2 Samuel 18:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David openly charges his commanders to spare Absalom, and all the army hears the plea for the rebel son.
What Does 2 Samuel 18:5 Mean?
Before the troops depart, David gives his captains a tender command: handle Absalom gently for his father's sake. Though Absalom has seized the throne and seeks his father's death, David still names him 'the young man,' and the whole army overhears the king's heart.
Here is a father's love that refuses to harden, even toward a son who has betrayed him. David longs for mercy where justice might demand otherwise, a faint echo of the God who is patient toward rebels and not willing that any should perish. Such love does not excuse the wrong, but it keeps the door of grace open.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 18:5
What does 2 Samuel 18:5 mean?
David openly charges his commanders to spare Absalom, and all the army hears the plea for the rebel son.