12 The man said to Joab, “Even if I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for (A)in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘[a]Protect for me the young man Absalom!’ 13 Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and (B)there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.” 14 Then Joab said, “I will not [b]waste time here with you.” (C)So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the [c]midst of the oak.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 18:12 So with some mss and the ancient versions; M.T. Take care whoever you are of
  2. 2 Samuel 18:14 Lit tarry thus
  3. 2 Samuel 18:14 Lit heart