David said to the messenger, "This is what you are to say to Joab, 'Don't let this thing trouble you, because a sword can kill one person as easily as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and destroy it.' Say this to encourage him." Good News Translation David said to the messenger, "Encourage Joab and tell him not to be upset, since you never can tell who will die in battle. Tell him to launch a stronger attack on the city and capture it." International Standard Version David responded to the messenger, "Here's what you're to tell Joab: 'Don't be troubled by this incident, because the battle sword consumes one or another from time to time. Consolidate your attack against the city and conquer it.' Be sure to encourage him." NET Bible David said to the messenger, "Tell Joab, 'Don't let this thing upset you. There is no way to anticipate whom the sword will cut down. Press the battle against the city and conquer it.' Encourage him with these words." New Heart English Bible Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall tell Joab, ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle stronger against the city, and overthrow it.' And encourage him." Webster's Bible Translation Then David said to the messenger, Thus shalt thou say to Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Do not let this matter upset you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it.’ Encourage him with these words.” World English Bible Then David said to the messenger, “Tell Joab, ‘Don’t let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle stronger against the city, and overthrow it.’ Encourage him.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David says to the messenger, “Thus you say to Joab, Do not let this thing be evil in your eyes; for thus and thus the sword devours; strengthen your warfare against the city, and throw it down; so you strengthen him.” Berean Literal Bible And David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for as this and as this the sword devours. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.” Young's Literal Translation And David saith unto the messenger, 'Thus dost thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing be evil in thine eyes; for thus and thus doth the sword devour; strengthen thy warfare against the city, and throw it down -- and strengthen thou him.' Smith's Literal Translation And David will say to the messenger, Thus shalt thou say to Joab, This same word shall not be evil in thine eyes, as this, and as this, the sword shall consume: strengthen thy battle against the city and pull it down: and strengthen yourselves. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David said to the messenger: Thus shalt thou say to Joab: Let not this thing discourage thee: for various is the event of war: and sometimes one, sometimes another is consumed by the sword: encourage thy warriors against The city, and exhort them that thou mayest overthrow it. Catholic Public Domain Version And David said to the messenger: “You shall say these things to Joab: ‘Do not let this matter dishearten you. For varied are the events of war. Now this one, and now that one, is consumed by the sword. Encourage your warriors against the city and exhort them, so that you may destroy it.’ ” New American Bible David said to the messenger: “This is what you shall say to Joab: ‘Do not let this be a great evil in your sight, for the sword devours now here and now there. Strengthen your attack on the city and destroy it.’ Encourage him.” New Revised Standard Version David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter trouble you, for the sword devours now one and now another; press your attack on the city, and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen David said to the messenger, Thus shall you say to Joab, Let not this thing displease you, for things happen this way or that way in the battle; make the battle more vigorous against the city, and take it and destroy it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David said to the Messenger: “Say to Yuab, “Do not let it be evil in your eyes concerning this or that, just so it happens in battle. Strengthen the battle against the city and take it and overthrow it!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then David said unto the messenger: 'Thus shalt thou say unto Joab: Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth in one manner or another; make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it; and encourage thou him.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And David said to the messenger, Thus shalt thou say to Joab, Let not the matter be grievous in thine eyes, for the sword devours one way at one time and another way at another: strengthen thine array against the city, and destroy it, and strengthen him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Arranges Uriah's Death…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.” 25Then David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Do not let this matter upset you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it.’ Encourage him with these words.” Cross References Then David told the messenger, 2 Samuel 18:31-32 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!” / The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to harm you be like that young man.” 2 Samuel 1:14-16 So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’” 2 Samuel 4:10-12 when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news! / How much more, when wicked men kill a righteous man in his own house and on his own bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hands and remove you from the earth!” / So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron. “Say this to Joab:” 1 Chronicles 21:2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.” 2 Samuel 24:2 So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.” 1 Chronicles 21:4 Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem. “‘Do not let this matter upset you, Genesis 45:5 And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. 1 Samuel 25:31 then my lord will have no remorse or guilt of conscience over needless bloodshed and revenge. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, may you remember your servant.” 1 Samuel 17:32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him!” for the sword devours one as well as another. 2 Samuel 2:26 Then Abner called out to Joab: “Must the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers?” Deuteronomy 32:42 I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh—the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.” Jeremiah 46:10 For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates. Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it.’ 2 Kings 3:19 And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.” Joshua 6:20-21 So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it. / With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys. 2 Kings 3:25 They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well. Encourage him with these words.” Deuteronomy 3:28 But commission Joshua, encourage him, and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit the land that you will see.” Treasury of Scripture Then David said to the messenger, Thus shall you say to Joab, Let not this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another: make your battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage you him. Joshua 7:8,9 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! … 1 Samuel 6:9 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us. Ecclesiastes 9:1-3,11,12 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them… one [heb] so and such make 2 Samuel 12:26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. Jump to Previous Battle City David Devoureth Devours Displease Encourage Joab Manner Messenger Overthrow Strong SwordJump to Next Battle City David Devoureth Devours Displease Encourage Joab Manner Messenger Overthrow Strong Sword2 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 Then David told the messenger David, as king, had the authority to send messages and commands through messengers. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society, where communication often occurred through intermediaries. The use of a messenger also indicates the distance between David and Joab, who was on the battlefield. Say this to Joab Do not let this matter upset you for the sword devours one as well as another Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it Encourage him with these words Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who orchestrates the death of Uriah to cover up his sin with Bathsheba. 2. Joab The commander of David's army, who is instructed by David to place Uriah in harm's way. 3. Uriah the Hittite A loyal soldier in David's army and the husband of Bathsheba, who is killed in battle due to David's orders. 4. Bathsheba The wife of Uriah, with whom David commits adultery. 5. The Battle The military conflict where Uriah is deliberately placed in a dangerous position to ensure his death. Teaching Points The Deceptive Nature of SinSin often leads to further sin. David's initial sin of adultery led to deceit and murder. We must be vigilant against the slippery slope of sin. The Responsibility of Leadership As a leader, David's actions had far-reaching consequences. Leaders are called to a higher standard and must act with integrity and righteousness. The Illusion of Control David attempted to control the situation through manipulation, but ultimately, God is sovereign, and human attempts to control outcomes can lead to greater chaos. The Need for Repentance Despite his sin, David's later repentance (as seen in Psalm 51) shows the importance of turning back to God and seeking His forgiveness. Encouragement in Adversity David's message to Joab to "encourage him" highlights the need for support and encouragement, even in difficult and morally complex situations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 11:25?2. How does 2 Samuel 11:25 reveal David's attitude towards Uriah's death? 3. What does David's response in 2 Samuel 11:25 teach about leadership accountability? 4. How can we avoid rationalizing sin like David in 2 Samuel 11:25? 5. What scriptural connections highlight the consequences of David's actions in 2 Samuel 11? 6. How can we apply lessons from 2 Samuel 11:25 to our daily decisions? 7. How does 2 Samuel 11:25 reflect on David's character and leadership? 8. What does 2 Samuel 11:25 reveal about God's justice and mercy? 9. How does 2 Samuel 11:25 challenge our understanding of sin and accountability? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 11? 11. Why does King David, described elsewhere as righteous (1 Kings 15:5), resort to deceit and murder in 2 Samuel 11:14-17? 12. If God is just, why is David not immediately punished for his actions in 2 Samuel 11:26-27? 13. How do we reconcile the role of Joab in 1 Chronicles 11:6 with other biblical narratives that present different leadership structures and timelines? 