2 Samuel 12:27
New International Version
Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply.

New Living Translation
Joab sent messengers to tell David, “I have fought against Rabbah and captured its water supply.

English Standard Version
And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city.

King James Bible
And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.

New King James Version
And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city’s water supply.

New American Standard Bible
Then Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters.

NASB 1995
Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters.

NASB 1977
And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters.

Amplified Bible
Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; I have even taken the city of waters.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have also captured its water supply.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have also captured the water supply.

American Standard Version
And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah; yea, I have taken the city of waters.

Contemporary English Version
and sent a messenger to tell David: I have attacked Rabbah and captured the fortress guarding the city water supply.

English Revised Version
And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, yea, I have taken the city of waters.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So he sent messengers to tell David, "I fought against Rabbah and captured the fortress guarding its water supply.

Good News Translation
He sent messengers to David to report: "I have attacked Rabbah and have captured its water supply.

International Standard Version
Then Joab sent messengers to David to tell him, "I just attacked Rabbah and captured its municipal water supply,

Majority Standard Bible
Then Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city.

NET Bible
Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, "I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city.

New Heart English Bible
Joab sent messengers to David, and said, "I have fought against Rabbah, and have also taken the water supply of the city.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.

World English Bible
Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah. Yes, I have taken the city of waters.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Joab sends messengers to David and says, “I have fought against Rabbah—I have also captured the city of waters;

Young's Literal Translation
and Joab sendeth messengers unto David, and saith, 'I have fought against Rabbah -- also I have captured the city of waters;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joab will send messengers to David, and say, I fought against Rabbah, also I took the city of waters.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Joab sent messengers to David, saying: I have fought against Rabbath, and the city of waters is about to be taken.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Joab sent messengers to David, saying: “I have struggled against Rabbah, and so the City of Waters will soon be seized.

New American Bible
He sent messengers to David to say: “I have fought against Rabbah and have taken the water-city.

New Revised Standard Version
Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the water city.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Joab sent messengers to David and said, I have fought against Rabbath and I have also taken the royal city.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yuab sent Messengers to David and he said: “I have fought with Rabbath and also I have seized the city of the kingdom
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Joab sent messengers to David, and said: 'I have fought against Rabbah, yea, I have taken the city of waters.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbath, and taken the city of waters.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Capture of Rabbah
26Meanwhile, Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal fortress. 27Then Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city. 28Now, therefore, assemble the rest of the troops, lay siege to the city, and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city, and it will be named after me.”…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 20:1-2
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. / Then David took the crown from the head of their king. It was found to weigh a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city.

2 Samuel 11:1
In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab and his servants with the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 5:6-9
Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.” / Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). / On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.” ...

1 Kings 11:15-16
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.

1 Chronicles 11:4-6
Then David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus), where the Jebusites inhabited the land. / The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). / Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.

2 Samuel 8:1-2
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Samuel 10:7-14
On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. / The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. / When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. ...

2 Samuel 17:13
If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”

2 Samuel 21:15-17
Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”

2 Samuel 23:14-16
At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem. / David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” / So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,

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 18:1-2
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

1 Chronicles 19:10-15
When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. / “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. ...

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.’


Treasury of Scripture

And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.

Rabbah

2 Samuel 11:1
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

Deuteronomy 3:11
For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

Ezekiel 21:20
Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.

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Captured City David Fought Joab Jo'ab Messengers Moreover Rabbah Supply War Water Waters
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Captured City David Fought Joab Jo'ab Messengers Moreover Rabbah Supply War Water Waters
2 Samuel 12
1. Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.
7. David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned
15. David mourns and prays for the child while it lives
24. Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah
26. David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof














Then Joab sent messengers
Joab, the commander of David's army, is a pivotal figure in the narrative of 2 Samuel. His actions often reflect both loyalty and ambition. The sending of messengers indicates a formal communication, a common practice in ancient times to convey important news. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate action, emphasizing Joab's authority and the significance of the message. This act of sending messengers underscores the structured military hierarchy and the importance of relaying strategic information.

to David
David, the king of Israel, is the central figure in this narrative. His leadership and decisions are crucial to the unfolding events. The mention of David here highlights his role as the ultimate authority and decision-maker. Historically, kings were often removed from the battlefield, relying on trusted commanders like Joab to execute military campaigns. This separation underscores the king's role in governance and strategic oversight rather than direct combat.

to say
The phrase "to say" introduces the content of the message, indicating that what follows is of great importance. In the Hebrew text, the verb "to say" (אָמַר, amar) is frequently used to introduce direct speech, emphasizing the weight and intention behind the words. This sets the stage for the critical information that Joab is about to convey, highlighting the urgency and significance of the message.

I have fought against Rabbah
Rabbah was the capital city of the Ammonites, a significant enemy of Israel. The phrase indicates a military engagement, with Joab leading the assault. The historical context reveals that Rabbah was a fortified city, making its capture a strategic victory. The Hebrew word for "fought" (נִלְחַם, nilcham) conveys the intensity and effort involved in the battle, reflecting the ongoing conflict between Israel and its neighbors.

and have captured the water supply
The capture of the water supply was a strategic move, as water was a critical resource for any city, especially during a siege. In ancient warfare, controlling water sources often determined the outcome of a siege. The Hebrew term for "captured" (לָכַד, lakad) implies a successful conquest, highlighting Joab's tactical acumen. This action not only weakened Rabbah's defenses but also demonstrated Joab's understanding of warfare's logistical aspects. The capture of the water supply symbolizes a turning point in the siege, foreshadowing the eventual fall of the city.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Joab
יוֹאָ֛ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

messengers
מַלְאָכִ֖ים (mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

David
דָּוִ֑ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

to say,
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I have fought
נִלְחַ֣מְתִּי (nil·ḥam·tî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against Rabbah
בְרַבָּ֔ה (ḇə·rab·bāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7237: Rabbah -- two places in Israel

and have also
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

captured
לָכַ֖דְתִּי (lā·ḵaḏ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere

the water supply.
הַמָּֽיִם׃ (ham·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen


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OT History: 2 Samuel 12:27 Joab sent messengers to David and said (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 12:26
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