2 samuel 18:12 - The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’
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What does "2 samuel 18:12" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 18:12 highlights the inner conflict and moral dilemma faced by a soldier in Joab's army during the battle against Absalom's rebellion. Let's break it down:
"The man said to Joab...": This refers to an unnamed soldier in Joab's army. Joab was David's general.
"Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son...": The soldier is being offered a substantial bribe (a thousand pieces of silver) to kill Absalom. However, he is stating that even for that amount of money, he would not harm Absalom. This highlights the soldier's loyalty to the king's command and his reluctance to kill a member of the royal family.
"...for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’": The soldier's reason for refusing the bribe is David's explicit order. The king had commanded Joab, Abishai (Joab's brother), and Ittai (a foreign commander loyal to David) to spare Absalom's life. The soldier, along with others, had overheard this order directly from the king.
"Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.": David's order was clear: Absalom was to be kept safe. The word "touch" in this context means to harm or kill. David was trying to spare his son, even though Absalom had betrayed him and led a rebellion.
In essence, this verse signifies:
The weight of David's command: The soldier respects David's authority and fears disobeying his direct order.
A moral conflict: The soldier is torn between potential reward (the bribe), loyalty to his commander (Joab), and obedience to the king's wish to spare his son.
Foreshadowing: This verse hints at the tragedy to come. Despite David's clear order, Absalom will be killed, highlighting the consequences of rebellion and the limitations of even a king's command.
The soldier's integrity: The soldier demonstrates a sense of integrity by prioritizing obedience to the king's command over personal gain. He refuses to become an assassin, even when offered a considerable sum of money.
This verse is a crucial turning point in the narrative, showcasing the complexities of loyalty, obedience, and the tragic consequences of Absalom's rebellion. It also sets the stage for the emotional turmoil that will follow when David learns of Absalom's death.
2 samuel 18:12 - The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’
What does "2 samuel 18:12" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 18:12 highlights the inner conflict and moral dilemma faced by a soldier in Joab's army during the battle against Absalom's rebellion. Let's break it down:
"The man said to Joab...": This refers to an unnamed soldier in Joab's army. Joab was David's general.
"Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son...": The soldier is being offered a substantial bribe (a thousand pieces of silver) to kill Absalom. However, he is stating that even for that amount of money, he would not harm Absalom. This highlights the soldier's loyalty to the king's command and his reluctance to kill a member of the royal family.
"...for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’": The soldier's reason for refusing the bribe is David's explicit order. The king had commanded Joab, Abishai (Joab's brother), and Ittai (a foreign commander loyal to David) to spare Absalom's life. The soldier, along with others, had overheard this order directly from the king.
"Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.": David's order was clear: Absalom was to be kept safe. The word "touch" in this context means to harm or kill. David was trying to spare his son, even though Absalom had betrayed him and led a rebellion.
In essence, this verse signifies:
The weight of David's command: The soldier respects David's authority and fears disobeying his direct order.
A moral conflict: The soldier is torn between potential reward (the bribe), loyalty to his commander (Joab), and obedience to the king's wish to spare his son.
Foreshadowing: This verse hints at the tragedy to come. Despite David's clear order, Absalom will be killed, highlighting the consequences of rebellion and the limitations of even a king's command.
The soldier's integrity: The soldier demonstrates a sense of integrity by prioritizing obedience to the king's command over personal gain. He refuses to become an assassin, even when offered a considerable sum of money.
This verse is a crucial turning point in the narrative, showcasing the complexities of loyalty, obedience, and the tragic consequences of Absalom's rebellion. It also sets the stage for the emotional turmoil that will follow when David learns of Absalom's death.