2 Samuel 18:12
ESV
But the man said to Joab, "Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not reach out my hand against the king 's son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake protect the young man Absalom.’
NIV
But the man replied, "Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake. ’
NASB
But the man said to Joab, 'Even if I were to receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘ Protect the young man Absalom for me!’
CSB
The man replied to Joab, "Even if I had the weight of a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for me.’
NLT
I would not kill the king’s son for even a thousand pieces of silver, ' the man replied to Joab. 'We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake, please spare young Absalom.’
KJV
And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
NKJV
But the man said to Joab, “Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!’
What does 2 Samuel 18:12 mean?
Ever since David fled Saul, Joab has dedicated himself to fighting David's battles, either with him or for him (1 Samuel 22:1). He's extremely loyal to David. But his loyalty exceeds his obedience. He's more than willing to defy an order if he believes David is wrong. When David made a treaty with Saul's general Abner, Joab couldn't overlook the fact that Abner killed his brother Asahel (2 Samuel 2:23), so Joab murdered Abner (2 Samuel 3:26–30).Joab in once again in a similar situation. David's son Absalom has led a revolt against his father, taken Jerusalem and David's concubines, and gathered a large army. A soldier has arrived and told Absalom that, stunningly, Absalom's head is caught in a tree branch, and he's hanging in midair. Even more incredulously, the soldier just left him. He didn't kill King David's sworn enemy when he had the chance. Joab and David's forces are winning, but the battle won't be truly over until Absalom's dead. David's command to be merciful to Absalom (2 Samuel 18:5) doesn't even register in Joab's strategic mind. He is furious. He claims he would have given the soldier more than a lifetime's wages and the belt of a warrior if only he'd drawn his spear and made one thrust (2 Samuel 18:9–11).
The young soldier is more interested in serving David through obedience. He lists the reasons why he can't kill Absalom. David told everyone within hearing to treat Absalom kindly. A prince of the realm deserves his respect, even if he is currently a traitor. And it would be hard to spend money if David found out and had him executed (2 Samuel 18:13).
Joab doesn't fear David. He feels his job is to protect the king, even from himself. He takes three javelins and thrusts them into the prince's heart. His ten amor-bearers follow suit, and the short war is over (2 Samuel 18:14–15).
