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2 Samuel 18:15

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 18:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And ten young men that bare Joab`s armor compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And ten young men that bare Joab`s armor compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
2 Samuel 18:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand [pieces of] silver in my hand, yet would I not put forth my 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.
13Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hid from the king), then thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against [me].
14Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15And ten young men that bare Joab`s armor compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held back the people.
17And they took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar, which is in the king`s dale; for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name; and it is called Absalom`s monument, unto this day.
← 2 Samuel 18:142 Samuel 18:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour, etc.] That waited upon him in the battle, to carry his armour, and supply him with it as he should have occasion; these, by his orders, compassed about, and smote Absalom, and slew him; they enclosed him that none might rescue him, and smote him with their spears or swords, or whatsoever armour they had, until it was a clear case that he was really dead. Joab in this disobeyed the king’s order, but provided for the good of the nation, and the safety of the king. The Jews observe f310, that measure for measure was given to Absalom; he was proud of his hair, (<101425>2 Samuel 14:25,26), and therefore was hanged by it, (<101809>2 Samuel 18:9); he lay…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Slew him - The darts did not dispatch him, and therefore they smote him again, and killed him. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 18:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:15 surrounded . . . and killed him: Perhaps Joab had his armor bearers finish the job so that he could make the case to David that he himself had not killed Absalom.”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification