2 Samuel 11:20

What does 2 Samuel 11:20 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Samuel 11:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

it shall be that, if the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore went ye so nigh unto the city to fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

it shall be that, if the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore went ye so nigh unto the city to fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If the king is angry and says, Why did you go so near the town for the fight? was it not certain that their archers would be on the wall?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

then, it hath been, if the king's fury ascend, and he hath said to thee, Wherefore did ye draw nigh unto the city to fight? did ye not know that they shoot from off the wall?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

If thou see him to be angry, and he shall say: Why did you approach so near to the wall to fight? knew you not that many darts are thrown from above off the wall?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say to thee, Why did ye go so near to the city to fight? did ye not know that they would shoot from the wall?

Context

v.19and he charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling all the things concerning the war unto the king,

v.20This passage

v.21who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast an upper millstone upon him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? why went ye so nigh the wall? then shalt thou say, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

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