2 Samuel 11:17 net — When the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, some of David’s soldiers fell in battle. Uriah the Hittite also…

NET Bible

"When the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, some of David’s soldiers fell in battle. Uriah the Hittite also died."

— 2 Samuel 11:17, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

2 Samuel 11:17 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

2 Samuel 11 — Context

14

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.

15

In the letter he wrote:“Station Uriah at the front in the thick of the battle and then withdraw from him so he will be cut down and killed.”

16

So as Joab kept watch on the city, he stationed Uriah at the place where he knew the best enemy soldiers were.

17

When the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, some of David’s soldiers fell in battle. Uriah the Hittite also died.

18

Then Joab sent a full battle report to David.

19

He instructed the messenger as follows:“When you finish giving the battle report to the king,

20

if the king becomes angry and asks you,‘Why did you go so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you realize they would shoot from the wall?

2 Samuel 11:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Samuel 11:17 say?
2 Samuel 11:17 in the NET Bible reads: “When the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, some of David’s soldiers fell in battle. Uriah the Hittite also died.”
Where is 2 Samuel 11:17 in the Bible?
2 Samuel 11:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 11, verse 17.
Who wrote 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Nathan and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 2 Samuel about?
2 Samuel records David's reign — his rise to the throne, the conquest of Jerusalem, the eternal covenant God makes with his house, and the moral failure with Bathsheba that fractures his family. From the highs of triumph to the depths of repentance, David remains the messianic prototype.
What are the major themes of 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel explores themes including Davidic Covenant, Sin & Repentance, Kingdom, Mercy, Consequences. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Samuel 11:17.
What translation should I read 2 Samuel 11:17 in?
2 Samuel 11:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Samuel 11:17?
2 Samuel 11:17 reads (NET): “When the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, some of David’s soldiers fell in battle. Uriah the Hittite also died.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
GodsGoodBook logo

GodsGoodBook

Making God's Word accessible to everyone

Experience the Bible like never before with multiple translations, powerful search tools, and features to make God's Word personal to you. Completely free, forever.

Features

15+ Bible Translations
Powerful Search Tools
Highlight & Annotate
Share Verses
100% Free Forever
© 2025 GodsGoodBookVersion 1.8.2