2 Samuel 20 20

2 Samuel 20:20 kjv

And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

2 Samuel 20:20 nkjv

And Joab answered and said, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy!

2 Samuel 20:20 niv

"Far be it from me!" Joab replied, "Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy!

2 Samuel 20:20 esv

Joab answered, "Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy!

2 Samuel 20:20 nlt

And Joab replied, "Believe me, I don't want to devour or destroy your town!

2 Samuel 20 verses

2 Samuel 20 20 Meaning

In this verse, Joab emphatically denies any intention of causing wanton destruction or total annihilation of the city of Abel of Beth-Maachah. He passionately asserts that it is far from his mind or purpose to consume or utterly ruin an Israelite city or its people without cause, clarifying that his presence and actions are solely directed at securing Sheba, the renegade.

2 Samuel 20 20 Context

The immediate context of 2 Samuel 20:20 begins with the rebellion of Sheba ben Bichri, a Benjamite, who calls for a revolt against King David after Absalom's defeat. Joab, David's commander, pursues Sheba to Abel of Beth-Maachah, where Sheba takes refuge. Joab's forces begin to batter the city walls to breach them and apprehend Sheba. It is at this critical juncture that a "wise woman" from the city (2 Sam 20:16) engages Joab. She challenges his siege, asking why he would "destroy a mother in Israel" (2 Sam 20:19), referring to the city's importance. This verse (20:20) is Joab's direct, impassioned reply to her accusation, correcting her perception of his objective and setting the stage for a peaceful resolution rather than the city's destruction.

2 Samuel 20 20 Word analysis

• And Joab came: Highlights the initiative and directness of Joab, a seasoned military commander, in engaging with the woman.
• to the woman: Specifically, the "wise woman" mentioned in 2 Sam 20:16. She represents the collective voice of the besieged city and its plea for preservation.
• and he said: Marks the beginning of Joab's verbal response, which is a pivotal moment for negotiation.
• "Far be it from me, far be it from me,": Hebrew: ḥālilāh lî, ḥālilāh lî. This is a profoundly strong interjection expressing absolute negation, revulsion, or solemn refusal. The repetition emphasizes the intensity and sincerity of Joab's denial. It carries the weight of "God forbid" or "perish the thought." It conveys that the thought of indiscriminate destruction is abhorrent to him.
• "that I should swallow up": Hebrew: bālaʿ (בלע). This verb means "to swallow," "to gulp down," "to engulf," or "to consume entirely." In this context, it depicts a total and irreversible consumption or disappearance, like a city being completely devoured or made to vanish. It suggests utter obliteration.
• "or destroy!": Hebrew: shāḥat (שחת). This verb has a broader meaning than bālaʿ. It implies "to spoil," "to ruin," "to corrupt," "to lay waste," "to utterly ruin," or "to annihilate." While bālaʿ suggests consumption, shāḥat suggests rendering something dysfunctional, morally corrupt, or structurally broken beyond repair. The pairing of bālaʿ and shāḥat conveys a comprehensive denial of total ruin, whether by consumption or spoiling.
• Words-group: "Far be it from me... or destroy!": This entire phrase is a powerful assertion of Joab's strategic rather than malicious intent. He clearly denies a goal of indiscriminate obliteration of an Israelite city. His focus is on surgical action (capturing Sheba), not widespread devastation. This denial reveals his understanding of loyalty to David's kingdom and the sanctity of Israelite life and settlements, demonstrating a capacity for discretion beyond mere military aggression. It's a pragmatic and principled stand for an experienced general.

2 Samuel 20 20 Bonus section

The Hebrew word ḥālilāh (חללה) found in "Far be it from me" implies a desecration or profanity. For Joab to "swallow up or destroy" an innocent Israelite city without just cause would, in essence, be a desecration or a highly unrighteous act in his view and, importantly, in the eyes of God and David's kingdom. His denial implies that his actions align with righteous conduct for a commander in Israel. The interaction between Joab and the wise woman serves as a profound illustration of the principle that wisdom can de-escalate conflict and protect lives. Her courage and foresight in asking the right questions, combined with Joab's unexpected candor and restraint, prevented immense suffering, echoing the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions even in volatile situations. This also reinforces the idea within Israelite jurisprudence and warfare that the innocent should not suffer alongside the guilty.

2 Samuel 20 20 Commentary

2 Samuel 20:20 is a moment of crucial clarification by Joab. Faced with the "wise woman's" plea, which effectively accuses him of wanting to destroy an important Israelite city (a "mother in Israel"), Joab swiftly corrects this misapprehension. His emphatic double denial, "Far be it from me, far be it from me," using the Hebrew ḥālilāh lî, carries significant moral and religious weight, indicating deep abhorrence for the implied accusation. He rejects the notion of "swallowing up" (bālaʿ)—total, utter consumption, or "destroying" (shāḥat)—utter ruin or spoiling, the city or its people. This isn't merely a political maneuver; it reveals Joab's calculated loyalty to David and his understanding that preserving the kingdom involves protecting its people and strategic cities, not wantonly devastating them. He clarifies his singular objective: the apprehension of the rebel Sheba. This concise statement averts a massacre and highlights the unexpected diplomacy and adherence to justice from a hardened military commander. It exemplifies how dialogue, even on the brink of battle, can reveal true intentions and pave the way for a less destructive outcome.