17 And the men, departing from the city, made war against Joab. And some of the people among the servants of David fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died.
18 And so, Joab sent and reported to David every word about the battle.
19 And he instructed the messenger, saying: "When you have completed all the words about the war to the king,
20 if you see him to be angry, and if he says: 'Why did you draw near to the wall in order to fight? Are you ignorant that many darts are thrown from above the wall?
21 Who struck down Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal? Did not a woman throw a fragment of a millstone upon him from the wall, and so kill him at Thebez? Why did you approach beside the wall?' then you shall say: 'Your servant Uriah, the Hittite, also lies dead.' "
22 Therefore, the messenger departed. And he went and described to David all that Joab had instructed him.
23 And the messenger said to David: "The men prevailed against us, and they went out to us in the field. Then we pursued them, making an assault, even to the gate of the city.