2 samuel 18:13 - Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.”
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What does "2 samuel 18:13" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 18:13 is part of a conversation between Joab and the messenger he's sending to Absalom. It's a risky mission, as Joab is ordering the messenger to kill Absalom, despite King David's specific command to spare his son's life. The verse essentially means:
"If I had disobeyed the king and killed Absalom, (which the king would undoubtedly find out about), you, messenger, would have been responsible for betraying me to the king and turning him against me."
Here's a breakdown:
"Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life...": This refers to the hypothetical situation where the messenger followed Joab's secret order and killed Absalom (i.e., dealt falsely against his life).
"(and there is no matter hidden from the king)...": This is a key part of Joab's concern. He acknowledges that David is powerful and has intelligence sources that are likely to uncover any secret act, especially a high-profile one like the murder of Absalom. David would find out that Joab had ordered the kill.
"...then you yourself would have set yourself against me.”: This is the messenger's responsibility. If the messenger followed the order to kill Absalom, the messenger would have become responsible for handing Joab over to the King, as the messenger would be aware of the order to disobey the king. This means the messenger becomes Joab's accuser.
In essence, Joab is saying to the messenger, "If you kill Absalom at my command, and the king finds out, you'll be the one who gets me into trouble by telling David. You'd be turning on me."
Why is this important?
Joab's Self-Preservation: This verse highlights Joab's primary concern: protecting himself. He's willing to order a morally questionable act (killing a royal son) but only if he can avoid personal repercussions.
Implied Order: While Joab phrases it hypothetically, it acts as a direct order to kill Absalom, with a warning not to snitch and implicate Joab.
Power Dynamics: It shows the complex power dynamics between Joab, the king's general, and his subordinates. He can order them to do dangerous and morally ambiguous things, but he also worries about their potential to betray him.
David's Power: It reinforces David's authority and his ability to uncover secrets, which is a major deterrent for anyone considering defying him.
This verse shows that Joab understood that the messenger may rat him out for ordering to kill Absalom if the King found out.
2 samuel 18:13 - Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.”
What does "2 samuel 18:13" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 18:13 is part of a conversation between Joab and the messenger he's sending to Absalom. It's a risky mission, as Joab is ordering the messenger to kill Absalom, despite King David's specific command to spare his son's life. The verse essentially means:
"If I had disobeyed the king and killed Absalom, (which the king would undoubtedly find out about), you, messenger, would have been responsible for betraying me to the king and turning him against me."
Here's a breakdown:
"Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life...": This refers to the hypothetical situation where the messenger followed Joab's secret order and killed Absalom (i.e., dealt falsely against his life).
"(and there is no matter hidden from the king)...": This is a key part of Joab's concern. He acknowledges that David is powerful and has intelligence sources that are likely to uncover any secret act, especially a high-profile one like the murder of Absalom. David would find out that Joab had ordered the kill.
"...then you yourself would have set yourself against me.”: This is the messenger's responsibility. If the messenger followed the order to kill Absalom, the messenger would have become responsible for handing Joab over to the King, as the messenger would be aware of the order to disobey the king. This means the messenger becomes Joab's accuser.
In essence, Joab is saying to the messenger, "If you kill Absalom at my command, and the king finds out, you'll be the one who gets me into trouble by telling David. You'd be turning on me."
Why is this important?
Joab's Self-Preservation: This verse highlights Joab's primary concern: protecting himself. He's willing to order a morally questionable act (killing a royal son) but only if he can avoid personal repercussions.
Implied Order: While Joab phrases it hypothetically, it acts as a direct order to kill Absalom, with a warning not to snitch and implicate Joab.
Power Dynamics: It shows the complex power dynamics between Joab, the king's general, and his subordinates. He can order them to do dangerous and morally ambiguous things, but he also worries about their potential to betray him.
David's Power: It reinforces David's authority and his ability to uncover secrets, which is a major deterrent for anyone considering defying him.
This verse shows that Joab understood that the messenger may rat him out for ordering to kill Absalom if the King found out.