2 Samuel 18:16

2Sa 18:16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

Ver. 16. For Joab held back the people.] From pursuing the rebels, as pitying their seduction: he knew as well how to use victory, as to get it, which Hannibal did not.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Sa 18:16. Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned — He knew Absalom’s men had been drawn unthinkingly into this rebellion, and would return to their duty, now they had none to head them. For Joab held back the people — Who otherwise, being highly incensed against the rebels, would have hotly pursued, and made still greater slaughter among them. In this Joab acted like a wise and merciful man, who wished to stop the further effusion of Israelitish blood.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For he had pity of the people, which was seduced by Absalom’s flattery.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

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.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 16. Joab blew the trumpet] He knew that the rebellion was now extinguished by the death of Absalom; and was not willing that any farther slaughter should be made of the deluded people.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(16) Blew the trumpet.—Comp. 2Sa_2:28; 2Sa_20:22. With the death of Absalom the rebellion was at an end, and Joab would stop further slaughter.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. blew the trumpet] Sounded the recall to stop further pursuit. Cp. ch. 2Sa_2:28, 2Sa_20:22.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Joab blew the trumpet,.... 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.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Blew the trumpet - To stop the pursuit and slaughter 2Sa 2:28; 2Sa 20:22.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Who otherwise were highly incensed against the rebels, and hotly pursued them. But the head of the rebellion being cut off, and the danger thereby past, be puts a stop to the effusion of Israelitish blood.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

HUSHAI’S MESSAGE TO DAVID, 2Sa_18:15-22.

16. Send quickly — Hushai seems to have feared that his counsel might not be followed, and so without delay apprizes the king of his danger.

The plains — Or, crossing places. See note on 2Sa_15:28.

Pass over — Cross the fords of the Jordan.

Swallowed up — Overwhelmed and destroyed by the numbers of the enemy that may speedily pursue.

16. Blew the trumpet — The signal for the people to come together: the death of Absalom virtually ending the rebellion.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Joab blew the trumpet. Stem and unscrupulous as he was, yet Joab is always statesmanlike. He had slain Absalom more for public than for private reasons, though he may have grimly remembered his own blazing barley field. But the rebellion being now crushed, further slaughter was impolitic, and would only cause sullen displeasure. The people, at the end of the verse, are those under Joab"s command, and a translation proposed by some, "Joab wished to spare the people," is to be rejected.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Immediately afterwards Joab stopped any further pursuit, "for Joab spared the people," i.e., he wanted to spare them.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the army returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab held back the army

This describes what Joab commanded by blowing the trumpet. AT: "Then Joab blew the trumpet to call back the army, and the army returned from pursuing Israel" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

returned from pursuing Israel

Here "Israel" refers to the Israelite army. AT: "returned from pursuing the Israelite army" (See: Synecdoche)

They took Absalom and threw him

"They took Absalom's body and threw it"

they buried his body under a very large pile of stones

After putting his body in the pit they covered it with a pile of stones. This can be stated more clearly. AT: "they covered his body with a huge pile of stones" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

while all Israel fled

Here "all Israel" refers to the Israelite soldiers. The word "fled" means "ran away." AT: "while all the Israelite soldiers ran away" (See: Synecdoche)

translationWords

trumpet

pit

bury

body

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.