2 Samuel 18:12

12 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 ¹in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake protect the young man Absalom. ’

2 Samuel 18:12 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:12

And the man said unto Joab
Disdaining his proposal:

though I should receive a thousand [shekels] of silver in mine hand;
or such a sum should be offered to me; the Arabic version is a million;

[yet] would I not put forth my hand against the king's son;
to smite him, and slay him:

for in our hearing the king charged thee, and Abishai, and Ittai;
his three generals:

saying, beware that none [touch] the young man Absalom;
so as to slay him; they were charged to abstain from it themselves, and to watch and observe others, and keep them from doing it.

2 Samuel 18:12 In-Context

10 And a certain man saw it and told Joab, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak. ”

11 Joab said to the man who told him, “What, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have been glad to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt. ”

12 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. ’

13 On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life(and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof. ”

14 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.

Cross References

• 1. 18:12 ver. 5