2 Samuel 18:13
ESV
On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof."
NIV
And if I had put my life in jeopardy —and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have kept your distance from me."
NASB
Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have avoided me.'
CSB
If I had jeopardized my own life—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me."
NLT
And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son — and the king would certainly find out who did it — you yourself would be the first to abandon me.'
KJV
Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.
NKJV
Otherwise I would have dealt falsely against my own life. For there is nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me.”
What does 2 Samuel 18:13 mean?
Joab is incredulous with one of his soldiers. They're in the middle of a war against David's son, Absalom, who has manipulated the people to follow him in a war against the king (2 Samuel 15; 17). The soldier found Absalom hanging from a tree, completely helpless. Instead of taking advantage of the situation, killing him, and saving the kingdom, the soldier found told his commander instead. Joab claims he would have given the soldier a small fortune to hear that Absalom was dead (2 Samuel 18:9–11).It's been a very long time since Joab was a foot soldier. He's been David's military commander for decades. In addition, he's David's sister's son. He respects David culturally, but he has no problem countermanding David's commands if he feels they're wrong (2 Samuel 3:24–29). So far, David has never punished Joab's disobedience.
The soldier explains he's in a much more precarious situation. The entire army heard David command that they were to treat Absalom "gently." David would eventually find out what happened and have the soldier executed. He can't spend silver if he's dead (2 Samuel 18:5, 12). And he can't count on his commander to save him. If David puts him on trial, there's no way Joab is going to risk his own position to support him. Joab would have used him as a scapegoat for accomplishing what Joab wanted done.
Whether because Joab is convicted that the soldier realized a hidden motive, or just out of impatience, Joab snaps. He cuts off the conversation and stabs Absalom three times in the heart, allowing his men to ensure the deed is complete (2 Samuel 18:14–15).
David doesn't execute Joab for killing Absalom. He does temporarily fire the general and replace him with a cousin, Amasa (2 Samuel 19:13). Even as David instructs Solomon on how he should mete out justice, David doesn't condemn Joab for Absalom's death. But he does tell Solomon to execute Joab for murdering Abner and Amasa (1 Kings 2:5–6).
