2 Samuel 18:10
ESV
And a certain man saw it and told Joab, "Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak."
NIV
When one of the men saw what had happened, he told Joab, "I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree."
NASB
When a certain man saw him, he informed Joab and said, 'Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.'
CSB
One of the men saw him and informed Joab. He said, "I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!"
NLT
One of David’s men saw what had happened and told Joab, 'I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree.'
KJV
And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
NKJV
Now a certain man saw it and told Joab, and said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in a terebinth tree!”
What does 2 Samuel 18:10 mean?
Absalom was a handsome man with thick, luxurious hair (2 Samuel 14:25–26). He rode on a chariot, pulled by horses, through the Jerusalem streets while fifty guards ran before him (2 Samuel 15:1). After Absalom took Jerusalem from his father, King David, his counselor Ahithophel presented a plan. His plot would destroy David but not require Absalom's presence. Absalom agreed (2 Samuel 17:1–4). But when Hushai, David's double agent, suggested Absalom gather a large army and lead them into battle himself, the would-be king liked that idea even better (2 Samuel 17:11, 14).Unfortunately for himself, Absalom is a politician, not a warrior. His army is in shambles due to God's will, the experience of David's men, and the rough terrain (2 Samuel 18:6–8). And now, Absalom is stuck dangling from a tree, his head caught in a branch. He's helpless against any of David's men who may find him (2 Samuel 18:9). Fortunately, the first soldier to see Absalom leaves him untouched. Instead, he tells Joab, David's military commander (2 Samuel 18:2).
When Joab asks the man why he left Absalom alive, the soldier will remind the general of David's specific instructions: "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 18:5). He would never harm the king's son, and no amount of silver is worth his life or the king's wrath (2 Samuel 18:6–13).
