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Read the Bible

King James Version

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Adultery;   Ammonites;   Armies;   Joab;   Rabbah;   Siege;   Thompson Chain Reference - David;   Jerusalem;   Rabbah;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Armies;   Sieges;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Uriah;   War;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ammon;   Joab;   Rabbah;   War;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Joab;   Holman Bible Dictionary - David;   Joab;   King, Kingship;   Rabbah;   Samuel, Books of;   Uriah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ammon, Ammonites;   David;   Immanuel;   Joab;   Marriage;   Rabbah;   Samuel, Books of;   Uriah;   War;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ammon, Ammonites, Children of Ammon;   Rabbah, Rabbath ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Bathsheba;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - David;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Rab'bah;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - War;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Joab;   Siege;   Time;   War;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - New-Year;   Rabbah (Rabbath);   War;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
In the spring when kings march out to war, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.
Hebrew Names Version
It happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out [to battle], that David sent Yo'av, and his servants with him, and all Yisra'el; and they destroyed the children of `Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Yerushalayim.
Lexham English Bible
It came about in the spring, at the time kings go out, David sent Joab and his servants with him and all of Israel. They ravaged all of the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David was remaining in Jerusalem.
English Standard Version
In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
New Century Version
In the spring, when the kings normally went out to war, David sent out Joab, his servants, and all the Israelites. They destroyed the Ammonites and attacked the city of Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem.
New English Translation
In the spring of the year, at the time when kings normally conduct wars, David sent out Joab with his officers and the entire Israelite army. They defeated the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
Amplified Bible
Then it happened in the spring, at the time when the kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all [the fighting men of] Israel, and they destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
New American Standard Bible
Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they brought destruction on the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And when the yeere was expired in the time when Kinges goe forth to battell, Dauid sent Ioab, and his seruantes with him, and all Israel, who destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah: but Dauid remayned in Ierusalem.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.
Contemporary English Version
It was now spring, the time when kings go to war. David sent out the whole Israelite army under the command of Joab and his officers. They destroyed the Ammonite army and surrounded the capital city of Rabbah, but David stayed in Jerusalem.
Complete Jewish Bible
In the spring, at the time when kings go out to war, David sent out Yo'av, his servants who were with him and all Isra'el. They ravaged the people of ‘Amon and laid siege to Rabbah. But David stayed in Yerushalayim.
Darby Translation
And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go forth, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they laid waste the [land of the] children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David abode at Jerusalem.
Easy-to-Read Version
In the spring, when kings go out to war, David sent Joab, his officers, and all the Israelites out to destroy the Ammonites. Joab's army surrounded their capital city, Rabbah. David stayed in Jerusalem.
George Lamsa Translation
AFTER the year expired, at the time when the king leaves the palace, David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel; and they besieged Rabbath. But David remained in Jerusalem.
Good News Translation
The following spring, at the time of the year when kings usually go to war, David sent out Joab with his officers and the Israelite army; they defeated the Ammonites and besieged the city of Rabbah. But David himself stayed in Jerusalem.
Literal Translation
And it happened at the turn of the year, at the time when kings go out, David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they destroyed the sons of Ammon, and lay siege to Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And whan ye yeare came aboute what tyme as ye kynges vse to go forth, Dauid sent Ioab and his seruautes with him, and all Israel, to destroye the children of Ammon, and to laye sege vnto Rabba: but Dauid abode at Ierusalem.
American Standard Version
And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out 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 at Jerusalem.
Bible in Basic English
Now in the spring, at the time when kings go out to war, David sent Joab and his servants and all Israel with him; and they made waste the land of the children of Ammon, and took up their position before Rabbah, shutting it in. But David was still at Jerusalem.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And it came to passe that after the yere was expired, in the time when kinges go foorth to battaile, Dauid sent Ioab & his seruautes with him, and all Israel, which destroyed the children of Ammon, & besieged Rabba: But Dauid taryed still at Hierusalem.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out 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 at Jerusalem.
King James Version (1611)
And it came to passe, that after the yeere was expired, at the time when kings goe foorth to battell, that Dauid sent Ioab and his seruants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah: but Dauid taried still at Ierusalem.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And it came to pass when the time o the year for kings going out to battle had come round, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbath: but David remained at Jerusalem.
English Revised Version
And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out [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 at Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent Joab with his servants and the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe it was doon, whanne the yeer turnede ayen in that tyme wherynne kyngis ben wont to go forth to batels, Dauid sente Joab, and with hym hise seruauntis, and al Israel; and thei distrieden the sones of Amon, and bisegiden Rabath; forsothe Dauid dwellide in Jerusalem.
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at the revolution of the year -- at the time of the going out of the messengers -- that David sendeth Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel, and they destroy the Bene-Ammon, and lay siege against Rabbah. And David is dwelling in Jerusalem,
Update Bible Version
And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out [to battle], that David sent Joab, and his slaves with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the sons of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem.
Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, after the year had 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 destroyed Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
World English Bible
It happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out [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 stayed at Jerusalem.
New King James Version
It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
New Living Translation
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
New Life Bible
The spring of the year was the time when kings went out to battle. At that time David sent Joab and his servants and all Israel. They destroyed the sons of Ammon and gathered the army around Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.
New Revised Standard
In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it came to pass, at the return of the year, at the time of the going forth of kings, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon, and laid siege to Rabbah, - but, David, was remaining in Jerusalem.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass at the return of the year, at the time when kings go forth to war, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel, and they spoiled the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabba: but David remained in Jerusalem.
Revised Standard Version
In the spring of the year, the time when kings go forth to battle, David sent Jo'ab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
THE MESSAGE
When that time of year came around again, the anniversary of the Ammonite aggression, David dispatched Joab and his fighting men of Israel in full force to destroy the Ammonites for good. They laid siege to Rabbah, but David stayed in Jerusalem.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.

