2 Samuel 18:11 kjv
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.
2 Samuel 18:11 nkjv
So Joab said to the man who told him, "You just saw him! And why did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a belt."
2 Samuel 18:11 niv
Joab said to the man who had told him this, "What! You saw him? Why didn't you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warrior's belt."
2 Samuel 18:11 esv
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."
2 Samuel 18:11 nlt
"What?" Joab demanded. "You saw him there and didn't kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero's belt!"
2 Samuel 18 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 3:27 | When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate...and killed him... | Joab's previous ruthless act |
| 2 Sam 20:10 | But Amasa did not observe the sword in Joab’s hand...Joab struck him with it...killed him. | Joab's continued ruthlessness |
| 1 Kgs 2:5-6 | David instructs Solomon to deal with Joab's bloodguilt. | Joab's character as a killer |
| 2 Sam 18:5 | Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom. | David's command Joab ignored |
| 2 Sam 18:12 | The man said to Joab, "Even if I felt in my hand a thousand shekels of silver..." | Man's fear of king's command |
| Prov 17:11 | An evil man seeks only rebellion... | Absalom's action characterized as rebellion |
| Rom 13:2 | Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed... | Rebellion against authority |
| Ruth 2:12 | The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you... | Divine promise of reward |
| Matt 10:41-42 | whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water...he will by no means lose his reward. | Reward for acts of service |
| Heb 11:6 | ...for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. | God as a rewarder of faith |
| Exo 20:13 | "You shall not murder." | The Sixth Commandment |
| Num 35:31 | "You shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer..." | Life's value against payment |
| Deut 7:2 | ...you shall utterly destroy them. Make no covenant with them... | Command to destroy enemies (specific context) |
| Judg 14:12-13 | Samson offers 30 linen garments and 30 changes of clothes as a wager. | Contextual value of goods/rewards |
| Zech 11:12 | I said to them, "If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them." And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. | Value of silver for a life/wages |
| Gen 23:16 | Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver... | Shekel as currency/weight, significant value |
| Isa 11:5 | Righteousness shall be the belt of his loins, and faithfulness the belt of his waist. | Symbolic use of belt (righteousness) |
| Eph 6:14 | Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth... | Spiritual symbolism of belt |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. | Condemnation of rebellion |
| Jude 1:11 | Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. | Biblical examples of rebellion punished |
| 2 Sam 17:1-4 | Ahithophel's counsel to strike down David quickly. | Advice for decisive action against a king |
| Psa 58:11 | ...truly there is a reward for the righteous; truly there is a God who judges on earth. | Reward and divine judgment |
2 Samuel 18 verses
2 Samuel 18 11 Meaning
2 Samuel 18:11 reveals Joab's indignant questioning of his informant concerning Absalom's position. He asserts that if the man had truly witnessed Absalom vulnerable, he should have immediately killed him. Joab expresses his readiness to reward such an act with ten shekels of silver and a soldier's belt, highlighting his conviction that eliminating the rebellious prince was a priority and a deserving action. The verse underscores Joab's pragmatic, results-oriented nature and his view of necessary military action against a significant threat to the kingdom, contrasting sharply with King David's merciful command.
2 Samuel 18 11 Context
2 Samuel 18:11 is situated during Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Prior to this verse, King David had explicitly commanded his commanders, including Joab, to "deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Sam 18:5). Despite this command, Absalom becomes entangled in a terebinth tree by his hair during the battle, presenting a clear opportunity for his capture or death. An unnamed man witnesses Absalom's precarious situation and reports it to Joab. This verse captures Joab's sharp reaction to the man's inaction, revealing Joab's pragmatic leadership, his assessment of military necessity over personal sentiment, and his readiness to act decisively against a clear threat to David's throne and the stability of the kingdom. The historical context shows Absalom as a powerful usurper who had gained the support of much of Israel, making his elimination a strategic imperative from a military perspective.
2 Samuel 18 11 Word analysis
- Then Joab said: Indicates Joab's direct, assertive, and proactive nature. He takes initiative and leadership, even against the king's expressed wishes when he deems it necessary for the kingdom.
- to the man who had told him: Specifies the recipient of Joab's strong rebuke and proposal. This man is an unnamed messenger, indicating a common soldier or observer.
- “Indeed, if you saw him": The Hebrew "hen" (הֵן) emphasizes an interjection of surprise or dismay. Joab expresses disbelief or challenge to the man's report, implying a sense of missed opportunity.
- "why did you not strike him down": The Hebrew "nakah" (נָכָה) implies smiting, hitting, or striking to kill. This is Joab's immediate, logical question from a military commander's viewpoint, questioning the man's failure to take the decisive action expected in warfare.
- "there to the ground?": Implies a definitive, final action of killing, ensuring Absalom would no longer be a threat, emphasizing a complete and total elimination of the rebellion's leader.
- "I would have given you": Joab's personal promise, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring the rebellion's end and his readiness to reward valor, highlighting his influence and material resources as a commander.
- "ten shekels of silver": In Hebrew, "aseret sheqel kesef" (עֲשֶׂרֶת כֶּסֶף שֶׁקֶל). A "shekel" (שֶׁקֶל) was a unit of weight and common currency in ancient Israel. Ten shekels was a significant sum, perhaps several months' wages for a laborer, showing the value Joab placed on Absalom's elimination. This was a substantial, tangible reward.
- "and a belt!": The Hebrew "ve-chagorah" (וְחֲגוֹרָה). A belt or girdle was an essential part of a soldier's equipment, used to hold weapons (like a sword or dagger). A military belt could be a valuable possession or a symbol of honor and martial achievement, implying both a practical tool and a mark of respect from a military commander.
2 Samuel 18 11 Bonus section
The man's reluctance, despite the potential reward, speaks volumes about the perceived power of a direct royal command (2 Sam 18:5, 12). He feared King David's wrath more than he coveted Joab's promise of riches. This highlights the weight of the king's word and the potential for a personal oath to outweigh material gain in ancient Israelite society, especially when concerning the sovereign's wishes. Joab's scornful response to this fear ("I would not have weighed my life against yours") further emphasizes his belief that such a direct command to kill the king's son should not have been obeyed when the kingdom's security was at stake. This instance provides a case study of clashing loyalties and priorities within a chain of command, demonstrating how military expediency can override personal or sentimental dictates in moments of crisis for certain individuals.
2 Samuel 18 11 Commentary
Joab's interrogation in 2 Samuel 18:11 cuts directly to the core of his pragmatic, ruthless approach to leadership and warfare. Despite King David's plea for mercy towards Absalom, Joab, the hardened general, prioritizes the immediate and complete eradication of the rebellion. His indignation ("Indeed, if you saw him...") stems from a strategic mindset that cannot comprehend a missed opportunity to neutralize the primary threat. The offer of ten shekels of silver and a belt reveals the significant value Joab placed on this decisive action. The financial reward would have been considerable for an ordinary soldier, and a military belt symbolized not only utility but also potentially recognition and honor from a commander of Joab's standing. This verse succinctly showcases the tension between David's fatherly anguish and Joab's unyielding commitment to the stability of the kingdom, illustrating the contrasting ethical frameworks at play within David's closest circle during a pivotal moment. Joab's loyalty was to the throne and the strategic defeat of its enemies, even if it meant disregarding the king's emotional commands.