TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
And the man H376 said H559 unto Joab H3097, Though H3863 I should receive H8254 a thousand H505 shekels of silver H3701 in mine hand H3709, yet would I not put forth H7971 mine hand H3027 against the king's H4428 son H1121: for in our hearing H241 the king H4428 charged H6680 thee and Abishai H52 and Ittai H863, saying H559, Beware H8104 that none touch the young man H5288 Absalom H53.
Complete Jewish Bible
The man replied to Yo'av, "Even if I were to get a thousand pieces of silver, I still wouldn't raise my hand against the son of the king! After all, while we were listening, the king ordered you, Avishai and Ittai, 'Be careful that no one touches young Avshalom.'
Berean Standard Bible
The man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels of silver were weighed out into my hands, I would not raise my hand against the son of the king. For we heard the king command you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’
American Standard Version
And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, yet would I not put forth my 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.
World English Bible Messianic
The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then the man saide vnto Ioab, Though I should receiue a thousande shekels of siluer in mine hande, yet woulde I not lay mine hande vpon the Kings sonne: for in our hearing the King charged thee, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Beware, least any touche the yong man Absalom.
Young's Literal Translation
And the man saith unto Joab, `Yea, though I am weighing on my hand a thousand silverlings, I do not put forth my hand unto the son of the king; for in our ears hath the king charged thee, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Observe ye who is against the youth--against Absalom;
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 8,491 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Samuel 18 verses 9–18
9 ¶ And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12 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.
13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.
14 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.
15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.
Here is Absalom quite at a loss, at his wit's end first, and then at his life's end. He that began the fight, big with the expectation of triumphing over David himself, with whom, if he had had him in his power, he would not have dealt gently, is now in the greatest consternation, when he meets the servants of David, Sa2 18:9. Though they were forbidden to meddle with him, he durst not look them in the face; but, finding they were near him, he clapped spurs to his mule and made the best of his way, through thick and thin, and so rode headlong upon his own destruction. Thus he that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit, and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare, Jer 48:44. David is inclined to spare him, but divine justice passes sentence upon him as a traitor, and sees it executed - that he hang by the neck, be caught alive, be embowelled, and his body dispose of disgracefully.
I. He is hanged by the neck. Riding furiously, neck or nothing, under the thick boughs of a great oak which hung low and had never been cropped, either the twisted branches, or some one forked bough of the oak, caught hold of his head, either by his neck, or, as some think, by his long hair, which had been so much his pride, and was now justly made a halter for him, and there he hung, so astonished that he could not use his hands to help himself or so entangled that his hands could not help him, but the more he struggled the more he was embarrassed. This set him up for a fair mark to the servants of David, and he had the terror and shame of seeing himself thus exposed, while he could do nothing for his own relief, neither fight nor fly. Observe concerning this, 1. That his mule went away from under him, as if glad to get clear of such a burden, and resign it to the ignominious tree. Thus the whole creation groans under the burden of man's corruption, but shall shortly be delivered from its load, Rom 8:21, Rom 8:22. 2. The he hung between heaven and earth, as unworthy of either, as abandoned of both; earth would not keep him, heaven would not take him, hell therefore opens her mouth to receive him. 3. That this was a very surprising unusual thing. It was fit that it should be so, his crime being so monstrous: if, in his flight, his mule had thrown him, and left him half-dead upon the ground, till the servants of David had come up and dispatched him, the same thing would have been done as effectually; but that would have been too common a fate for so uncommon a criminal. God will here, as in the case of those other rebels, Dathan and Abiram, create a new thing, that it may be understood how much this man has provoked the Lord, Num 16:29, Num 16:30. Absalom is here hung up, in terrorem - to frighten children from disobedience to their parents. See Pro 30:17.
II. He is caught alive by one of the servants of David, who goes directly and tells Joab in what posture he found that archrebel, Sa2 18:10. Thus was he set up for a spectacle, as well as a mark, that the righteous might see him and laugh at him (Psa 52:6), while he had this further vexation in his breast, that of all the friends he had courted and confided in, and thought he had sure in his interest, though he hung long enough to have been relieved, yet he had none at hand to disentangle him. Joab chides the man for not dispatching him (Sa2 18:11), telling him, if he had given that bold stroke, he would have rewarded him with ten half-crowns and a girdle, that is, a captain's commission, which perhaps was signified by the delivery of a belt or girdle; see Isa 22:21. But the man, though zealous enough against Absalom, justified himself in not doing it: "Dispatch him!" says he, "not for all the world: it would have cost my head: and thou thyself wast witness to the king's charge concerning him (Sa2 18:12), and, for all thy talk, wouldst have been my prosecutor if I had done it," Sa2 18:13. Those that love the treason hate the traitor. Joab could not deny this, nor blame the man for his caution, and therefore makes him no answer, but breaks off the discourse, under colour of haste (Sa2 18:14): I may not tarry thus with thee. Superiors should consider a reproof before they give it, lest they be ashamed of it afterwards, and find themselves unable to make it good.
