2 Samuel 18:15

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

2 Samuel 18:15 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:15

And ten young men that bare Joab's armour
That waited upon him in the battle, to carry his armour, and supply him with it as he should have occasion; these, by his orders,

compassed about, and smote Absalom, and slew him;
they enclosed him that none might rescue him, and smote him with their spears or swords, or whatsoever armour they had, until it was a clear case that he was really dead. Joab in this disobeyed the king's order, but provided for the good of the nation, and the safety of the king. The Jews observe {m}, that measure for measure was given to Absalom; he was proud of his hair, ( 2 Samuel 14:25 2 Samuel 14:26 ) , and therefore was hanged by it, ( 2 Samuel 18:9 ) ; he lay with ten concubines of his father, ( 2 Samuel 16:21 2 Samuel 16:22 ) , and therefore was smitten with ten lances or spears by ten young men; and he stole three hearts, the heart of his father, the heart of the sanhedrim, and the heart of the men of Israel, and therefore three darts were fixed in him, ( 2 Samuel 18:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Misn. Sotah, c. 1. sect. 8.

2 Samuel 18:15 In-Context

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.

17 They took Absalom and they threw him into the large pit in the forest and raised a very great heap of stones over him. Then all of Israel fled, each to his tent.