2 Samuel 18:14

14 Joab said, "No longer will I wait in your presence." Then he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he [was] still alive in the oak tree.

2 Samuel 18:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:14

Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee
It is not worth while to talk with thee any longer, nor must I lose time, and neglect my opportunity; I do not desire you to go and smite him, I will go and do it myself:

and he took three darts in his hand;
or three rods, which were either all iron, or however the tops of them were iron spikes:

and thrust them through the heart of Absalom;
or through the midst of his body; for if he had thrust through his heart, properly speaking, he must have died instantly, whereas he seems to have lived after this:

while he [was] yet alive;
Joab found him alive when he came to him, and so he was when he thrust his darts through him; and so he was afterward; for the words may be rendered, "being yet alive", even after the darts were fixed in him, and even so deeply as to pierce through his body:

in the midst,
or "heart",

of the oak;
into which the darts penetrated.

2 Samuel 18:14 In-Context

12 The man said to Joab, "{Even if I felt the weight} of a thousand pieces of silver in my palms, I would not have sent my hand against the son of the king, for in our ears the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, 'Whoever you may be, protect the young man Absalom.'

13 If I had dealt treacherously against his life, and [there is] not any matter hidden from the king, {you would have presented yourself aloof}."

14 Joab said, "No longer will I wait in your presence." Then he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he [was] still alive in the oak tree.

15 Then ten of the young men who bore the weapons of Joab surrounded [him] and struck and killed Absalom.

16 Then Joab blew on the trumpet and the troops returned from pursuing after Israel, for Joab kept back the troops.