John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:27
And Joab sent messengers to David ,.... To acquaint him how he had proceeded, and what success he had had: and said, I have fought against Rabbah ; laid siege to it, and skirmished with parties that sallied out upon them: and have taken the city of waters ; the same with the royal city, and so the Targum here renders it; so called because situated by the waterside; Adrichomius says F24 Theatrum T. S. p. 34. the river Jabbok flowed round about it: or it abounded with fountains... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 12:26-31
We have here an account of the conquest of Rabbah, and other cities of the Ammonites. Though this comes in here after the birth of David's child, yet it is most probable that it was effected a good while before, and soon after the death of Uriah, perhaps during the days of Bath-sheba's mourning for him. Observe, 1. That God was very gracious in giving David this great success against his enemies, notwithstanding the sin he had been guilty of just at that time when he was engaged in this war,... read more