2 Samuel 11:15
New International Version
In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”

New Living Translation
The letter instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
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.”

NASB 1995
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.”

NASB 1977
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.”

Legacy Standard Bible
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.”

Amplified Bible
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.”

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
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."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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."

Good News Translation
He wrote: "Put Uriah in the front line, where the fighting is heaviest, then retreat and let him be killed."

International Standard Version
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."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
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."

New Heart English Bible
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."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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.”

Young's Literal Translation
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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
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.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.”

New American Bible
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.”

New Revised Standard Version
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.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
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”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he wrote in the letter, saying, Station Urias in front of the severe part of the fight, and retreat from behind him, so shall he be wounded and die.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Arranges Uriah's Death
14The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15In 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.” 16So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he saw the strongest enemy soldiers.…

Cross References
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.

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.

Psalm 51:14
Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

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 12:14
Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”

1 Kings 21:19
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!’”

1 Kings 21:25
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.

Jeremiah 22:17
“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”

Micah 6:16
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.”

Matthew 5:21-22
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.

Matthew 5:27-28
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.

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.

Romans 6:12-13
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.

Galatians 5:19-21
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.

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

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.

Set ye

2 Samuel 11:17
And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

1 Samuel 18:17,21,25
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…

Psalm 51:4,14
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest…

hottest [heb] strong

2 Samuel 12:9
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 to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

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Battle Care Death Die Died Draw Fighting Forefront Front Hardest Letter Over-Against Overcome Retire Smitten Struck Turned Uriah Uri'ah Urijah Violent Withdraw Writeth Written Wrote
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Battle Care Death Die Died Draw Fighting Forefront Front Hardest Letter Over-Against Overcome Retire Smitten Struck Turned Uriah Uri'ah Urijah Violent Withdraw Writeth Written Wrote
2 Samuel 11
1. While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bathsheba
6. 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














In the letter he wrote
This phrase introduces the medium of communication used by King David to convey his deadly instructions. The Hebrew word for "letter" is "סֵפֶר" (sefer), which can mean a written document or scroll. In ancient times, letters were often sealed with a personal seal to ensure authenticity. This highlights the premeditated nature of David's actions, as he uses a formal and deliberate method to orchestrate Uriah's death. The use of a letter underscores the gravity and calculated nature of the sin, contrasting with the integrity expected of a king chosen by God.

Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle
The command to place Uriah at the "front" of the battle is a strategic military decision with fatal intent. The Hebrew word for "front" is "פָּנִים" (panim), often translated as "face" or "presence," indicating the most dangerous position in battle. This phrase reveals David's manipulation of military tactics for personal gain, exploiting his authority over the army. Historically, the front lines were where the fiercest fighting occurred, and soldiers placed there faced the highest risk of death. This decision reflects a betrayal of trust, as Uriah was one of David's mighty men, a group of elite warriors loyal to the king.

then withdraw from him
The instruction to "withdraw" is a tactical maneuver intended to isolate Uriah, ensuring his vulnerability. The Hebrew root "סוּר" (sur) means to turn aside or depart, indicating a deliberate abandonment. This phrase highlights the treachery involved, as it requires complicity from Joab, the commander of the army. The act of withdrawing support in battle is a stark metaphor for the moral withdrawal David experiences as he distances himself from God's commandments. It also reflects the broader theme of isolation that sin brings, separating individuals from God and community.

so that he will be struck down and die
The outcome David seeks is Uriah's death, a tragic conclusion to a series of sinful decisions. The Hebrew word for "struck down" is "נָכָה" (nakah), meaning to smite or kill, often used in the context of divine judgment or warfare. This phrase underscores the severity of David's sin, as he orchestrates a murder to cover his adultery with Bathsheba. Theologically, this act is a profound violation of the commandments, illustrating the destructive power of sin and the lengths to which one might go to conceal it. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's law and the need for repentance and divine forgiveness.

(15) Retire ye from him.--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.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In the letter
בַּסֵּ֖פֶר (bas·sê·p̄er)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

he wrote:
וַיִּכְתֹּ֥ב (way·yiḵ·tōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

“Put
הָב֣וּ (hā·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3051: To give, to put, imperatively, come

Uriah
אֽוּרִיָּ֗ה (’ū·rî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 223: Uriah -- 'flame of Yah', the name of a Hittite and of two Israelites

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

the front
מוּל֙ (mūl)
Preposition
Strong's 4136: Abrupt, a precipice, the front, opposite

of the fiercest
הַֽחֲזָקָ֔ה (ha·ḥă·zā·qāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2389: Strong, stout, mighty

battle;
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ (ham·mil·ḥā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

then withdraw
וְשַׁבְתֶּ֥ם (wə·šaḇ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from him,
מֵאַחֲרָ֖יו (mê·’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

so that he may be struck down
וְנִכָּ֥ה (wə·nik·kāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

and die.”
וָמֵֽת׃ (wā·mêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT History: 2 Samuel 11:15 He wrote in the letter saying Set (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 11:14
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