2 Samuel 18:13 web — Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself woul…

World English Bible

"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.""

— 2 Samuel 18:13, World English Bible

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2 Samuel 18:13 in Other Translations

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2 Samuel 18 — