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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 18:13 If I had jeopardized my own life--and nothing is hidden from the king--you would have abandoned me."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/18-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/10_2Sa_18_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 18:13 - Absalom Killed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I had jeopardized my own life--and nothing is hidden from the king--you would have abandoned me." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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For there is nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against <i>me.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have avoided <i>me.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Otherwise, if I had acted treacherously against his life (for nothing is hidden from the king) you yourself would have taken sides against me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I had jeopardized my own life—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I had jeopardized my own life—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Otherwise 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He always finds out what's going on. I would have been risking my life to kill Absalom, because you would have let me take the blame." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life, (and there is no matter hid from the king,) then thou thyself wouldest have stood aloof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If I had done something treacherous to him, would you have stood by me? Like everything else, it wouldn't stay hidden from the king."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But if I had disobeyed the king and killed Absalom, the king would have heard about it--he hears about everything--and you would not have defended me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If I had taken his life, the king would have uncovered everything about it, and you would never have protected me!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I had jeopardized my own life?and nothing is hidden from the king?you would have abandoned me.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If I had acted at risk of my own life--and nothing is hidden from the king!--you would have abandoned me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have dissociated yourself from me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against my own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldst have set thyself against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Otherwise, if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />or I had done a vain thing against my soul, and no matter is hid from the king, and you would station yourself opposite from [me].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> or I had done against my soul a vain thing, and no matter is hid from the king, and thou -- thou dost station thyself over-against.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Or I did falsehood upon his soul; and any word will not be hid from the king, and thou wilt stand opposite.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Yea and if I should have acted boldly against my own life, this could not have been hid from the king, and wouldst thou have stood by me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then too, if I had acted with such audacity, against my own life, this would never have been able to be hidden from the king. And would you then have stood by my side?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Had I been disloyal and killed him, it would all have come out before the king, and you would stand aloof.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if I should have done it, then I would have been guilty; and nothing would have been hidden from the king, and you yourself would have stood against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If I had done it by myself, I would have been guilty, and nothing is hidden from the King, and you would have been standing at the opposition!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against mine own life--and there is no matter hid from the king--then thou thyself wouldest have stood aloof.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />so as to do no harm to his life: and nothing of the matter will be concealed from the king, and thou wilt set thyself against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/18-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=5237" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Absalom Killed</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>The man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels of silver were weighed out into my hands, I would not raise my hand against the son of the king. For we heard the king command you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’ <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw- (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">I had jeopardized</a> <a href="/hebrew/8267.htm" title="8267: še·qer (N-ms) -- Deception, disappointment, falsehood. From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ḇə·nap̄·šō (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my own life—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3582.htm" title="3582: yik·kā·ḥêḏ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To hide. A primitive root; to secrete, by act or word; hence to destroy.">is hidden</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king—</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: wə·’at·tāh (Conj-w:: Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3320.htm" title="3320: tiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ (V-Hitpael-Imperf-2ms) -- To set or station oneself, take one's stand. A primitive root; to place; reflexively, to station, offer, continue.">would have abandoned</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: min·ne·ḡeḏ (Prep-m) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">me.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Exodus 23:1</a></span><br />“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Deuteronomy 19:10</a></span><br />Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-6.htm">1 Samuel 24:6</a></span><br />So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-14.htm">2 Samuel 1:14</a></span><br />So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-37.htm">2 Samuel 3:37</a></span><br />So on that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-19.htm">2 Samuel 14:19</a></span><br />So the king asked, “Is the hand of Joab behind all this?” The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything that my lord the king says. Yes, your servant Joab is the one who gave me orders; he told your maidservant exactly what to say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-32.htm">1 Kings 2:32</a></span><br />The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-19.htm">1 Kings 21:19</a></span><br />Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/15-3.htm">Psalm 15:3</a></span><br />who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-17.htm">Proverbs 6:17</a></span><br />haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-7.htm">Isaiah 59:7</a></span><br />Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-6.htm">Jeremiah 7:6</a></span><br />if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-4.htm">Matthew 27:4</a></span><br />“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Otherwise I should have worked falsehood against my own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me.</p><p class="hdg">sought</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/1-15.htm">2 Samuel 1:15,16</a></b></br> And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, <i>and</i> fall upon him. And he smote him that he died… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/4-10.htm">2 Samuel 4:10-12</a></b></br> When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who <i>thought</i> that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: … </p><p class="hdg">for there is no</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/14-19.htm">2 Samuel 14:19,20</a></b></br> And the king said, <i>Is not</i> the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, <i>As</i> thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a></b></br> Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things <i>are</i> naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/titus/3-9.htm">Aloof</a> <a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Concealed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-6.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-3.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Falsely</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-9.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-9.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-30.htm">Jeopardy</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-5.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-3.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-35.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-11.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-13.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-10.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-19.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-11.htm">Station</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-4.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-20.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-2.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-33.htm">Treacherously</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-20.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-11.htm">Wouldest</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-21.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/21-16.htm">Aloof</a> <a href="/job/6-10.htm">Concealed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-21.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-22.