14. In the morning, David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of URIAH.

15. 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."

16. When Joab kept watch on the city, he assigned URIAH to the place where he knew that valiant men were.

17. The men of the city went out, and fought with Joab. Some of the people fell, even of David's servants; and URIAH the Hittite died also.

18. Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;

19. and he commanded the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling all the things concerning the war to the king,

20. it shall be that, if the king's wrath arise, and he asks you, 'Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn't you know that they would shoot from the wall?

21. Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn't a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' then you shall say, 'Your servant URIAH the Hittite is also dead.'"

22. So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.

23. The messenger said to David, "The men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were on them even to the entrance of the gate.

24. The shooters shot at your servants from off the wall; and some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant URIAH the Hittite is also dead."

25. Then David said to the messenger, "Tell Joab, 'Don't let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle stronger against the city, and overthrow it.' Encourage him."