14. Who was Amasa in the Bible? What Does 2 Samuel 11:25 Mean Then David told the messenger• David has just received news of Uriah’s death in battle (2 Samuel 11:22–24). • Instead of grieving, he immediately manages the narrative, showing how sin often drives a person to control appearances (compare Proverbs 28:13; John 3:20). • The messenger becomes a tool in David’s attempt to cover wrongdoing—an early sign that secrecy, not repentance, is guiding his heart (Psalm 32:3–4). Say this to Joab • Joab is not merely a general; he is an accomplice who knowingly placed Uriah on the deadly front line (2 Samuel 11:14–16). • David’s directive reinforces their conspiracy of silence; both men now share responsibility (James 1:15). • It also shows how leadership can misuse authority, reminding us that true leadership serves righteousness (2 Samuel 23:3). Do not let this matter upset you • “This matter” is the calculated killing of a loyal soldier (2 Samuel 11:17). • David downplays sin, counseling Joab to suppress any pangs of conscience—an echo of Isaiah 5:20, where evil is called good to dull conviction. • Such minimization warns us how sin desensitizes the heart (Ephesians 4:18–19). For the sword devours one as well as another • David offers a fatalistic cliché: casualties are just part of war. • While warfare is indeed perilous (1 Samuel 14:6; Ecclesiastes 9:11), David twists that truth to excuse planned murder (compare Genesis 4:9). • Scripture never permits shrugging off personal guilt under the guise of inevitability (Romans 14:12). Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it • David re-focuses Joab on military success—“win the war and no one will question the tactics.” • The city is Rabbah of Ammon (2 Samuel 11:1; 12:26). Victory will provide David with a political trophy to distract from moral failure (Proverbs 21:30). • This shift from righteousness to results warns that success without integrity displeases God (Micah 6:8). Encourage him with these words • David’s final instruction is emotional management: keep Joab loyal and motivated. • Contrast earlier moments when Joab encouraged David for godly ends (2 Samuel 10:11–12). Now the encouragement props up sin, illustrating how companionship can either sharpen or corrode (Proverbs 27:17; 1 Corinthians 15:33). • The lack of genuine repentance here sets the stage for Nathan’s confrontation in the next chapter (2 Samuel 12:1–7). summary 2 Samuel 11:25 records David coaching a messenger to soothe Joab’s conscience, trivialize Uriah’s death, and press on toward military victory. Each phrase exposes a heart bent on concealment: reshaping the story, minimizing guilt, cloaking murder in wartime inevitability, and inspiring Joab to continue the siege. The verse warns how sin distorts leadership, dulls moral sensitivity, and values success over righteousness—lessons underscored when God later sends Nathan to bring David to repentance. (25) One as well as another.--While David's reply to Joab is ostensibly to encourage him, on the ground that the mishap was a mere accident of war, it is yet couched in such language as to imply a special regret for the loss of Uriah. "One as well as another," i.e., "though Uriah was a brave hero whom we could ill spare, yet in the fortune of war we cannot choose who shall fall. Notwithstanding this loss, let Joab go on with a good heart."Verse 25. - Let not this thing displease thee. David professes to be satisfied with Joab's apology, and bids him, if the war is in the main going on prosperously, not to be too much distressed at a temporary reverse. As for Uriah's death, of course it is to be regretted, but such is the fortune of war, and the sword devours now one and now another. The last words, encourage thou him, have provoked comment, as though the messenger was to aid and abet Joab. They simply mean "Give him a message of encouragement from me," the exact form of which is left to the messenger, but of which his report would be that the king wished Joab to take courage.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Davidדָּוִ֜ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse told וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say the messenger, הַמַּלְאָ֗ךְ (ham·mal·’āḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel “Say תֹאמַ֤ר (ṯō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say this כֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Joab: יוֹאָב֙ (yō·w·’āḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites ‘Do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not let this הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that matter הַדָּבָ֣ר (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause upset יֵרַ֤ע (yê·ra‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad you, בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the sword הֶחָ֑רֶב (he·ḥā·reḇ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword devours תֹּאכַ֣ל (tō·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 398: To eat one וְכָזֶ֖ה (wə·ḵā·zeh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that as well as another. כָזֹ֥ה (ḵā·zōh) Preposition-k | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2090: This, that Strengthen הַחֲזֵ֨ק (ha·ḥă·zêq) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer your attack מִלְחַמְתְּךָ֧ (mil·ḥam·tə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war against אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the city הָעִ֛יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement and demolish it.’ וְהָרְסָ֖הּ (wə·hā·rə·sāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 2040: To pull down, in pieces, break, & destroy Encourage him [with these words].” וְחַזְּקֵֽהוּ׃ (wə·ḥaz·zə·qê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer Links 2 Samuel 11:25 NIV2 Samuel 11:25 NLT 2 Samuel 11:25 ESV 2 Samuel 11:25 NASB 2 Samuel 11:25 KJV 2 Samuel 11:25 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 11:25 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 11:25 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 11:25 French Bible 2 Samuel 11:25 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 11:25 Then David said to the messenger Thus (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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