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/job/13-7.htm">Falsely</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-14.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-3.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-3.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-17.htm">Jeopardy</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-16.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-5.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-42.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-21.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-4.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-46.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-29.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-30.htm">Station</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-30.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-4.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-30.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-25.htm">Treacherously</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-16.htm">Wouldest</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-10.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-1.htm">David viewing the armies in their march gives them charge of Absalom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">The Israelites are sorely smitten in the wood of ephraim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">Absalom, hanging in an oak is slain by Joab, and cast into a pit</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">Absalom's place</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-19.htm">Ahimaaz and Cushi bring tidings to David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-33.htm">David mourns for Absalom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If I had jeopardized my own life—</b><br>This phrase reflects the speaker's awareness of the personal risk involved in disobeying King David's explicit command to deal gently with Absalom. The context is the rebellion led by Absalom against his father, King David. The speaker, a soldier, is responding to Joab, David's military commander, who is frustrated by the soldier's refusal to kill Absalom. The soldier's concern for his own life highlights the seriousness of royal commands in ancient Israel, where disobedience could lead to severe punishment or death. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the cost of loyalty and obedience, as seen in other narratives such as Daniel's refusal to worship the king's statue (Daniel 3).<p><b>and nothing is hidden from the king—</b><br>This phrase underscores the belief in the king's omniscience, a common perception in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. It suggests that King David, as God's anointed, has a special insight or divine guidance that allows him to be aware of events within his kingdom. This belief is echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as when Nathan the prophet reveals David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). The phrase also implies the futility of attempting to conceal actions from a divinely appointed leader, paralleling the idea that nothing is hidden from God (<a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a>).<p><b>you would have abandoned me.”</b><br>The soldier's statement to Joab indicates a lack of trust in Joab's loyalty or protection. Historically, Joab is known for his ruthless pragmatism and willingness to act independently of David's wishes, as seen in his previous actions (<a href="/2_samuel/3-27.htm">2 Samuel 3:27</a>, <a href="/2_samuel/20-10.htm">2 Samuel 20:10</a>). The soldier's fear of being abandoned reflects the political intrigue and shifting loyalties within David's court. This phrase also highlights the theme of betrayal and the precarious nature of human alliances, contrasting with the steadfast faithfulness of God, as seen in the covenant promises throughout Scripture (<a href="/deuteronomy/31-6.htm">Deuteronomy 31:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joab.htm">Joab</a></b><br>- The commander of King David's army, known for his military prowess and sometimes ruthless actions. He plays a crucial role in the events surrounding Absalom's rebellion.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/absalom.htm">Absalom</a></b><br>- The son of King David who rebelled against his father, leading to a civil war in Israel. His rebellion and subsequent death are central to this chapter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_david.htm">King David</a></b><br>- The second king of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who faces the painful rebellion of his son Absalom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_unnamed_soldier.htm">The unnamed soldier</a></b><br>- A soldier who refuses to kill Absalom despite Joab's command, citing the risk to his own life and the certainty that the king would find out.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_forest_of_ephraim.htm">The forest of Ephraim</a></b><br>- The location where the battle between David's forces and Absalom's forces takes place, leading to Absalom's death.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_authority.htm">Respect for Authority</a></b><br>The soldier's refusal to kill Absalom demonstrates a respect for King David's authority and commands. As Christians, we are called to respect and submit to the authorities God has placed over us, unless they directly contradict God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_and_accountability.htm">Integrity and Accountability</a></b><br>The soldier's awareness that "nothing is hidden from the king" reminds us of the importance of integrity and accountability in our actions. We should live with the understanding that God sees all and will hold us accountable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_to_stand_firm.htm">Courage to Stand Firm</a></b><br>Despite pressure from Joab, the soldier stands firm in his convictions. This teaches us the importance of having the courage to stand by our principles, even when faced with opposition or potential harm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The soldier's fear of being abandoned by Joab if he disobeyed the king highlights the potential consequences of disobedience. We must weigh our actions carefully, considering both earthly and divine consequences.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/david's_horsemen_capture__1,700_or_7,000.htm">When David defeated the King of Zobah, how many horsemen did he capture? One thousand and seven hundred (2 Samuel 8:4) Seven thousand (I Chronicles 18:4)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_sennacherib's_invasion_match_records.htm">2 Kings 18:13 - Does the timeline of Sennacherib's invasion align with known Assyrian records?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_abijah's_mother_michaiah_or_maachah.htm">What was King Abijah's mother's name: Michaiah (2 Chronicles 13:2) or Maachah (2 Chronicles 11:20), given Absalom's only daughter was Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_a_child_for_david's_sin.htm">In 2 Samuel 12:7-14, why would a just God inflict punishment on an innocent child for David's sin, seemingly contradicting Ezekiel 18:20?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Against mine own life.</span>--The English, like the Vulg., here follows the margin of the Hebrew; the LXX., in most MSS., following the text, has <span class= "ital">against his life. </span>Either makes a good sense, but the English is preferable. In this parley Joab thoroughly exposes his unscrupulous and self-willed character, and the man shows that he understood it.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Against mine own life.</span> Again the K'tib is better: "Or had I wrought perfidiously against his life - and nothing is hidden from the king - so wouldst thou have set thyself against me." Not only was the man faithful to the king, but he was perfectly aware of Joab's unscrupulous character. If only Absalom were put out of the way, Joab would have readily consented to the execution of the unimportant person who had been the means of gratifying his wish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/18-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אֽוֹ־</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I had jeopardized</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשִׂ֤יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my own life—</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנַפְשִׁי֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nap̄·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">and nothing</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is hidden</span><br /><span class="heb">יִכָּחֵ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(yik·kā·ḥêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3582.htm">Strong's 3582: </a> </span><span class="str2">To secrete, by act, word, to destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king—</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would have abandoned</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתְיַצֵּ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(tiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3320.htm">Strong's 3320: </a> </span><span class="str2">To set or station oneself, take one's stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me.”</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנֶּֽגֶד׃</span> <span class="translit">(min·ne·ḡeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/18-13.htm">2 Samuel 18:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/18-13.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 18:13 Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/18-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 18:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 18:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/18-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 18:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 18:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>