King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 18:12 Mean?

2 Samuel 18:12 in the King James Version says “And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. receive: Heb. weigh upon mine hand Beware: Heb. Beware whosoever ye be of, etc

2 Samuel 18:12 · KJV


Context

10

And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

11

And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.

12

And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. receive: Heb. weigh upon mine hand Beware: Heb. Beware whosoever ye be of, etc

13

Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.

14

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. with: Heb. before thee midst: Heb. heart


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Death, emphasizing tragedy of rebellion. Absalom's death despite David's orders demonstrates the tragic consequences of rebellion against God's anointed. The graphic description of Absalom caught in oak branches suggests divine judgment. David's overwhelming grief ("O my son Absalom") reveals parental love even for rebellious children. Theological themes include the tragedy of rebellion, the reality that sin leads to death, parental love's persistence, and the danger of prioritizing family over kingdom responsibilities.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 18 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding tragedy of rebellion provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of tragedy of rebellion?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
לֵאמֹ֔ר1 of 31

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָאִישׁ֙2 of 31

And the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶל3 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יוֹאָ֔ב4 of 31

unto Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

וְל֨א5 of 31

Though

H3863

a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!

אָֽנֹכִ֜י6 of 31
H595

i

שֹׁקֵ֤ל7 of 31

I should receive

H8254

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)

עַל8 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כַּפַּי֙9 of 31

in mine hand

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

אֶ֣לֶף10 of 31

a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

כֶּ֔סֶף11 of 31

shekels of silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

לֹֽא12 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶשְׁלַ֥ח13 of 31

yet would I not put forth

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יָדִ֖י14 of 31

mine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֶל15 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֶּן16 of 31

son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ17 of 31

against the king's

H4428

a king

כִּ֣י18 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְאָזְנֵ֜ינוּ19 of 31

for in our hearing

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

צִוָּ֣ה20 of 31

charged

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ21 of 31

against the king's

H4428

a king

אֹֽ֠תְךָ22 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְאֶת23 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲבִישַׁ֤י24 of 31

thee and Abishai

H52

abishai, an israelite

וְאֶת25 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִתַּי֙26 of 31

and Ittai

H863

ittai or ithai, the name of a gittite and of an israelite

לֵאמֹ֔ר27 of 31

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שִׁמְרוּ28 of 31

Beware

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

מִ֕י29 of 31
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בַּנַּ֖עַר30 of 31

that none touch the young man

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

בְּאַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃31 of 31

Absalom

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 18:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 18:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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