III. He is (as I may say) embowelled and quartered, as traitors are, so pitifully mangled is he as he hangs there, and receives his death in such a manner as to see all its terrors and feel all its pain. 1. Joab throws three darts into his body, which put him, no doubt, to exquisite torment, while he is yet alive in the midst of the oak, Sa2 18:14. I know not whether Joab can be justified in this direct disobedience to the command of his sovereign; was this to deal gently with the young man? Would David have suffered him to do it if he had been upon the spot? Yet this may be said for him, that, while he broke the order of a too indulgent father, he did real service both to his king and country, and would have endangered welfare of both if he had not done it. Salus populi suprema lex - The safety of the people is the supreme law. 2. Joab's young men, ten of them, smite him, before he is dispatched, Sa2 18:15. They surrounded him, made a ring about him in triumph, and then smote him and slew him. So let all they enemies perish, O Lord! Joab hereupon sounds a retreat, Sa2 18:16. The danger is over, now that Absalom is slain; the people will soon return to their allegiance to David, and therefore no more blood shall be spilt; no prisoners are taken, to be tried as traitors and made examples; let every man return to his tent; they are all the king's subjects, all his good subjects again.
IV. His body is disposed of disgracefully (Sa2 18:17, Sa2 18:18): They cast it into a great pit in the wood; they would not bring it to his father (for that circumstance would but have added to his grief), nor would they preserve it to be buried, according to his order, but threw it into the next pit with indignation. Now where is the beauty he had been so proud of and for which he had been so much admired? Where are his aspiring projects, and the castles he had built in the air? His thoughts perish, and he with them. And, to signify how heavy his iniquity lay upon his bones, as the prophet speaks (Eze 32:27), they raised a great heap of stones upon him, to be a monument of his villany, and to signify that he ought to have been stoned as a rebellious son, Deu 21:21. Travelers say that the place is taken note of to this day, and that it is common for passengers to throw a stone to this heap, with words to this purport: Cursed be the memory of rebellious Absalom, and cursed for ever be all wicked children that rise up in rebellion against their parents. To aggravate the ignominy of Absalom's burial, the historian takes notice of a pillar he had erected in the valley of Kidron, near Jerusalem, to be a monument for himself, and keep his name in remembrance (Sa2 18:18), at the foot of which, it is probable, he designed to be buried. What foolish insignificant projects do proud men fill their heads with! And what care do many people take about the disposal of their bodies, when they are dead, that have no care at all what shall become of their precious souls! Absalom had three sons (Sa2 14:27), but, it seems, now he had none; God had taken them away by death; and justly is a rebellious son written childless. To make up the want, he erects this pillar for a memorial; yet in this also Providence crosses him, and a rude heap of stones shall be his monument, instead of this marble pillar. Thus those that exalt themselves shall be abased. His care was to have his name kept in remembrance, and it is so, to his everlasting dishonour. He could not be content in the obscurity of the rest of David's sons, of whom nothing is recorded but their names, but would be famous, and is therefore justly made for ever infamous. The pillar shall bear his name, but not to his credit; it was designed for Absalom's glory, but proved Absalom's folly.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 9–18. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 2 Samuel 18:12 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
2 Samuel 18:12 captures a pivotal moment during Absalom's rebellion, showcasing the remarkable integrity of an unnamed soldier who steadfastly refuses Joab's implicit invitation to harm Absalom, even when offered an enormous sum of silver. His refusal is rooted in absolute obedience to King David's explicit command, publicly issued to his chief commanders—Joab, Abishai, and Ittai—to "beware that none touch the young man Absalom." This verse powerfully contrasts the soldier's principled loyalty with the impending disobedience of Joab, setting the stage for Absalom's tragic demise and David's profound grief.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices that deepen its meaning and impact. Contrast is paramount, juxtaposing the unnamed soldier's unwavering integrity and steadfast obedience to the king's command with Joab's calculated disregard for it. This stark opposition sets the stage for the tragic outcome of Absalom's death and David's subsequent lament. There is a strong element of irony in David's fervent desire to spare his rebellious son, a desire that is ultimately thwarted by his most powerful and ostensibly loyal general, Joab, who acts in what he perceives to be the king's best interest but in direct defiance of his express command. The soldier's speech also functions as a powerful form of foreshadowing, hinting at the inevitable conflict between David's paternal love and Joab's pragmatic ruthlessness, a conflict that will culminate in Absalom's death and David's profound grief. The precise repetition of David's command within the soldier's speech serves as a potent rhetorical emphasis, underscoring the clarity, public nature, and undeniable authority of the king's original order.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the tension between human authority and divine principles, as well as the personal cost of unwavering integrity. The soldier's resolute refusal to act against David's clear command, even in the face of immense personal gain, highlights the paramount importance of obedience to legitimate authority, particularly when that authority reflects a higher moral or divine order. It speaks powerfully to the necessity of a clear conscience and the conviction to uphold one's word and duty, even when confronted with pressure, temptation, or the perceived "greater good." David's command, born of deep paternal love and a desire for mercy, also imperfectly mirrors God's own profound patience and enduring mercy towards His rebellious children, even as the consequences for sin remain. This passage challenges believers to consider the nature of their own obedience and the depth of their commitment to God's revealed will.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The unnamed soldier in 2 Samuel 18:12 stands as a powerful archetype of integrity and principled obedience. In a world that often prioritizes expediency, personal gain, or popular opinion above all else, his steadfast refusal to compromise his conscience, even for "a thousand shekels of silver," challenges us to deeply examine our own values and convictions. Are we truly willing to stand firm on what is right, even when such a stand is unpopular, inconvenient, or carries a significant personal cost? This narrative vividly reminds us that true loyalty is not merely to a person, but to the principles they embody and the commands they issue, especially when those commands align with God's revealed will. For believers, this translates into a profound call for unwavering obedience to God's Word, even when its demands seem counter-intuitive, difficult, or conflict with worldly wisdom and personal desires. It also speaks to the profound responsibility of leadership: to issue clear, righteous commands that reflect divine principles, and for those under authority to uphold them, recognizing the spiritual weight and moral implications of every instruction.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was David so insistent on sparing Absalom, despite his rebellion?
Answer: David's profound insistence on sparing Absalom stemmed primarily from deep paternal love. Despite Absalom's treasonous actions, which caused immense pain, division, and upheaval in the kingdom, David viewed him first and foremost as his son. This reflects a profound human desire for reconciliation and the preservation of family bonds, even in the face of egregious betrayal. Furthermore, David may have harbored a hope for Absalom's repentance or sought to avoid the further shedding of royal blood, which could potentially destabilize his kingdom and invite further civil strife. His explicit command to "deal gently with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 18:5) underscores this complex mixture of personal affection, kingly mercy, and political prudence.
What was the significance of "a thousand shekels of silver" in this context?
Answer: "A thousand shekels of silver" was an extraordinarily large and significant sum in biblical times, representing a fortune that could drastically change a person's life and secure their future. It was equivalent to many years' wages for a common laborer or soldier, highlighting the immense temptation that the unnamed soldier courageously resisted. The mention of such a substantial potential reward emphasizes the profound depth of the soldier's integrity and his unwavering commitment to King David's command. It powerfully demonstrates that his moral compass and loyalty were not for sale, regardless of the staggering price offered, underscoring the absolute nature of his principled stand.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The poignant narrative of 2 Samuel 18:12, with King David's heartfelt command to spare his rebellious son, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. David's profound paternal love for Absalom, despite Absalom's treachery and the chaos he wrought, imperfectly foreshadows God the Father's boundless and unconditional love for humanity. We, like Absalom, are rebellious and alienated by sin (Romans 5:8), yet God did not spare us from the consequences of our rebellion by avoiding judgment, but by providing the ultimate means of reconciliation through His Son. While David desired to save his son from physical death, God, in His infinite wisdom and love, sent His own Son, Jesus, to willingly embrace death—not as a consequence of His own rebellion, but as a perfect, substitutionary sacrifice for ours (John 3:16). The unnamed soldier's perfect obedience to David's command, even at great personal cost, points to Christ's perfect and unwavering obedience to the Father's will, an obedience that led Him to the cross itself (Philippians 2:8). Unlike Absalom, who was caught in his own rebellion and met his end, Christ, the true "King's Son," willingly allowed Himself to be "touched" by the hands of sinful humanity, not to be destroyed by sin, but to destroy its power and bring eternal life to all who believe (Hebrews 2:14-15). In Christ, we witness the Father's divine command fulfilled not by avoiding the "touch" of death, but by conquering it through resurrection, offering mercy, forgiveness, and new life that far surpasses David's deepest desire for his son.