Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 11:16

"And it came to pass, when Joab kept watch upon the city, that he assigned Uriah unto the place where he knew that valiant men were." — 2 Samuel 11:16 (ASV)

Observed the city. —The word means watched, or blockaded. In the operations of the siege Joab so arranged some of his forces as to invite a sally from the city under circumstances in which it would be successful. It appears from 2 Samuel 11:24 that Uriah’s party had been sent so near as to come within reach of the archers on the wall.