2 Samuel 18:11

“And Joab said unto the man that told him, etc.] That gave the above account of him: and, behold, thou sawest [him]; in reality; or, “didst thou see him?” is it a fact? and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground; kill him on the spot, that he might have dropped from the tree to the ground: and I would have given thee ten [shekels] of silver; on the news of it, for doing it, which was near twenty four shillings of our money; Josephus says f307 fifty shekels; the Arabic version has it ten thousand talents of silver, too great a sum by far: and a girdle? which was a mark of great honour, and a token of a commission under him, and of investing: him with a military office; (see <091804>…”

“Joab said unto the man that told him, . . . I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle--that is, would have raised him from the ranks to the status of a commissioned officer. Besides a sum of money, a girdle, curiously and richly wrought, was among the ancient Hebrews a mark of honor, and sometimes bestowed as a reward of military merit. This soldier, however, who may be taken as a fair sample of David's faithful subjects, had so great a respect for the king's wishes, that no prospect of reward would have tempted him to lay violent hands on Absalom. But Joab's stern sense of public duty, which satisfied him that there could be neither safety to the king, nor peace to the…”

“Ten shekels - (About 25 shillings.) The word “shekel” is understood, as in Genesis 20:16; Genesis 37:28. See the Exodus 38:24 note. A girdle - Girdles were costly articles of Hebrew dress used to put money in Matthew 10:9, and given as presents 1 Samuel 18:4. return to 'Top of Page'”

“18:11 Perhaps a hero’s belt was a sword belt that decorated a soldier for bravery and courage in battle (cp. 1 Sam 18:4).”