2 Samuel 18:14

12 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.’

13 If I had jeopardized my own life —and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.”

But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.

15 And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

16 Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab had restrained them.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.
KJV
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.
WEB
Then Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this with you.” He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the middle of the oak.
ASV
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.
DARBY
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three spears in his hand, and thrust them into Absalom's body, while he was yet alive in the midst of the terebinth.
BLB
And Joab said, “Not thus will I wait to your face.” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was [still] alive in the heart of the oak tree.
ÅB
Da sa Joab: Jeg kan ikke stå her med deg og hefte meg bort. Og han tok tre kastespyd i sin hånd og støtte dem i Absaloms hjerte, mens han enda hang levende midt i terebinten.
OTB
Da sa Joab: "Jeg vil ikke kaste bort tid med deg." Så tok han tre spyd i hånden og stakk dem i hjertet på Absalom mens han fortsatt var i live midt i eiken.
B1930
Da sa Joab: Jeg kan ikke stå her med dig og hefte mig bort. Og han tok tre kastespyd i sin hånd og støtte dem i Absaloms hjerte, mens han ennu hang levende midt i terebinten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 18:5

    Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 12:40

    For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 14:30

    Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

    Read in context
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

    Read in context
  • Judges 4:21

    But as he lay sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife Jael took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She drove the peg through his temple and into the ground, and he died.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 45:5

    Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.

    Read in context
  • Judges 5:26

    She reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera and crushed his skull; she shattered and pierced his temple.

    Read in context
  • Judges 5:31

    So may all your enemies perish, O LORD! But may those who love You shine like the sun at its brightest.” And the land had rest for forty years.

    Read in context