2 Samuel 18 12

2 Samuel 18:12 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 18:12 nkjv

But the man said to Joab, "Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king's son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, 'Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!'

2 Samuel 18:12 niv

But the man replied, "Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king's son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, 'Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.'

2 Samuel 18:12 esv

But the man said to Joab, "Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not reach out my hand against the king's son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake protect the young man Absalom.'

2 Samuel 18:12 nlt

"I would not kill the king's son for even a thousand pieces of silver, " the man replied to Joab. "We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake, please spare young Absalom.'

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 12 Meaning

The verse conveys the profound ethical dilemma faced by one of King David's soldiers. Despite the immense temptation of a large reward, the soldier declares he would not harm Absalom because King David had given an explicit command to protect his son, a command heard by the soldier himself and other military leaders. It highlights the soldier's unwavering obedience to the king's word over personal gain.

2 Samuel 18 12 Context

This verse is situated during Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. The battle in the forest of Ephraim is underway, with David's forces, led by Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, confronting Absalom's army. Despite Absalom's treacherous rebellion, David, driven by fatherly love, had explicitly commanded his commanders, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Sam 18:5). A soldier had just reported to Joab that he saw Absalom hanging alive in an oak tree. Joab, keen to end the rebellion swiftly, questioned why the soldier had not killed Absalom, implying he would have given a reward. The verse serves as the soldier's response, revealing his integrity and unwavering loyalty to David's direct and publicly stated command, even when faced with the temptation of immense personal wealth.

2 Samuel 18 12 Word analysis

• And the man: This refers to one of Joab's soldiers or scouts. His unnamed status emphasizes his role as a loyal subject rather than a named protagonist.
• said to Joab: The dialogue unfolds directly, highlighting the immediate tension and moral conflict between the soldier's principled stand and Joab's ruthless pragmatism.
• Though I felt the weight: The Hebrew uses "shakal" (שָׁקַל), meaning to weigh, estimate, pay. It implies a direct sensation, as if the silver were already in his hand. This phrase vividly portrays the allure of the reward.
• a thousand shekels of silver: "Eleph Keseph" (אֶלֶף כֶּסֶף). This was an enormous sum. A shekel was approximately 11-12 grams. A thousand shekels was about 25 pounds or 11.4 kg of silver, representing immense wealth and a life-changing amount, stressing the power of the temptation being resisted. It equates to the price of significant land or several slaves in ancient Israel.
• in my hand: The immediacy of the temptation, as if it were offered directly to him.
• I would not reach out my hand: Hebrew: "Lo shalakh yado" (לֹא־שָׁלַח יָדִי). This phrase means not to act violently, not to inflict harm, or not to attempt to seize or acquire something forbidden. It strongly implies avoidance of transgression. This resonates with similar phrases concerning not harming God's anointed or innocents.
• against the king's son: Hebrew: "be-ven ha-melek" (בֶּן־הַמֶּלֶךְ). Emphasizes Absalom's royal status, which makes David's command even more solemn and the potential act against him a violation of kingly authority.
• for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai: Hebrew: "kiy be-ozneynu tzivvah ha-melek etka" (כִּי בְאׇזְנֵינוּ צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ אֹתְךָ). "In our hearing" (literally 'in our ears') stresses the directness and public nature of David's command. It wasn't a private whisper, but a solemn order given to the senior commanders (including Joab) and overheard by others, binding them and, by extension, other soldiers. "Commanded" (Tzavah - צָוָה) signifies a strong, authoritative, non-negotiable directive.
• 'Protect for my sake the young man Absalom.': Hebrew: "Shameru-li et ha-na'ar Absalom" (שִׁמְרוּ־לִי אֶת־הַנַּעַר אַבְשָׁלֹם).
  • Protect (Shameru - שִׁמְרוּ): A command to guard, watch over, keep safe.
  • for my sake (li - לִי): David’s plea is deeply personal, highlighting his love for his son despite Absalom's rebellion. It reveals David's anguish and desire for his son's life, showing mercy over justice.
  • the young man (ha-na'ar - הַנַּעַר): While Absalom was an adult capable of leading an army, David consistently referred to him as "the young man" (see 2 Sam 18:5, 18:29, 18:32). This term can denote youth but here also carries a tone of tenderness, vulnerability, and David's paternal affection, seeing his son in need of protection rather than as a ruthless rebel leader.

2 Samuel 18 12 Bonus section

The sum of a thousand shekels of silver was approximately thirty pounds sterling in Victorian times, which could have been a vast fortune for a common soldier. It puts his moral integrity into very sharp relief, as it was not a trivial amount to decline. The phrase "stretch out my hand against" or "put forth my hand" is a consistent biblical idiom for inflicting harm or violence, often forbidden (e.g., Gen 37:22, Ex 22:8, Deut 13:9). The soldier's refusal, therefore, signifies a refusal to commit an act of violence explicitly contrary to his king's direct spoken will, despite Absalom's betrayal. This demonstrates a deep-seated respect for the king's sacred word, echoing the respect for "the Lord's anointed."

2 Samuel 18 12 Commentary

This verse powerfully illustrates a clash of values: the unwavering commitment to a solemn command versus the allure of immense personal gain and pragmatic ruthlessness. The unnamed soldier represents a profound moral integrity, prioritizing direct obedience to his king's word over material wealth. His declaration underscores the weight of David's public directive to protect Absalom, showing that David's instruction was clearly heard and understood within the military ranks. This stands in stark contrast to Joab's cynical dismissal of the king's order, revealing Joab's willingness to prioritize swift military victory over royal mercy or integrity. The soldier's ethical stance serves as a strong counter-narrative to the prevailing political and military opportunism, reflecting a higher principle of loyalty and adherence to authority. This verse provides an insight into the respect due to an explicit, even difficult, command from an authority, and challenges the listener to consider what personal cost they would bear for such fidelity.