Single lesson
The Capture of Rabbah
2 Samuel 12:26–31; 1 Chronicles 20:1–3
This lesson follows the capture of Rabbah in two Bible accounts. Students will sequence the events, notice the choices made by Joab and David, and think carefully about what these verses show about people, outcomes and whether God is mentioned directly here.
Before you teach
In these verses, Joab fights against Rabbah and sends a message to David. One account says Joab took the royal city and the city of waters before David came. Another says Joab besieged Rabbah, struck it and overthrew it, while David stayed at Jerusalem and later took the crown and plunder.
Students will be able to place the main events of 2 Samuel 12:26–31 and 1 Chronicles 20:1–3 in order, describe two choices and their outcomes from the text, and state that these verses record human actions and results without directly mentioning God in this scene.
Welcome: What happens first in Rabbah?
5 minWrite the nine verse references where everyone can see them. Explain that this is a wartime account, so today we will read it carefully and soberly. Ask students to listen for repeated actions such as fought, took, sent, gathered, returned. Introduce Rabbah, Joab and David only from the verses given.
2 Samuel 12:26, 2 Samuel 12:27, 2 Samuel 12:29, 2 Samuel 12:31, 1 Chronicles 20:1, 1 Chronicles 20:3
Read and explain: Joab’s message and David’s arrival
10 minRead 2 Samuel 12:26–29 slowly. Point out the order: Joab fought against Rabbah, took the royal city, then sent messengers to David. He said he had taken the city of waters and urged David to gather the rest of the people and take the city. Then David gathered the people, went to Rabbah, fought and took it.
2 Samuel 12:26, 2 Samuel 12:27, 2 Samuel 12:28, 2 Samuel 12:29
Discuss both accounts: What each passage says
9 minRead 1 Chronicles 20:1–3, then compare the wording with 2 Samuel 12:30–31. Notice that Chronicles adds that this was the time when kings go out and that David stayed at Jerusalem. Both accounts say David took the crown, brought out much plunder, and that the people of Ammon were brought out and treated harshly. Keep observations tied to the words on the page.
1 Chronicles 20:1, 1 Chronicles 20:2, 1 Chronicles 20:3, 2 Samuel 12:30, 2 Samuel 12:31
Make and respond: Build a text-based sequence line
10 minIn pairs, students make simple sequence cards on scrap paper with short labels such as fought, sent, gather, took, crown, plunder, returned. They place each card under the verse that supports it. Then they add one choice and one outcome from the passage, such as Joab sending for David and David gathering the people.
2 Samuel 12:27, 2 Samuel 12:28, 2 Samuel 12:29, 2 Samuel 12:30, 2 Samuel 12:31, 1 Chronicles 20:1
Closing: What do these verses teach, and what do they not say directly?
6 minReview the sequence aloud. Ask students to state one thing the passage shows about people, such as leadership decisions, battle actions or the treatment of captives. Then ask, ‘Do these verses mention God directly, or do they mainly record human actions and results?’ Close by noting that these verses describe actions, victory, plunder and return to Jerusalem, while not directly naming God in this scene.
2 Samuel 12:26, 2 Samuel 12:31, 1 Chronicles 20:1, 1 Chronicles 20:3
Questions to explore
Why does Joab send for David after saying he has taken the city of waters?
Use Joab’s own reason in the verse: he does not want the city to be called by his name, so he tells David to gather the rest of the people and take it.
2 Samuel 12:27, 2 Samuel 12:28
What does 1 Chronicles add about the timing and David’s location?
Look for the opening line about the return of the year and the note that David stayed at Jerusalem while Joab led the army to Rabbah.
1 Chronicles 20:1
Do these verses mention God directly, or do they mainly record human actions and results? What details support your answer?
Scan the verses and list the named actions of Joab, David and the people, then notice that the scene itself does not directly mention God by name.
2 Samuel 12:26, 2 Samuel 12:31, 1 Chronicles 20:1, 1 Chronicles 20:3
Make, think or respond
Rabbah Sequence Line
What you’ll need
- scrap paper or index cards
- pens or pencils
- Bible text
- tape or Blu Tack
Try it together
- Write one event from the passage on each card, using words from the verses where possible.
- Place the cards in order on a table or wall, and match each card to a verse reference.
- Add two extra cards labelled choice and outcome, then fill them with examples from the passage.
- Add one final card labelled direct mention of God? and write a short answer based on the verses.
- Explain your sequence to another pair, showing which verse supports each step.
This activity helps students trace the order of events, describe human choices and outcomes, and notice that 2 Samuel 12:26–31 and 1 Chronicles 20:1–3 do not directly mention God in this scene.
Adapt for your group
- For younger or less confident readers, prepare fewer event cards and let them choose from short phrases already written from the verses.
- For stronger readers, ask them to separate observations from interpretations by marking each card with either what the text says directly or a cautious conclusion from the wording.
An optional closing prayer
God, help us read your word carefully and honestly. Teach us to notice what you say, to speak truthfully about hard passages, and to learn from what we read. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Samuel 12
26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27 Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah. Yes, I have taken the city of waters.
28 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 by my name.”
29 David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah, and fought against it and took it.
30 He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David’s head. He brought a great quantity of plunder out of the city.
31 He brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work under saws, under iron picks, under axes of iron, and made them go to the brick kiln; and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 20
1 At the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, Joab led out the army and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it.
2 David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it. It was set on David’s head, and he brought very much plunder out of the city.
3 He brought out the people who were in it, and had them cut with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.