Contextual Overview

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. 2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

am 2969, bc 1035, An, Ex, Is, 456

after the year: etc. Heb. at the return of the year. 1 Kings 20:22, 1 Kings 20:26, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Ecclesiastes 3:8

at the time: The sacred historian seems to intimate that there was one particular time of the year to which military operations were limited; and Josephus informs us that this took place in the beginning of spring. In another part of his works he says, that as soon as spring was begun, Adad levied and led forth his army against the Hebrews. Antiochus also prepared to invade Judea at the first appearance of spring; and Vespasian marched to Antipatris at the commencement of the same season. The kings and armies of the East, says Chardin, do not march but when there is grass, and when they can encamp, which is in April. This rule, however, seems to be disregarded in modern times.

David sent: 1 Chronicles 20:1, Zechariah 14:3

Rabbah: 2 Samuel 12:26, Deuteronomy 3:11, 1 Chronicles 20:1, Ezekiel 21:20

Reciprocal: Joshua 13:25 - Rabbah 1 Samuel 18:30 - went forth 2 Samuel 12:27 - Rabbah Psalms 60:9 - strong city Jeremiah 49:2 - her daughters

Cross-References

Isaiah 19:18
In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.
Zephaniah 3:9
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord , to serve him with one consent.
Acts 2:6
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass, that after the year was expired,.... Or at the end of the year, as the Targum, which concluded with the month Adar or February, the spring of the year:

at the time when kings go forth [to battle]; in the month Nisan, as the Targum on 1 Chronicles 20:1; adds, the same with Abib, which was the first month of the year, Exodus 12:2, a fit time to go out to war; when, as the Jewish commentators observe, the rains were over, and there were grass in the fields, and fruit on the trees, and corn ripe, and so food for horse and men. This month was called Nisan, as some think d, from

נסים, the military banners then erected; so by the Romans it is called Martius, and by us March, from Mars, the god of war; though some e take this to be the month Tisri, answering to part of September, and part of October, when all the fruits of the earth were gathered in, and supposed to be a fit time for war, when the heat of the year was declining:

that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; his whole army under Joab as general; in 1 Chronicles 20:1; it is "the power of the army"; the whole body of it: and they destroyed the children of Ammon; burnt their cities, and slew the inhabitants of them, and laid their land waste wherever they came:

and besieged Rabbah; their chief city, called Rabathamana by Polybius f, that is, Rabbah of Ammon, and afterwards. Philadelphia, from Philadelphus, king of Egypt, as it was in the times of Jerom g:

but David tarried still at Jerusalem; which is observed for the sake of the following history; it would have been well for him if he had gone forth with the army himself, then the sin he fell into would have been prevented.

d Vid. Bochart. Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. 50. col. 557. e Weemse of the Judicial Law, c. 28. p. 106. f Hist. l. 5. p. 414. g De loc. Heb. fol. 94. C.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

After the year was expired - The next spring after the escape of the Ammonites into their city 2 Samuel 10:14.

The children of Ammon - The marginal reference supplies the word “the land of,” which is obviously the right reading.

David tarried at Jerusalem - The Syrians being subdued, the war with Ammon was not of sufficient moment to require David’s personal presence. The whole section relating to David’s adultery and Uriah’s death, from this verse to 2 Samuel 12:26, is omitted in the Book of Chronicles.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER XI

David sends Joab against the Ammonites, who besieges the city

of Rabbah, 1.

He sees Bath-sheba, the wife of Uriah, bathing; is enamoured of

her; sends for and takes her to his bed, 24.

She conceives, and informs David, 5.

David sends to Joab, and orders him to send to him Uriah, 6.

He arrives; and David having inquired the state of the army,

dismisses him, desiring him to go to his own house, 7, 8.

Uriah sleeps at the door of the king's house, 9.

The next day the king urges him to go to his house; but he

refuses to go, and gives the most pious and loyal reasons

for his refusal, 10-11.

David after two days sends him back to the army, with a letter

to Joab, desiring him to place Uriah in the front of the

battle, that he may be slain, 12-15.

He does so; and Uriah falls, 16, 17.

Joab communicates this news in an artful message to David,

18-25.

David sends for Bath-sheba and takes her to wife, and she bears

him a son, 26, 27.

NOTES ON CHAP. XI

Verse 2 Samuel 11:1. When kings go forth — This was about a year after the war with the Syrians spoken of before, and about the spring of the year, as the most proper season for military operations. Calmet thinks they made two campaigns, one in autumn and the other in spring; the winter being in many respects inconvenient, and the summer too hot.


 
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