2 Samuel 18 16

2 Samuel 18:16 kjv

And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

2 Samuel 18:16 nkjv

So Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel. For Joab held back the people.

2 Samuel 18:16 niv

Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them.

2 Samuel 18:16 esv

Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained them.

2 Samuel 18:16 nlt

Then Joab blew the ram's horn, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel.

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 16 Meaning

After Absalom, the leader of the rebellion, was killed, Joab, the commander of David's army, blew the trumpet. This served as an immediate and authoritative signal for the victorious forces to cease their pursuit of Absalom's defeated army. Joab intentionally restrained the troops, understanding that with the rebellion's head removed, the objective of the conflict was achieved, and further bloodshed of fellow Israelites was unnecessary and counterproductive to unifying the fractured kingdom.

2 Samuel 18 16 Context

The civil war between King David and his rebellious son Absalom has reached its bloody climax. Chapter 18 describes the decisive battle fought in the forest of Ephraim. Despite King David's explicit command to "deal gently with the young man Absalom," Joab and his men directly violate this order, killing Absalom (vv. 14-15). With Absalom, the focal point of the rebellion, dead, the continued pursuit of his now leaderless and fleeing forces became unnecessary. This verse marks the immediate military aftermath, signifying Joab's shrewd judgment that the war's objective—the restoration of David's rule and the end of the insurrection—was accomplished. This strategic cessation of hostilities also prevented further loss of life among fellow Israelites and facilitated a quicker path toward reconciliation for the fractured kingdom.

2 Samuel 18 16 Word analysis

• Then Joab (וַיִּתְקַע יוֹאָב, vay-yit-qa' Yo'av): "Joab" (יוֹאָב, Yo'av) is David's powerful and often ruthless commander. His name consistently appears at critical junctures, reflecting his decisive and often independent actions. The prefix "Then" (vay-) marks sequential action, showing the immediate response to Absalom's death.
• blew (וַיִּתְקַע, vay-yit-qa'): Hiphil imperfect consecutive form of the verb תקע (taqa', to strike, to thrust, to blow). It signifies a deliberate and forceful action, specifically used for blowing a horn or trumpet to sound an alarm, summon, or signal a halt. It highlights Joab's command authority and intentionality.
• the trumpet (בַּשּׁוֹפָר, ba-shō-far): The Hebrew word שׁוֹפָר (shofar) refers to a ram's horn, used extensively in ancient Israel for various purposes, including military signals, religious ceremonies, and proclamations. Here, its sound carried clear authority to the soldiers as a command.
• and the army (וַיָּשֹׁב הָעָם, vay-yā-shov hā-‘ām): "The army" (הָעָם, hā-‘ām) literally means "the people," but in military contexts, it refers to the fighting force. "And... stopped" (vay-yā-shov) indicates an immediate halt, showcasing the army's obedience to Joab's signal.
• stopped pursuing (מֵרָדֹף, mê-ra-dōf): From רָדַף (radaph, to pursue, to chase). The preposition "from" (mê-) indicates cessation of the action. This confirms the specific nature of the halt: ending the pursuit.
• Israel (אַחֲרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, aḥa-rê Yiś-rā’ēl): "After Israel." This phrasing highlights the tragic nature of the civil war—Israelites pursuing other Israelites. It reinforces that the enemy faction was also part of God's covenant people.
• for Joab (כִּי חָשַׂךְ יוֹאָב, kî ḥā-saḵ Yo'av): The conjunction "for" (kî) provides the direct reason. Joab is explicitly named as the agent of the action.
• restrained (חָשַׂךְ, ḥā-saḵ): Qal perfect form of חָשַׂךְ (ḥasak, to withhold, to restrain, to spare). This word underscores Joab's deliberate act of keeping the army from further fighting or destruction. It was an active decision to curb the army's momentum, not merely a passive response to an event.
• the army (אֶת־הָעָם, ‘eṯ-hā-‘ām): Direct object, referring back to the soldiers mentioned earlier. This reiterates that Joab's command was directed specifically at stopping his troops.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Joab blew the trumpet": This phrase immediately establishes Joab's decisive military authority. The sound of the shofar was an unmistakable command in battle.
• "and the army stopped pursuing Israel": This highlights the direct consequence of Joab's command. The immediate halt demonstrates military discipline and obedience, crucial for maintaining order after a significant victory. The use of "Israel" for the defeated side underscores the tragic reality of civil strife among God's people.
• "for Joab restrained the army": This clarifies the motivation and agency. It was not merely an automatic cease-fire but Joab's conscious and active decision to stop the slaughter. This pragmatic choice ensured the military objective was met without unnecessary extended vengeance, which could further damage national unity.

2 Samuel 18 16 Bonus section

• Joab's decisive leadership throughout 2 Samuel (e.g., in battle against the Ammonites and Syrians, securing Jerusalem, and quelling rebellions) establishes him as the undisputed operational head of David's army. This verse confirms his pivotal role in military decision-making and troop control, even over David's desires.
• The immediate halt signaled by the trumpet underscores the professionalism and discipline of David's forces. An army that can stop fighting upon command, even in the flush of victory, speaks to strong training and effective command structure, unlike mere disorganized raiders.
• This moment paves the way for the painful but necessary reconciliation and healing within David's kingdom, despite the deep personal grief David would soon experience over Absalom's death. Joab’s act prioritized the state’s well-being over the pursuit of absolute vengeance, a choice that might have saved countless lives and facilitated a quicker, if painful, peace.

2 Samuel 18 16 Commentary

2 Samuel 18:16 presents Joab as the pragmatic and effective military leader David needed, yet one who frequently operated beyond the King's emotional or moral compass. His action in blowing the trumpet and actively restraining the army was pivotal. With Absalom's death, the war's purpose was fulfilled; continued pursuit of the demoralized, fleeing rebel forces would only deepen the internecine conflict and result in further unnecessary Israeli casualties. Joab understood that David's restoration required swift and decisive action, followed by an immediate cessation of hostilities, rather than extended retribution. This act showcases Joab's military acumen, his clear-sighted focus on strategic objectives over emotional responses, and his firm control over the army, contrasting sharply with David's anticipated grief which could have led to a less decisive end to the conflict. It reveals his loyalty not to David's personal sentiments, but to the stability and integrity of David's kingdom.