2 Samuel 18:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained them.

NIV: Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them.

NASB: Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people.

CSB: Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab restrained them.

NLT: Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel.

KJV: And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

NKJV: So Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel. For Joab held back the people.

Absalom spent more time building his rebellion than he did rebelling. For four years, he met people at the gates of Jerusalem and manipulated them into thinking he would be a better king for them than David (2 Samuel 15:1–6). When he had enough support, he marched on Jerusalem, gathered an army, and hunted his father (2 Samuel 15:13–14; 16:1; 17:11–14, 24–26). The battle lasts one day and results in massive casualties (2 Samuel 18:7). Now, Absalom is dead, stabbed in the heart by David's military commander Joab (2 Samuel 18:14). This is despite David's command to treat Absalom gently (2 Samuel 18:5).

When Absalom entered Jerusalem, he asked his counselor Ahithophel what he should do. Ahithophel wanted Absalom to be king, but he didn't want a civil war. He asked to take available men immediately to track David, kill him, and bring his servants back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 17:1–4). This plan was disrupted when David's spy Hushai convinced Absalom to wait, gather a larger army, and lead the charge (2 Samuel 17:11–13).

Joab's military mind arrives at the same conclusion as Ahithophel: kill the enemy leader at the first opportunity (2 Samuel 18:14). respects Ahithophel's plan. Joab kills Absalom the first chance he gets (2 Samuel 18:14). With that act, the rebellion is over. Joab "blew" the trumpet, described using the same Hebrew root word used when he "thrust" the javelins into Absalom's heart (2 Samuel 18:14). Soldiers on both sides can withdraw. There's nothing more to fight for.

The war is won but Joab has a battle yet to fight. When David learns Absalom is dead, the king falls into great despair. Joab confronts him, telling him that by mourning his enemy in such a manner, he is dishonoring the sacrifices of his own soldiers. David accepts Joab's chastisement, encourages his troops, and starts the long work of rebuilding peace (2 Samuel 19:1–8).

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).