2 Samuel 18 13

2 Samuel 18:13 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 18:13 nkjv

Otherwise I would have dealt falsely against my own life. For there is nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me."

2 Samuel 18:13 niv

And if I had put my life in jeopardy?and nothing is hidden from the king?you would have kept your distance from me."

2 Samuel 18:13 esv

On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof."

2 Samuel 18:13 nlt

And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son ? and the king would certainly find out who did it ? you yourself would be the first to abandon me."

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 13 Meaning

2 Samuel 18:13 contains Joab's intense rebuttal to the man who refused to harm Absalom. Joab contends that if he had commanded Absalom's death (going against David's explicit instruction), and then he himself had failed to protect or reward the man for carrying out the deed, such an act of treachery on Joab's part would certainly not be hidden from King David. Consequently, Joab would find himself in severe personal peril or disgrace before the king. This statement implicitly justifies Joab's actions by suggesting that he acts decisively but also adheres to his own promises, emphasizing that even the king cannot be kept ignorant of key matters, including a commander's trustworthiness or disloyalty to his subordinates.

2 Samuel 18 13 Context

2 Samuel Chapter 18 describes the decisive battle between King David's forces and the rebel army led by Absalom. David, desiring to protect his rebellious son, explicitly commanded his three generals—Joab, Abishai, and Ittai—to deal gently with "the young man Absalom" (v. 5). The verse in question (v. 13) comes after a scout discovers Absalom hanging caught by his head in an oak tree. The scout informs Joab of Absalom's vulnerable position but expresses his refusal to strike Absalom, citing King David's stern command (vv. 11-12). The scout's rationale emphasizes his deep respect for the king's order, stating that even a great reward would not tempt him to transgress. Joab’s statement in 2 Samuel 18:13 is his calculated reply, designed to argue for the necessity of immediate action against Absalom, justifying why the messenger should have acted and explaining his (Joab's) own pragmatic view regarding command, consequence, and loyalty to those who obey him, even as he himself plans to disobey David's direct order. It reflects Joab's understanding of court politics and his assessment that a powerful king like David has extensive knowledge, making hidden acts or broken promises dangerous.

2 Samuel 18 13 Word analysis

• Otherwise / וְאִם־ (w'im-): This conjunction means "and if," introducing a hypothetical condition. It sets up Joab's counter-argument or scenario against the messenger's justification.
• if I had dealt treacherously / שָׁקַרְתִּי (shaqartī): From the root שׁקר (shaqar), meaning "to lie, deceive, deal falsely." In this context, Joab uses it to describe a hypothetical act of bad faith or broken promise on his part towards the messenger, specifically if he failed to protect the messenger after Absalom's killing.
• against his life / בְנַפְשׁוֹ (b'nap̄šō): Literally "in his soul" or "against his person/life." While grammatically linked to "dealt treacherously," its direct object here is usually understood as a general reference to betraying the commitment made, perhaps even betraying David's general "deal gently" order which would be considered acting against Absalom's life by ordering his death. However, it's more likely referring to the life/well-being of the messenger whom Joab had offered a reward and implied protection.
• for there is no matter / וְכָל־דָּבָר לֹא־נִכְחָד (v'kōl-dāvār lō-nikḥad): "And every word/thing is not hidden." This phrase highlights the pervasive reach of David's authority and intelligence network. Nothing truly important escapes the king's notice, implying both David's wisdom and the diligence of his spies.
• hidden from the king / מֵהַמֶּלֶךְ (mêhammelekh): Emphasizes King David's insight and access to information, even things that happen behind the scenes. This statement implicitly mirrors a divine attribute, underscoring the king's elevated status and the difficulty of deceiving him.
• and you yourself would have stood aloof / וְאַתָּה הִתְיַצַּבְתָּ מִנֶּגֶד (v'attâ hityatztā minneged): This phrase is debated. It can mean "you stood opposite/aside," suggesting the messenger's failure to engage in the proposed action (killing Absalom) OR it can mean that if Joab had dealt falsely with the messenger, then the messenger would have stood aloof from Joab, refusing to protect him, and therefore exposing Joab. The ESV "stood aloof" implies the messenger's inaction had he been promised the reward and protection from Joab, then abandoned by Joab.
• I would have set myself against you / וְשַׂמְתִּי אֶת־נַפְשִׁי בְחַלְלָהּ (w'samtî 'et-nafšî b'ḥallāh): This is one of the most difficult phrases in the verse. Literally, "I would put my soul/life in its wound/among the slain/in danger." Most scholars understand it as Joab saying he would be in great peril or would suffer loss/disgrace himself, either before David or spiritually, if he acted in such a treacherous way towards the messenger who followed his order. It expresses the potential consequence to Joab himself for breaking his word.

Words-group analysis:

• "Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life... for there is no matter hidden from the king": Joab's words underscore a core truth in powerful courts: true authority implies comprehensive knowledge. Joab uses this to persuade the messenger, arguing that any deception from Joab himself concerning the reward or protection, after a brave deed, would inevitably reach David's ears. This knowledge by the king creates a boundary even for someone as powerful as Joab. It sets up an argument that acting treacherously carries a guaranteed severe personal cost when dealing with a well-informed monarch like David.
• "and you yourself would have stood aloof, I would have set myself against you.": This concluding thought reinforces Joab's integrity in command, despite his ruthless actions. He implies a soldierly bond: "If you had trusted me and killed Absalom, and I then betrayed you by not rewarding/protecting you, that act of my disloyalty to my own promise would be revealed to the king, and I would pay the ultimate price or face grave consequences." It reveals Joab's calculated pragmatism: he understands the absolute necessity of decisive action, but also the critical importance of reputation and loyalty, especially when under the watchful eye of an astute king.

2 Samuel 18 13 Bonus section

The phrase "there is no matter hidden from the king" reveals the power dynamics in David's kingdom. It speaks not only to David's wisdom and a potentially sophisticated intelligence network, but also subtly prefigures the divine attribute of omniscience. David, though a human king, is presented here as having an unusual degree of awareness, making him a figure of considerable awe and one not easily deceived. This foreshadows the truth that ultimate authority and comprehensive knowledge truly belong to God, from whom no secret can be kept. Joab’s cold, calculated justification highlights the contrast between the messy realities of leadership and conflict on earth versus the clear divine commands often given by God. It underlines the frequent tension in the biblical narrative between human expediency and righteous obedience.

2 Samuel 18 13 Commentary

Joab's statement in 2 Samuel 18:13 provides insight into his character as David’s chief commander: fiercely pragmatic, strategically astute, and willing to defy emotional commands for military victory and the perceived stability of the kingdom. This verse encapsulates Joab's worldview where ultimate authority (King David's knowledge and discernment) meant that actions, particularly those involving promises and consequences, could not be concealed. He effectively argues that if he, Joab, were to renege on a promise or betray one of his own men after ordering such a sensitive deed, such treachery would not be hidden from King David, and Joab himself would be held accountable and placed in peril. This statement serves as both a subtle critique of the messenger's caution and a subtle justification of Joab’s own imminent defiance of David's order. He portrays himself as bound by principles of command and accountability, even as he overrides David's direct will. The practical implication is that courageous actions are best executed under strong and dependable leadership, where integrity is upheld from commander to soldier, lest the chain of command—and indeed the very pursuit of justice or military objectives—is jeopardized by disloyalty or fear of reprisal.