2 Samuel 18:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the man said to Joab, "Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not reach out my hand against the king 's son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake protect the young man Absalom.’

NIV: But the man replied, "Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake. ’

NASB: But the man said to Joab, 'Even if I were to receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘ Protect the young man Absalom for me!’

CSB: The man replied to Joab, "Even if I had the weight of a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for me.’

NLT: I would not kill the king’s son for even a thousand pieces of silver, ' the man replied to Joab. 'We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake, please spare young Absalom.’

KJV: And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.

NKJV: But the man said to Joab, “Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!’

Ever since David fled Saul, Joab has dedicated himself to fighting David's battles, either with him or for him (1 Samuel 22:1). He's extremely loyal to David. But his loyalty exceeds his obedience. He's more than willing to defy an order if he believes David is wrong. When David made a treaty with Saul's general Abner, Joab couldn't overlook the fact that Abner killed his brother Asahel (2 Samuel 2:23), so Joab murdered Abner (2 Samuel 3:26–30).

Joab in once again in a similar situation. David's son Absalom has led a revolt against his father, taken Jerusalem and David's concubines, and gathered a large army. A soldier has arrived and told Absalom that, stunningly, Absalom's head is caught in a tree branch, and he's hanging in midair. Even more incredulously, the soldier just left him. He didn't kill King David's sworn enemy when he had the chance. Joab and David's forces are winning, but the battle won't be truly over until Absalom's dead. David's command to be merciful to Absalom (2 Samuel 18:5) doesn't even register in Joab's strategic mind. He is furious. He claims he would have given the soldier more than a lifetime's wages and the belt of a warrior if only he'd drawn his spear and made one thrust (2 Samuel 18:9–11).

The young soldier is more interested in serving David through obedience. He lists the reasons why he can't kill Absalom. David told everyone within hearing to treat Absalom kindly. A prince of the realm deserves his respect, even if he is currently a traitor. And it would be hard to spend money if David found out and had him executed (2 Samuel 18:13).

Joab doesn't fear David. He feels his job is to protect the king, even from himself. He takes three javelins and thrusts them into the prince's heart. His ten amor-bearers follow suit, and the short war is over (2 Samuel 18:14–15).

Second Samuel 18:9–18 records the loss of David's third son, and the completion of God's curse. As God promised, the sons of David's house have brought violence and evil (2 Samuel 12:10–12). Absalom and his army are fighting against David, but David has told his men to be kind to his son. Joab, David's long-time general, disagrees. He finds Absalom in a vulnerable situation and kills him. David's mourning over Absalom will earn him a scolding from Joab (2 Samuel 19:1–8).

In 2 Samuel 18, the rebellion ends. Absalom has built a following and revolted against David (2 Samuel 15; 17). His army is no match for David's seasoned warriors or the dangerous terrain on which the battle is fought. Absalom is pursued and killed despite David's order that he be spared. When David hears of this, he falls into grief. Joab tells David to stop disrespecting his people's sacrifice (2 Samuel 19:1–8). David leads his people back to Jerusalem and starts to repair the broken kingdom (2 Samuel 19:9–43).

Second Samuel 18 marks the fulfillment of God's curses against David. The violence and betrayal God promised David (2 Samuel 12:10–12) because of his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11) culminate in Absalom's attempt to kill his father and take the throne (2 Samuel 15—17). David's generals make quick work of Absalom's army. Joab kills Absalom against David's direct order. David will attempt to repair the fractured kingdom, starting with forgiving his enemies (2 Samuel 19:9–43). The rift never fully heals, however, and the nation splits permanently after Solomon dies (2 Chronicles 10).