What does 2 Samuel 12:26 mean?

The year before, King Nahash of the Ammonites had died. He had always been good to David, so David sent messengers with condolences to Nahash's son Hanun. Hanun foolishly believed advisors who warned that David's true purpose was to send spies to consider how to take the city. Hanun ordered his men to take David's messengers, shave off half their beards, and cut their robes to a disgraceful length (2 Samuel 10:1–5).

Before David could send his general Joab to war, the Ammonites hired Syrians and others to back them up. Joab battled the Syrians, and his brother Abishai took on the Ammonites. The Syrians quickly fled, and the Ammonites hid in their walled city. When the Syrians returned with reinforcements, David came with more warriors. The Syrians learned not to get in David's way and retreated (2 Samuel 10:6–19).

The next spring, David sent Joab to decisively take care of the Ammonites. David stayed home, which wasn't a sin: a king needs to rule. But while the fighting raged, David slept with Bathsheba, wife of one of his mighty men, Uriah (2 Samuel 11).

We don't know the exact timeline of the events in 2 Samuel 12. Ancient writers typically tell one story to completion, even if another story was happening simultaneously. So, we don't know if Nathan confronted Dave before or after this final battle, or where in the sequence the baby died (2 Samuel 12:1–23). We can be certain that Solomon wasn't born until years later, especially if the three brothers mentioned in the genealogies were older (1 Chronicles 3:5).

Joab and his army have all but defeated Rabbah. In loyalty to his king, he sends for David to take the final stroke and lay claim to the spoils. By the time the battle is over, they'll have conquered several Ammonite cities and left with their riches and their people (2 Samuel 12:27–31).