And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.

2 SAMUEL 12:27KJV
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2 Samuel 12:27 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 12:27 mean?

2 Samuel 12:27 reports that Joab, the commander of David’s army, sent messengers to King David to announce that he had fought against the city of Rabbah and had captured its water supply. This message signals that the city is nearly defeated, as controlling the water source is a major step toward victory.

Joab is speaking to David through messengers, updating him on the progress of the siege against Rabbah, which was the capital city of the Ammonites. By stating he has taken “the city of waters,” Joab is letting David know that the most strategic part of the city—likely its water reservoir or access point—has been secured, making the final conquest inevitable and inviting David to come and claim the victory himself.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 12:27

  • רַבָּה (Rabbah, transliteration: Rabbah): This is the name of the Ammonite capital city under siege. Knowing this helps the reader place the action geographically and historically.
  • מֵי (mayim, transliteration: mayim, from H4325): This word means “waters.” The phrase “city of waters” refers to a part of Rabbah that controlled the water supply, which was crucial for the city’s survival and defense.
  • לָכַד (lakad, transliteration: lakad, from H3920): This word means “to capture” or “to take.” Joab’s use of this word emphasizes that he has seized a key part of the city, not just fought against it.

Why 2 Samuel 12:27 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Joab did not finish the conquest alone but paused to let David claim the final victory, which was an act of loyalty and respect for the king.
  • By mentioning the capture of the “city of waters,” the verse highlights the strategic importance of controlling resources in ancient warfare, giving insight into military tactics of the time.
  • This moment sets up the next events in the chapter, where David comes to complete the conquest, which has implications for his leadership and legacy.

Where else these words appear

“Rabbah” Hebrew H7237 · used in 14 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
  • 2 Samuel 12:26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
  • Jeremiah 49:2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.

“taken” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
  • Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
  • 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.