שמואל ב, פרק י״א, פסוק י״ח

After several days of combat and new developments on the battlefield following Uriah's visit to Jerusalem, the moment arrives to update the king. However, this routine military report carries a dark and hidden meaning. Joab sends the battlefield update either through a messenger or a letter [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The delivery of this information is carefully structured with precise political and psychological calculation.

Joab instructs the messenger to report the dangerous military tactic of bringing the soldiers close to the city wall. He provides a strict condition: only if the king becomes angry at this risky maneuver should the messenger add the news that Uriah has died. This careful planning serves a dual purpose. Outwardly, the messenger presents the death as simply another piece of tragic news delivered to a furious king. On a hidden level, David will immediately understand that the dangerous approach to the wall was done intentionally to carry out his command to ensure Uriah's death [אברבנאל].

Joab's conditional instruction is specifically designed to conceal the conspiracy. If David does not show anger, the messenger will not mention Uriah's death at all. This ensures that anyone listening nearby will not suspect Joab of initiating the fatal maneuver. Furthermore, this complex method of communication guarantees that the messenger remains completely innocent, entirely unaware that the casualty on the battlefield is actually the fulfillment of a secret execution order from the king [אברבנאל].