2 Samuel 18:14 - Printer Friendly

What does 2 Samuel 18:14 mean?

ESV: Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you." And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak.

NIV: Joab said, "I’m not going to wait like this for you." So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree.

NASB: Then Joab said, 'I will not waste time here with you.' So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the midst of the oak.

CSB: Joab said, "I’m not going to waste time with you!" He then took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s chest. While Absalom was still alive in the oak tree,

NLT: Enough of this nonsense,' Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom’s heart as he dangled, still alive, in the great tree.

KJV: Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

NKJV: Then Joab said, “I cannot linger with you.” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree.

Verse Commentary:

In the middle of a fierce battle against a larger army in extremely dangerous terrain, Joab has heard frustrating news. A soldier deliberately passed up a perfect opportunity to kill the leader of the enemy forces. Joab is furious because the soldier standing in front of him didn't pick up a spear and finish the traitor when he had the chance (2 Samuel 18:6–10).

This all started because David's son Absalom decided he wanted to be king (2 Samuel 15:1–6). He manipulated the people—and Joab, at one point (2 Samuel 14:28–33)—gathered an army, and drove his father out of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:13–14). In the ensuing battle, thousands have died (2 Samuel 18:6–8). The soldier was obeying David's order to treat Absalom gently. The soldier is more than obedient. He's also smart enough to know that Joab probably would have let David execute the common soldier for laying his hand on a prince (2 Samuel 18:11–13). This causes Joab to snap, either in guilt or simply impatience, and shut down the conversation.

Unlike the unnamed soldier, Joab has a privileged relationship with the king. He's David's nephew (1 Chronicles 2:16). He's been David's military commander for decades. He's committed murder when he believed David was wrong (2 Samuel 3:27), and he's been complicit in David's greatest sin (2 Samuel 11:14–17). He's also partially responsible for David's current vulnerability. He never followed Absalom, but he did convince David to let him return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:1–24) and reconcile with him (2 Samuel 14:33).

Joab's more interested in what David needs than what David wants. David needs Absalom dead. So Joab storms away from the obedient soldier and spears the traitor through the heart. He uses something called s󠄐ebātim, probably a short throwable spear or javelin. In fact, he uses three—probably not all at once, but one after the other, as if emphasizing his intent to kill Absalom no matter what David might have commanded.

His men finish the job, and Joab blows the trumpet to declare the end of the war (2 Samuel 18:15–16). When David hears Absalom is dead and collapses in grief, Joab tells David:

"You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased." -–2 Samuel 19:5–6

As the soldier says, his life is nothing in David's eyes compared to the life of his son.

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).

Chapter Summary:

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).

Chapter Context:

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).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 4/18/2026 4:48:52 AM