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 11:21KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 11:21 mean?
2 Samuel 11:21 recalls a story from Israel’s history where Abimelech, the son of Jerubbesheth, was killed when a woman threw a piece of a millstone from a city wall, warning against approaching too close to enemy walls in battle. The verse ends with the messenger being told to report that Uriah the Hittite is also dead, linking this warning to the recent death of Uriah.
This verse is part of a message Joab sends to David after Uriah’s death in battle. Joab anticipates that David might be angry about the risky tactics used, so he reminds the messenger of Abimelech’s fate as a cautionary example. The mention of Uriah’s death is meant to soften David’s reaction, since Uriah’s death was David’s hidden objective.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 11:21
- "smote" (נָכָה, nakhah): This word means to strike or kill. Here, it refers to the fatal blow Abimelech received, emphasizing the unexpected way he died.
- "cast" (שָׁלַךְ, shalak): This word means to throw or hurl. The verse highlights that it was a woman who threw the millstone, underlining the shame and unexpectedness of Abimelech’s death.
- "millstone" (רֵכֶב, rekhev): This refers to a heavy stone used for grinding grain. The detail adds to the humiliation of Abimelech’s death, as he was killed not by a warrior, but by a household object wielded by a woman.
- "Uriah" (אוּרִיָּה, Uriyyah): Naming Uriah the Hittite specifically connects the historical warning to the current event, showing that his death was not accidental but orchestrated.
Why 2 Samuel 11:21 matters
- This verse clarifies that approaching city walls in ancient warfare was extremely dangerous, as defenders could easily attack from above, sometimes in unexpected ways.
- The reference to Abimelech’s death serves as a historical lesson, showing that even great warriors can fall due to carelessness or underestimating their enemy.
- The verse reveals Joab’s awareness of David’s intentions regarding Uriah, exposing the manipulation and moral compromise behind the military report.