King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 11:21 Mean?

2 Samuel 11:21 in the King James Version says “Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

2 Samuel 11:21 · KJV


Context

19

And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,

20

And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

21

Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

22

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

23

And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David and Bathsheba, emphasizing devastating consequences of sin. David's adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah represent the nadir of his reign. The Hebrew narrative's sparse, matter-of-fact reporting heightens the horror. The phrase "but the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" (v. 27) marks divine displeasure. This chapter demonstrates that even "a man after God's own heart" can fall catastrophically when neglecting spiritual disciplines and succumbing to temptation. Cross-references to Psalm 51 reveal David's repentance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 11 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding devastating consequences of sin provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of devastating consequences of sin?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
מִֽי1 of 26
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

הִכָּ֞ה2 of 26

Who smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת3 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲבִימֶ֣לֶךְ4 of 26

Abimelech

H40

abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites

בֶּן5 of 26

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְרֻבֶּ֗שֶׁת6 of 26

of Jerubbesheth

H3380

jerubbesheth, a symbolic name for gideon

הֲלֽוֹא7 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אִשָּׁ֡ה8 of 26

did not a woman

H802

a woman

הִשְׁלִ֣יכָה9 of 26

cast

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

עָלָיו֩10 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פֶּ֨לַח11 of 26

a piece

H6400

a slice

רֶ֜כֶב12 of 26

of a millstone

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

מֵעַ֤ל13 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַֽחוֹמָ֑ה14 of 26

the wall

H2346

a wall of protection

מֵֽת׃15 of 26

is dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בְּתֵבֵ֔ץ16 of 26

in Thebez

H8405

tebets, a place in palestine

לָ֥מָּה17 of 26
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

נִגַּשְׁתֶּ֖ם18 of 26

why went ye nigh

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אֶל19 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַֽחוֹמָ֑ה20 of 26

the wall

H2346

a wall of protection

וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔21 of 26

then say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

גַּ֗ם22 of 26
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

עַבְדְּךָ֛23 of 26

thou Thy servant

H5650

a servant

אֽוּרִיָּ֥ה24 of 26

Uriah

H223

urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites

הַֽחִתִּ֖י25 of 26

the Hittite

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

מֵֽת׃26 of 26

is dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 11:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 11:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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