Battle in the Forest of Ephraim and Absalom's Death
2 Samuel 18:1-18
2 S.18.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפקד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושרי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exod.18.21 (verbal): Jethro counsels Moses to appoint capable men as 'rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds...,' closely matching David's appointment of captains of thousands and hundreds (similar language and administrative solution).
- Deut.1.15 (verbal): Moses describes appointing tribal leaders as 'heads of thousands and heads of hundreds' to govern the people—an earlier Israelite precedent for organizing forces into thousands and hundreds.
- 1Chr.27.1 (thematic): Chronicles records David's organized military divisions and their leaders (monthly service and commanders), reflecting the same administrative structuring of David's forces.
- Acts 14.23 (thematic): Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in every church—a New Testament instance of organizing a community by installing leaders for defined groups, thematically parallel to appointing military captains.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David mustered the people who were with him, and he set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
- David mustered the people who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
2 S.18.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- השלשית: ADJ,f,sg,def
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והשלשית: CONJ+ADJ,f,sg,def
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אבישי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צרויה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והשלשת: CONJ+ADJ,f,sg,def
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- הגתי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אצא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- גם: ADV
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- עמכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
Parallels
- Judges 7:16 (structural): Gideon divides his force into three companies for a coordinated night attack—similar threefold military deployment in David’s battlefield arrangement.
- 2 Sam.15:19-22 (allusion): Ittai the Gittite pledges to follow David during his flight from Absalom; the same Ittai appears here as commander of one of the thirds, linking the episodes.
- 2 Sam.2:18-23 (verbal): Joab and Abishai already function as David’s military commanders in the earlier clash with Abner (the Gibeon battle), showing continuity of leadership referenced in 18:2.
- 2 Sam.18:5 (thematic): Immediate narrative parallel: David announces he will go out with the troops, but the people (and later Joab) insist he remain behind—directly connected to the decision recorded in 18:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David sent the people in three divisions: a third by the hand of Joab, a third by the hand of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third by the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, "I will also go out with you."
- David sent the people: a third under Joab, a third under Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, 'I too will go out with you.'
2 S.18.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- תצא: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- נס: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- ננוס: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישימו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- ימתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- חצינו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישימו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- עתה: ADV
- כמנו: PREP+PRON,1,m,pl
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועתה: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- מעיר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעזור: INF,qal
Parallels
- 2 Sam 17:1-14 (thematic): Hushai counsels Absalom to delay and assemble all Israel rather than pursue David quickly—parallel strategic debate over whether to press an immediate attack or await larger forces (similar prudential reasoning about whether to 'go out').
- 2 Sam 17:22 (structural): Hushai sends word to David to cross the Jordan quickly to escape pursuit—directly parallels the idea of withdrawing/withdrawing forces to avoid being targeted in battle.
- 1 Sam 22:1-2 (thematic): David gathers those in distress and becomes their refuge at Adullam—echoes the theme of seeking a safe place or stronghold (a ‘city to help’) instead of risking open engagement.
- Num 32:20 (thematic): The tribes of Reuben and Gad offer to build cities and forts as a support for Israel’s military operations—parallels the practical concern in 2 Sam 18:3 about having a city to serve as an aid or refuge for one’s forces.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people said, "You shall not go out; if we flee, they will not pay heed to us; and if half of us die, they will not pay heed to us. For now we are ten thousand each of us; it is better that we have a city to give us help."
- The people said, 'You must not go out; if we flee, they will not pay attention to us. Even if half of us die, they will not notice. Now we are like ten thousand, and it is better that we have a city to give us help.'
2 S.18.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ייטב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בעיניכם: PREP+NOUN,pl,f,cons+PRON,2,pl
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- למאות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl
- ולאלפים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Sam.15.2 (verbal): Same striking image of a prominent figure 'standing by the gate' (Absalom) as a place to meet and influence the people; verbal and situational echo within the Absalom narrative.
- 2 Sam.18.3 (structural): Immediate chapter parallel: David's commands to his commanders and the disposition of the king and troops—shows the same scene of royal delegation and movement of the people.
- Ruth 4:1-2 (structural): Boaz meets the nearer kinsman and elders 'at the gate'—the city gate functions as the public/judicial place where leaders stand and people pass, paralleling the social setting of 2 Sam 18:4.
- 2 Kings 11:12 (thematic): Jehoash's public anointing/crowning at the gate highlights the gate as the locus of royal and civic action where the people gather and the king's position is publicly affirmed, a thematic parallel to the gate-scene dynamics in 2 Sam 18:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king said, "Whatever seems good to you I will do." And the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
- The king said to them, 'Whatever is good in your eyes I will do.' The king stood by the gate, and all the people went out in hundreds and thousands.
2 S.18.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אבישי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לאט: ADV
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לנער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאבשלום: PREP+PROPN,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- בצות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- השרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבשלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1Sam.26.8-11 (thematic): David forbids Abishai from killing Saul (Do not destroy the LORD's anointed) — parallel restraint/mercy by David toward a political rival despite opportunity to kill him, similar tone to 'be gentle to the young man Absalom.'
- 2Sam.18.14-15 (structural): Immediate narrative outcome in the same episode: Joab disregards the king's command and kills Absalom. This passage contrasts the king's instruction in 18:5 with the actual conduct of his commanders.
- 2Sam.19.5-8 (thematic): David's public response to Absalom's death and his rebuke of Joab (Joab accused of wrongdoing) — connects the royal command to be gentle with the political fallout and the king's reaction after the command is thwarted.
- 1Kgs.2.5-6 (allusion): David's later charge to Solomon concerning Joab's bloodguilt and the need to deal with him — thematically links Joab's earlier disobedience/violent actions (including Absalom's death) to later royal orders and consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, "Be gentle for my sake with the young man Absalom." And the whole people heard when the king gave charge to all the commanders concerning Absalom.
- The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, 'Be gentle with the young man Absalom.' And the whole people heard when the king gave the charge concerning Absalom to all the commanders.
2 S.18.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לקראת: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ביער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 18:5 (structural): Immediate context: David gives orders to Joab and the commanders just before the engagement — sets up the disposition of forces that leads to the battle in the forest of Ephraim.
- 2 Samuel 18:7 (structural): Direct continuation of the same episode: describes Absalom’s fate during the battle in the forest of Ephraim and the turning point of the conflict.
- 2 Samuel 2:26 (thematic): Earlier civil conflict between factions of Israel (house of Saul vs. David’s men) where 'there was a very sore battle' — parallels the internecine character and fierce fighting of the engagement in Ephraim’s forest.
- Judges 12:4-6 (thematic): Conflict between Ephraim and another Israelite group (Jephthah’s men) — thematically parallels intra‑Israel tribal/sectarian fighting and use of Ephraim’s territory as a theatre of strife.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people went out into the field to meet Israel; and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.
- The people went out to the field to meet Israel, and the battle was fought in the Forest of Ephraim.
2 S.18.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וינגפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- עם: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- שם: ADV
- המגפה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Sam 18:6 (structural): Immediate context: describes the fierce battle and that the forest 'devoured' more people than the sword, setting the scene for the great slaughter recorded in v.7.
- 2 Sam 18:14–15 (structural): Directly related episode: Joab’s killing of Absalom occurs in the same engagement that produced the great loss of life among Absalom’s forces.
- Judges 7:22 (thematic): A theophanic victory in which the enemy turns on itself and many are killed — parallels the sudden rout and heavy slaughter of Absalom’s forces before David’s men.
- 1 Sam 30:17–18 (thematic): David and his men inflict a large-scale slaughter on their foes and recover spoil — echoes the motif of David’s followers delivering decisive, deadly victories.
- 2 Sam 10:18 (thematic): Another report of a very large number killed when Israel defeats its enemies under David’s leadership, showing a recurring pattern of massive battlefield slaughter in Davidic warfare narratives.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people of Israel were struck down there before the servants of David; and there was that day a great slaughter—twenty thousand.
- Many of the men of Israel were struck down there before David's servants; and that day the slaughter was great—twenty thousand.
2 S.18.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- שם: ADV
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- נפצת: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וירב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- היער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאכל: INF,qal
- בעם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאשר: PREP+REL
- אכלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- החרב: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 18:6 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Joab and Amasa marshal and send the men into battle; sets up the engagement whose spread is reported in v.8.
- 2 Samuel 18:7 (verbal): Describes the fierce fighting and many casualties on that day—parallels v.8's report that the forest devoured more than the sword (same combat episode).
- 2 Samuel 18:9 (thematic): Reports Absalom’s hair caught in the oak (terebinth), showing how the woods directly caused his helplessness and contributed to deaths—concrete example of the forest’s lethal role in v.8.
- 2 Samuel 18:14–15 (structural): Joab’s killing of the helpless Absalom after he is entangled in the tree: the outcome of the battle and of the forest’s intervention emphasized in v.8.
- 2 Samuel 18:19–33 (thematic): The aftermath and the sending of tidings to David (including reports of Absalom’s death) highlight the human cost and national impact of the battle whose extent is summarized in v.8.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the battle there spread over all the countryside; and the forest devoured more of the people that day than the sword did.
- The fighting there spread over the whole countryside; the forest devoured more people that day than the sword did.
2 S.18.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אבשלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואבשלום: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- הפרד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הפרד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תחת: PREP
- שובך: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- האלה: DEM,pl
- הגדולה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- ויחזק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- באלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בין: PREP
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והפרד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 14:26 (verbal): Explicit background detail: Absalom’s hair grew heavy (משקלו השיער), explaining how his head could catch in the great oak and leave him suspended as in 18:9.
- 2 Samuel 18:10-15 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Joab’s men find Absalom caught in the tree and Joab orders/executes his death—shows the direct consequence of the entanglement described in 18:9.
- Judges 16:19-30 (thematic): Hair as the locus of power and vulnerability: Samson’s binding and downfall (and final death) link hair to capture and ruin, a theme echoed in Absalom’s long hair leading to his being trapped.
- Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (thematic): The legal/cultural motif of a man exposed 'on a tree' as a public disgrace; helps illuminate the shameful significance of Absalom’s suspension “between heaven and earth.”
- Psalm 41:9 (thematic): Theme of intimate betrayal—'my close friend' turning hostile—parallels the larger context of Absalom’s revolt against his father David that culminates in the episode of his capture and death.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak; and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.
- Absalom was riding on his mule; and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak so that his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.
2 S.18.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ליואב: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אבשלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- תלוי: ADJ,m,sg
- באלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Sam.18.9 (verbal): Immediate narrative context: the preceding verse reports Absalom’s hair becoming caught in the oak, producing the ‘hanging’ described in 18:10.
- 2 Sam.18.14-15 (structural): Direct narrative continuation: Joab and his men kill Absalom while he is suspended, completing the event reported in 18:10.
- 2 Sam.14.25-26 (thematic): Background characterization: describes Absalom’s extraordinary long hair, the physical trait that makes the incident of being caught and left suspended possible.
- Deut.21.22-23 (thematic): Legal/theological background: a person executed and hung on a tree is treated as accursed—provides cultural and theological resonance for the image of someone ‘hanging’ on a tree.
- Gal.3.13 (quotation): New Testament citation of Deut 21:22–23 (‘cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’); shows later theological use of hanging-on-a-tree imagery in interpreting crucifixion and curse language.
Alternative generated candidates
- And a man saw it and told Joab, and said, "I have seen Absalom hanging in an oak."
- A certain man saw it and told Joab, saying, 'I have seen Absalom hanging in an oak.'
2 S.18.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המגיד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- ראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ומדוע: CONJ+ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- הכיתו: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועלי: CONJ+PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחגרה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 18:14 (structural): Direct continuation of the episode: Joab himself thrusts the spears into Absalom after rebuking the messenger for not killing him.
- 2 Samuel 18:5 (structural): Contrasting instruction: David had told Joab to deal gently with Absalom, a command that Joab’s rebuke and subsequent action openly contravene.
- 2 Samuel 3:27 (thematic): Joab’s earlier extrajudicial killing of Abner displays the same willingness to take violent, decisive action against perceived rivals or threats.
- 2 Samuel 4:5–7 (thematic): Baanah and Rechab murder Ish-bosheth and are motivated by expectation of reward—parallels the motif of killing (or failing to kill) tied to monetary incentives.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joab said to the man who told him, "When you saw him, why did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt."
- Joab said to the man who told him, 'You saw him—why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have rewarded you with ten shekels of silver and a belt.'
2 S.18.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולוא: CONJ+PART_NEG
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- שקל: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- על: PREP
- כפי: PREP
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אשלח: VERB,qal,imperf,1,_,sg
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- אל: NEG
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- באזנינו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,suff1
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- אבישי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- שמרו: VERB,qal,imper,2,m,pl
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- בנער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באבשלום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 18:5 (quotation): David's explicit command to Joab, Abishai and Ittai to 'deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom'—the order cited by the man in 18:12 as the reason to refrain from killing Absalom.
- 2 Samuel 18:14-17 (structural): Immediate narrative contrast: after soldiers refuse to strike Absalom (v.12), Joab nevertheless thrusts three spears and kills him—shows tension between David's command/obedience of soldiers and Joab's decisive action.
- 1 Samuel 24:6 (verbal): David's refusal to kill Saul ('I will not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed') echoes the principle of refraining from harming the king or king’s son found in 2 Sam 18:12.
- 1 Samuel 26:8-11 (thematic): Abishai offers to kill Saul but David forbids it; thematically parallels respect for the royal person/office and reluctance to slay the king (or king’s kin) despite opportunity.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the man said to Joab, "Though I were to receive a thousand pieces of silver, I would not stretch out my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king gave command to you and to Abishai and to Ittai, saying, 'Beware even of the young man Absalom.'"
- The man said to Joab, 'Even if I were given a thousand shekels of silver, I would not lay my hand on the king's son, for in our hearing the king charged you, Abishai, and Ittai to take care of the young man Absalom.'
2 S.18.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- או: CONJ
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- בנפשי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1
- שקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יכחד: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- תתיצב: VERB,hitpael,impf,2,m,sg
- מנגד: ADV
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 18:15-17 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: these verses narrate Joab's killing of the young man who reported Absalom's fate and explain Joab's angry rebuke and motive, so they provide the direct narrative context for v.13.
- 2 Samuel 20:10-13 (thematic): Joab's similar extrajudicial violence (he seizes and kills Amasa by deceit) reflects the same pattern of Joab taking matters into his own hands and executing summary justice as in 18:13.
- 2 Samuel 3:27 (thematic): The assassination of Abner (a politically motivated killing in the Davidic succession struggles) parallels the political-military brutality surrounding leadership deaths in 18:13–18 and highlights the deadly factional context of the period.
- 1 Kings 2:5-6 (thematic): David's later command to Solomon to deal with Joab and the sons of Zeruiah as retribution for their murders shows the royal/legal consequences and moral judgment connected with Joab's pattern of violent, unauthorized killings exemplified in 2 Sam 18:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- "If I have acted treacherously toward his life—may the king himself inquire into it; I will not hide it from the king, and you shall be a witness."
- If I had done this, may I be false before my own life—yet nothing would be hidden from the king, and you would stand clear.
2 S.18.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- כן: ADV
- אחילה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שלשה: NUM,m
- שבטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בכפו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויתקעם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בלב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבשלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עודנו: ADV
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- בלב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 18:9-17 (structural): Same narrative episode: Absalom is caught in the oak and vulnerable; these verses set the scene immediately before and after Joab’s killing of Absalom.
- 2 Samuel 18:5 (thematic): David’s explicit order to ‘deal gently’ with Absalom, which Joab flagrantly ignores—highlights the tension between royal mercy and military expediency.
- 2 Samuel 3:27 (thematic): Joab’s murder of Abner by an ambush at the gate—another instance of Joab’s ruthless, politically motivated killing of a rival commander.
- 2 Samuel 20:10 (thematic): Joab kills Amasa by stabbing him while feigning embrace—parallels Joab’s use of close, treacherous violence to remove rivals and reassert control.
- 1 Kings 2:31-34 (thematic): Solomon’s execution of Joab for his killings—presents the later consequence and royal judgment flowing from Joab’s pattern of extrajudicial violence (including Absalom’s death).
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Joab said, "Far be it from me!" and he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom's heart while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
- Joab said, 'Far be it from me!' and took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the midst of the oak.
2 S.18.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- נערים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נשאי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אבשלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימיתהו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,pl,obj3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2Sam.18:14 (structural): Immediate context: Joab thrusts three spears into Absalom and then the armor‑bearers complete the killing; v.15 continues and completes the same action.
- 2Sam.3:27 (thematic): Joab's murder of Abner — another instance of Joab (or his initiative) carrying out an extrajudicial killing of a rival commander, paralleling the violent elimination of a political threat.
- 2Sam.4:6-8 (thematic): Baanah and Rechab (soldiers/servants) kill Ish‑bosheth and bring his head to David — a similar motif of subordinates killing a rival king and reporting the deed.
- 1Kgs.2:31-34 (thematic): Benaiah executes Joab on Solomon's orders for past murders — a later act of retributive justice linked to the cycle of killings in which Joab participated (including Absalom's death).
Alternative generated candidates
- And ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him.
- Then ten young men who bore Joab's weapons surrounded and struck Absalom and killed him.
2 S.18.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתקע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשפר: PREP
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מרדף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחרי: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- חשך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יואב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Sam 2:28 (verbal): Joab blows the trumpet to stop the pursuit and the people desist — nearly identical language and action to 2 Sam 18:16.
- Judg 7:20-22 (thematic): Gideon’s men blow trumpets in the midst of battle, producing confusion among the enemy and altering the course of the pursuit — similar use of trumpet as a decisive battlefield signal.
- Num 10:5-6 (structural): Instruction that trumpets are to be sounded to summon the community and signal movement in warfare — provides the institutional background for using a trumpet to control troop movements as in 2 Sam 18:16.
