18. And so, Joab sent and reported to David every word about the battle.
19. And he instructed the messenger, saying: "When you have completed all the words about the war to the king,
20. if you see him to be angry, and if he says: 'Why did you draw near to the wall in order to fight? Are you ignorant that many darts are thrown from above the wall?
21. 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.' "
22. Therefore, the messenger departed. And he went and described to David all that Joab had instructed him.
23. And the messenger said to David: "The men prevailed against us, and they went out to us in the field. Then we pursued them, making an assault, even to the gate of the city.
24. And the archers directed their arrows at your servants from the wall above. And some of the king's servants died, and then also your servant Uriah the Hittite died."
25. 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.' "
26. Then the wife of Uriah heard that her husband Uriah had died, and she mourned for him.
27. But when the lamentation was completed, David sent and brought her into his house, and she became his wife, and she bore a son to him. And this word, which David had done, was displeasing in the sight of the Lord.