20. if his anger rises and he says to you, ‘Why did you approach so near to the city? Did you not know that they might shoot from the city wall?
21. Who killed Abimelek the son of Jerub-Besheth? Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the city wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you approach so near to the city wall?’ You shall then say, ‘Additionally your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’ ”
22. So the messenger departed and came to report to David everything that Joab had sent with him.
23. The messenger reported to David, “The men prevailed over us when they came out against us in the open field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate.
24. Then the archers shot at your servants from upon the city wall, and some of those who serve the king are dead. Even your servant Uriah the Hittite died.”
25. So David replied to the messenger, “Thus you shall report to Joab, ‘Do not allow this thing to dismay you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Sustain your attack against the city and bring it to ruin.’ Encourage him with this reply.”