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2 Samuel 18:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 18:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held back the people.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held back the people.
2 Samuel 18:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
19Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that Jehovah hath avenged him of his enemies.
← 2 Samuel 18:152 Samuel 18:17 →
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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 Joab blew the trumpet, etc.] As the sign of a retreat: and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; upon the sound of the trumpet, the meaning of which they understood: for Joab held back the people: from shedding any more blood; the head of the conspiracy being removed, the thing would be crushed at once; and Joab neither chose to slay any more, nor take any prisoners, to be tried as traitors, being unawares, without thought, drawn into this rebellion.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Joab blew the trumpet, . . . and held back the people--Knowing that by the death of the usurper there was no occasion for further bloodshed, he put an end to the pursuit and thereby evinced the temperate policy of his conduct. However harsh and unfeeling to the king Joab may appear, there can be no doubt that he acted the part of a wise statesman in regarding the peace and welfare of the kingdom more than his master's private inclinations, which were opposed to strict justice as well as his own interests. Absalom deserved to die by the divine law (Deu 21:18, Deu 21:21), as well as being an enemy to his king and country; and no time was more fitting than when he met that death in open battle.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Blew the trumpet - To stop the pursuit and slaughter 2 Samuel 2:28; 2 Samuel 20:22. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“blew the trumpet: Sa2 2:28, Sa2 20:22; Num 10:2-10; Co1 14:8 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 18:17”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Immediately afterwards Joab stopped any further pursuit, "for Joab spared the people," i.e., he wanted to spare them. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 18:17”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification