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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Samuel 18:9–18. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
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Summary
This verse captures a pivotal moment during Absalom's rebellion, as an unnamed soldier explains to Joab why he refused to strike down Absalom, despite Joab's implied reward. The soldier's reasoning reveals a profound understanding of King David's absolute authority, his reputation for uncovering all truth, and the severe, life-threatening consequences of disobeying a direct royal command, particularly one concerning David's beloved son. His integrity and shrewd assessment of the political landscape stand in stark contrast to Joab's more pragmatic and ultimately disobedient approach, highlighting the soldier's unwavering loyalty to the ultimate sovereign.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated within the climactic battle of Absalom's rebellion, a period of profound national crisis for Israel. Prior to the engagement, King David, deeply distressed by the prospect of fighting his own son, issued a clear and emotional command to his generals, including Joab, to "deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom". Absalom, caught by his hair in an oak tree, was discovered by one of David's men, who reported his predicament to Joab. In the preceding verses of 2 Samuel 18, Joab expresses frustration that the soldier did not kill Absalom, implying a significant reward for such an act. The soldier's reply in this verse serves as his justification for refusing Joab's implied directive, highlighting his fear of the king's wrath and his conviction that David would inevitably uncover the truth. Immediately following this exchange, Joab himself, disregarding David's explicit command, takes matters into his own hands and "took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom". This sequence of events underscores the tension between David's personal will and Joab's military pragmatism.
Historical & Cultural Context
The backdrop is a devastating civil war, where Absalom, David's son, has usurped the throne, forcing David to flee Jerusalem. This rebellion represents a profound challenge to David's divinely appointed kingship and the stability of Israel. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, a king's word was law, and disobedience, especially in matters of life and death or succession, could carry the gravest penalties. David, as king, held ultimate authority over his military commanders, including Joab, despite Joab's significant power and influence. The soldier's statement reflects a cultural understanding of the king's pervasive intelligence network and the belief that no secret could long remain hidden from the monarch's discerning eye. This was not necessarily due to supernatural ability, but rather the extensive network of informants, spies, and loyalists that a powerful king would command, coupled with the cultural expectation that a king's authority was absolute and his judgment inescapable. Furthermore, the strong familial bonds, even amidst political strife, underscore the emotional weight of David's command regarding his son, making its violation all the more perilous.
Key Themes
The passage powerfully articulates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Obedience to Authority, specifically the tension between a direct superior's command (Joab's implied order to kill Absalom) and the ultimate authority's explicit will (King David's command to spare him). The soldier's choice underscores the importance of discerning the highest authority and prioritizing loyalty to the sovereign. Secondly, the theme of Consequences of Disobedience is central, as the soldier explicitly states his fear of having "wrought falsehood against mine own life," indicating that defying David would lead to his own demise. This fear is rooted in the king's perceived omniscience and absolute power, reinforcing the idea that "there is no matter hid from the king". Thirdly, the passage explores Integrity and Accountability. The soldier demonstrates personal integrity by refusing to commit an act he knows is contrary to the king's express will, understanding that he would be held accountable for his actions, regardless of who issued the immediate instruction. Finally, David's Unwavering Knowledge and Discernment is emphasized, portraying him not merely as a ruler but as one with a formidable reputation for uncovering truth, a powerful deterrent against treachery and disloyalty. This reputation is further solidified by David's later actions and his profound grief over Absalom's death, which would have surely led him to investigate any direct involvement in his son's demise.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The Hebrew word שֶׁקֶר (H8267, sheqer) signifies an untruth, deceit, or a sham. In this context, the phrase "wrought falsehood against mine own life" implies that acting against David's command—killing Absalom—would not merely be a lie or a disloyal act, but an act of profound treachery that would inevitably lead to the soldier's own ruin or death. It's a strong declaration of self-preservation through adherence to a higher loyalty and moral conduct, recognizing that such an act would be fundamentally contrary to the king's expressed will and therefore a "falsehood" against his ultimate authority and the soldier's own well-being.
The word כָּחַד (H3582, kâchad), a primitive root, means "to secrete, by act or word," or "to conceal." The soldier's assertion, "for there is no matter hid from the king," speaks to David's reputation for having an extensive intelligence network, keen discernment, or even a quasi-omniscient awareness within his kingdom. It suggests that David possessed the means and the will to uncover any secret act, especially one as significant as the death of his son. This belief in the king's pervasive knowledge served as a powerful deterrent, indicating that no clandestine act of disobedience would go unpunished.
Verse Breakdown
"Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life:"
The soldier articulates his primary motivation: self-preservation rooted in integrity. He understands that to kill Absalom, directly contravening David's explicit command, would be an act of profound treachery against the king's will. Such an act, a "falsehood" or betrayal, would inevitably lead to fatal consequences for himself, implying that David's wrath would be inescapable and deadly. This reveals the soldier's shrewdness and his realistic assessment of the king's power and emotional attachment to Absalom.
"for there is no matter hid from the king,"
This clause provides the rationale for the soldier's fear. He believes that David possesses an unparalleled ability to uncover truth and expose hidden deeds. This could refer to David's intelligence network, his reputation for divine insight, or simply the inescapable nature of royal authority. The soldier is convinced that no secret act, particularly one as momentous as killing the king's son, could remain concealed from David's knowledge, ensuring that accountability would swiftly follow.
"and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against [me]."
This final clause reveals the soldier's deep understanding of Joab's character and the treacherous nature of court politics. The soldier anticipates that if he were to kill Absalom, Joab, to protect himself from David's wrath or to maintain his own standing, would deny giving the order or even actively turn against the soldier, accusing him of the deed. This demonstrates the soldier's wisdom in recognizing that Joab's offer of reward was not a guarantee of protection, and that ultimate loyalty and accountability lay with the king alone.
Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices that enrich its meaning and characterization. Irony is powerfully evident in the contrast between the soldier's principled refusal to kill Absalom due to his loyalty to David, and Joab's subsequent disregard for David's command by personally slaying Absalom. The soldier's wisdom in foreseeing the king's discovery and Joab's potential betrayal stands in stark contrast to Joab's impulsive and pragmatic action. There is also a strong element of Characterization at play, revealing the unnamed soldier as a man of integrity, foresight, and unwavering loyalty to the ultimate authority, while simultaneously highlighting Joab's ruthlessness and willingness to defy the king for what he perceives as military necessity. The soldier's statement, "there is no matter hid from the king," functions as Hyperbole to emphasize David's formidable reputation for discernment and the pervasive reach of his authority, creating a powerful deterrent that shaped the soldier's decision. Finally, the soldier's fear of "wrought falsehood against mine own life" serves as a form of Foreshadowing, as Joab's actions do eventually lead to significant tension and consequences with David, albeit not immediately fatal for Joab himself due to his powerful position and David's complex relationship with him.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The soldier's profound conviction that "there is no matter hid from the king" resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of God's omniscience and omnipresence. Just as the earthly king David was perceived to have an all-encompassing awareness, the Scriptures consistently affirm that the King of the universe, God, truly knows all things, sees all deeds, and from His presence, nothing can be concealed. This theological truth underscores human accountability before a holy God, reminding us that our actions, thoughts, and intentions are always laid bare before Him. The soldier's fear of consequences from an earthly monarch, though rational, pales in comparison to the ultimate accountability we have to the divine King, who judges with perfect righteousness and whose knowledge is not merely a reputation but an inherent attribute of His being.
Reflection and Application
The soldier's principled stand in 2 Samuel 18:13 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating complex moral and ethical dilemmas. His refusal to compromise his loyalty to King David, even under pressure from a powerful superior like Joab and the allure of a reward, serves as a powerful example of integrity and discerning true authority. In our lives, we often face conflicting loyalties—to family, friends, employers, or societal norms—that can challenge our obedience to God's higher commands. This passage reminds us that our ultimate allegiance must be to God, whose word is supreme and from whom nothing is hidden. The soldier's fear of "wrought falsehood against mine own life" should stir within us a holy reverence for God's holiness and justice, motivating us to live with integrity, knowing that every deed, whether public or private, is known to Him. It calls us to consider the long-term consequences of our actions, prioritizing faithfulness to God's revealed will over immediate gain, human approval, or the avoidance of temporary discomfort. Our eternal well-being depends on our fidelity to the ultimate King.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the soldier so afraid of David's wrath, even more than Joab's displeasure or a potential reward?
The soldier's fear stemmed from a clear understanding of David's absolute authority as king and his formidable reputation for discerning truth. David had issued a direct, personal command to "deal gently...with Absalom", a command that superseded any implied order or reward from Joab. The soldier knew that defying the king's direct word, especially concerning his beloved son, would be an act of profound treachery ("wrought falsehood against mine own life") with severe, likely fatal, consequences. Furthermore, the soldier shrewdly anticipated that Joab, a pragmatic and self-serving commander, would likely disavow any involvement or even turn against him if David discovered the truth, leaving the soldier completely exposed to the king's wrath. His fear was rooted in a realistic assessment of the power dynamics and the inescapable nature of royal justice in that era.
Did Joab's subsequent killing of Absalom contradict the soldier's reasoning?
Joab's action did not contradict the soldier's reasoning but rather highlighted Joab's willingness to defy David's direct command for what he perceived as strategic military necessity, a decision that would indeed cause him significant trouble with David later. The soldier's fear that "there is no matter hid from the king" was justified, as David's profound grief over Absalom's death (recorded in 2 Samuel 18:33) clearly showed his awareness of what had transpired. While Joab, due to his powerful position and influence, was not immediately executed for his disobedience, his actions strained his relationship with David and ultimately contributed to his downfall later in David's reign (1 Kings 2:28-34). The soldier's principled stand and foresight proved wise, as he avoided direct culpability in an act that deeply grieved the king and preserved his own life.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The soldier's profound conviction that "there is no matter hid from the king" and his fear of "wrought falsehood against mine own life" finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David, an earthly king, possessed a reputation for discerning truth, Christ is the King of kings, whose knowledge is truly infinite and from whom nothing is hidden (Hebrews 4:13). He is the one who "knows what is in man" (john 2:25) and before whom every knee will one day bow (philippians 2:10). The soldier's loyalty to David, though commendable, points to the perfect and unwavering loyalty we owe to Christ, our divine King, who has not only commanded us but has also perfectly obeyed the Father's will even to death on a cross (philippians 2:8). Furthermore, David's deep love for his rebellious son, Absalom, foreshadows God's incomprehensible love for humanity, rebellious and lost in sin. Just as David desired to spare Absalom, God, in His infinite love, did not spare His own Son, Jesus, but "gave him up for us all" (romans 8:32). Christ, the true Lamb of God, took upon Himself the ultimate "falsehood" of humanity's sin, bearing its fatal consequences so that those who believe in Him might not perish but have eternal life (john 1:29; john 3:16). Thus, the soldier's wisdom in avoiding a fatal falsehood against an earthly king ultimately points to the greater wisdom of trusting in Christ, who has secured eternal life by overcoming the ultimate falsehood of sin against the divine King.