2 Samuel 12 28

2 Samuel 12:28 kjv

Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.

2 Samuel 12:28 nkjv

Now therefore, gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called after my name."

2 Samuel 12:28 niv

Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will take the city, and it will be named after me."

2 Samuel 12:28 esv

Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name."

2 Samuel 12:28 nlt

Now bring the rest of the army and capture the city. Otherwise, I will capture it and get credit for the victory."

2 Samuel 12 verses

2 Samuel 12 28 Meaning

This verse conveys a crucial message from Joab, David's military commander, regarding the ongoing siege of Rabbah, the Ammonite capital. Joab informs David that he has captured the "city of waters"—the critical outer defenses and water supply—rendering the main city vulnerable. He then explicitly urges King David to personally gather the remaining forces, lead the final assault, and ensure he, as king, takes credit for the capture. Joab's stated motivation is to prevent himself from conquering the city alone and thus receiving the honor and having the city's victory "called after his name," an acclaim that rightfully belongs to the monarch. This action reveals Joab's strategic political acumen and his understanding of royal protocol and the significance of a king's public image and legacy.

2 Samuel 12 28 Context

This verse is embedded in a critical juncture of King David's reign, immediately following Nathan's confrontational prophecy concerning David's egregious sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. David's direct responsibility for the war against Ammon and the siege of Rabbah is emphasized by his remaining in Jerusalem when "kings go out to battle" (2 Sam 11:1). Joab, David's shrewd and capable general, has been conducting the protracted siege of Rabbah. In the preceding verse (2 Sam 12:27), Joab reports to David that he has successfully taken the "city of waters"—a crucial part of Rabbah's defenses that supplied its water, signaling that the main stronghold is now poised for imminent fall. Joab's message in 2 Samuel 12:28 is a direct, urgent, and politically astute appeal to David to come and lead the final conquest, ensuring that the king receives the public acclaim for victory rather than his general. This act by Joab both respects David's royal prerogative and implicitly calls David back to his leadership responsibilities.

2 Samuel 12 28 Word analysis

• Now therefore (וְעַתָּה - wəʿattâ): This conjunction signifies a logical consequence or a transition to an urgent command. It directly links to Joab's previous report (v. 27), setting the stage for his crucial request to David. It emphasizes the immediacy and significance of the current situation.
• gather (אֶסֹף - ʾesōf): From the root אָסַף (asaf), meaning "to collect, assemble, gather." This imperative implies David's ultimate authority in marshaling the entire army for the final assault. It's a call for the king's active presence and command in this decisive moment.
• the rest of the people (אֶת־יֶתֶר הָעָם - ʾet-yeter hāʿām): This refers to the main body of David's forces, suggesting Joab has already committed significant troops and effort, but the culminating blow requires the full strength and perhaps especially the psychological impact of the king's presence.
• together (usually implied by אֶסֹף): While not a separate Hebrew word here, the act of "gathering" inherently means bringing people into unity for a common purpose, in this case, the final assault.
• and encamp against (וַחֲנֵה עָלֶיהָ - wachănēh ʿālehā): From חָנָה (chanah), meaning "to encamp, besiege, lay siege to." This is a specific military directive to David to lead the troops in positioning themselves for the final attack on Rabbah. It implies preparation and strategy for the impending capture.
• the city (הָעִיר - hāʿīr): Refers specifically to the main, fortified city of Rabbah, the capital of the Ammonites, distinct from the "city of waters" already captured by Joab.
• and take it (וְלָכְדָהּ - wəlākhədāh): From לָכַד (lakad), meaning "to capture, seize, grasp." This is the ultimate objective, the conquest of Rabbah itself. Joab invites David to deliver the decisive blow.

• lest I take the city (פֶּן־אֶקַּח אֲנִי אֶת־הָעִיר - pen-ʾeqqaḥ ʾanī ʾet-hāʿīr): The Hebrew particle פֶּן (pen) expresses prevention or the fear of an undesired outcome. Joab expresses concern not for his own ability to take the city, but for the implication of doing so without David's presence. "I take" emphasizes Joab's agency and military prowess. This phrasing reveals Joab's political insight and respect for royal authority.
• and it be called after my name (וְנִקְרָא שְׁמִי עָלֶיהָ - wəniqraʾ shəmī ʿāleyhā): Literally, "and my name be called upon it." The verb "be called" is in the Niphal (passive) form of קָרָא (qaraʾ), meaning "to call, name." This phrase denotes permanent association, renown, or ownership. In ancient warfare, conquering generals or kings would often commemorate their victories by naming captured territories or cities after themselves, thereby immortalizing their deeds and establishing their legacy. Joab recognizes that such honor, particularly for the capital of a defeated enemy, properly belongs solely to the king.

2 Samuel 12 28 Bonus section

This verse implicitly points to David's return to active leadership following a period of great personal tribulation and moral failing (Bathsheba and Uriah). By inviting David to take the final step, Joab provided an opportunity for the king to reassert his image as a victorious commander, thus aiding in the restoration of public confidence. The custom of naming conquered cities after the victorious general or king was a common practice in the ancient Near East, serving as a powerful political statement and a monument to their military achievements and might. Joab's recognition of this customary practice and his conscious deferral to David underscore his political intelligence, showing that he prioritized the stability of the monarchy and David's reputation over personal glory, knowing such personal glory could threaten his own position in the long run.

2 Samuel 12 28 Commentary

2 Samuel 12:28 highlights Joab's remarkable political sagacity amidst David's moral and leadership lapse. After completing the hard, decisive work of the siege by capturing Rabbah's water supply, Joab did not seize the ultimate glory for himself. Instead, he pragmatically and shrewdly summoned King David to lead the final assault. This act was driven not merely by loyalty, but by a deep understanding of the hierarchical structure of the monarchy and the symbolic importance of the king's personal triumph. To allow Joab to take the city and have it named "after his name" would have been an implicit challenge to David's sovereignty and might have fueled envy or instability within the kingdom. Joab, while often ruthless in his methods, was devoted to the stability of David's throne. This communication serves as a powerful call to David to resume his kingly duties, to visibly lead his people, and to claim the victory that secures his legacy, especially at a time when his authority might have been undermined by his personal failings. It exemplifies how competent subordinates can wisely protect their superiors' reputations and the overall strength of an institution.