- 1 Sam 17:52 (thematic): After David’s victory the Israelite forces pursue the Philistines and then return — thematically parallel to the movement of troops in pursuit and the subsequent halt/return described in 2 Sam 18:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people turned back from pursuing Israel; for Joab restrained the people.
- Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops who were pursuing Israel turned back, for Joab checked the people.
2 S.18.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אבשלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישליכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ביער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הפחת: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ויצבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- גל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאהליו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 7:25-26 (verbal): Achan is stoned and a great heap of stones is piled over him—directly parallels the image of piling stones on an executed offender as a communal act of judgment and memorial.
- Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (thematic): Legal treatment of one executed and exposed—addresses communal handling and burial of condemned persons, providing a legal-theological background to practices like piling stones or disposing of a body.
- 2 Samuel 18:14 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: Joab’s killing of Absalom (the act of violence that precedes the disposal in v.17), linking the manner of death with the subsequent treatment of the corpse.
- 2 Samuel 18:18 (thematic): Contrast within the same episode: David’s erected monument (tselem/pillar) to preserve Absalom’s name versus the heap of stones placed over his body—shows competing commemorative gestures.
- 1 Samuel 31:12-13 (thematic): Treatment of the bodies of fallen leaders after battle (Saul and his sons taken by the men of Jabesh‑Gilead and burned/buried) — a parallel concern with the community’s handling and disposition of royal corpses after defeat.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and they set over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled, every man to his tent.
- They took Absalom and threw him into a large pit in the forest and piled over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled, every man to his tent.
2 S.18.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואבשלם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויצב: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בחייו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מצבת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בעמק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אין: PART,neg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעבור: PREP
- הזכיר: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- למצבת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- על: PREP
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבשלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 28:18-22 (verbal): Jacob 'set up a pillar' (מַצֵּבָה) and named the place Bethel — direct verbal/functional parallel: erecting a stone monument and naming a site to mark and secure memory.
- Genesis 35:19-20 (verbal): Jacob 'set up a pillar' over Rachel's grave and the site is named — closely parallels Absalom's erection of a pillar and naming it for remembrance.
- Joshua 4:6-7,20-24 (structural): Israel sets twelve stones as a public memorial so future generations will remember the crossing of the Jordan — structural parallel in using erected stones as communal memory devices.
- Isaiah 56:5 (thematic): God's promise to give a 'name and a monument' that will not be cut off echoes the theme of securing one's name/legacy through a lasting memorial.
- Judges 9:6-20 (thematic): The account and Jotham's parable about Abimelech highlight self-seeking ambition and efforts to secure rule and reputation — thematically comparable to Absalom's self-commemoration and desire for lasting renown.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillar in the King's Valley, for he said, "I have no son to preserve my name." He called the pillar by his own name; and it is called to this day, "Absalom's Monument."
- Now Absalom in his lifetime had set up for himself a pillar in the King's Valley; for he said, 'I have no son to preserve my name.' He called the pillar by his own name; it is called to this day Absalom's Monument.
And David reviewed the people who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
David sent the people—one third under Joab, one third under Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, "I will also go out with you." But the people said, "You shall not go out; for if we flee, they will not pay attention to us, and if half of us die, they will not pay attention to us. Now we are ten thousand men; it is better that there be a city for us to flee to."
The king said to them, "Do what seems best to you." So the king stood at the entrance of the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
The king charged Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Be gentle with the young man Absalom." And all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning Absalom.
The people went out to the field to meet the men of Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.
There the men of Israel were struck down before David's servants; and there was a great slaughter that day—twenty thousand.
The battle spread over the face of the whole country, and the forest swallowed up more people that day than the sword did.
Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, so that Absalom's head caught fast in the oak and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.
A man saw it and told Joab, "I saw Absalom hanging in an oak."
Joab said to the man who told him, "You saw him—why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt."
The man answered Joab, "Far be it from me—though I were weighed down with a thousand pieces of silver—I would not put out my hand against the king's son. For in our hearing the king had charged you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, 'Guard the young man Absalom.'"
If I had done this thing—may it be false before my own soul—then would all be hidden from the king, and you would bring guilt upon yourself. But Joab said, "By no means!" and he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the midst of the oak.
Then ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded and struck Absalom and killed him.
Joab blew the trumpet, and the people ceased the pursuit of Israel, for Joab restrained the people.
They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and they raised over him a very large heap of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his tent.
Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King's Valley, for he said, "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance." So he called the pillar after his own name; it is called to this day Absalom's Monument.