English Standard Version

2 Samuel 12:23-31 English Standard Version (ESV)

23. But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

24. Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him

25. and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.

26. Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city.

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

28. 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.”

29. So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it.

30. And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount.

31. And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.