2 Samuel 19:6 Meaning and Explanation
“In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joab charges that David's grief makes it seem he loves his enemies and despises the friends who fought for him.
What Does 2 Samuel 19:6 Mean?
Joab presses his accusation to its sharpest point. By mourning Absalom while ignoring his defenders, David appears to value the rebel above the loyal. Joab claims the king would have been content had Absalom survived and all his soldiers fallen instead. The charge overstates the case, but it stings because it touches a truth about how grief can blind.
Sorrow can so fix the heart on one loss that it forgets every present blessing. Joab's exaggeration is meant to jolt David awake. The lesson is sober: love misordered, even genuine love, can wound the faithful. Gratitude to those who serve us is itself a form of love we owe.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 19:6
What does 2 Samuel 19:6 mean?
Joab charges that David's grief makes it seem he loves his enemies and despises the friends who fought for him.