Capture of the City of Rabbah
1 In the spring 20:1 Lit At the time of the return of the year when kings march out to war, 20:1–3 2Sm 12:26–31 Joab led the army and destroyed the Ammonites’ land. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. 20:1 2Sm 11:1 Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it. 2 Then David took the crown from the head of their king, 20:2 LXX, Vg read of Milcom, 20:2 = Molech; 1Kg 11:5,7, 20:2 1Kg 11:5,7 and it was placed on David’s head. He found that the crown weighed seventy-five pounds 20:2 Lit a talent of gold, and there was a precious stone in it. In addition, David took away a large quantity of plunder from the city. 3 He brought out the people who were in it and put them to work with saws, 20:3 Text emended; MT reads and sawed them with the saw; 2Sm 12:31 iron picks, and axes. 20:3 Text emended; MT reads saws; 2Sm 12:31, 20:3 2Sm 12:31 David did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.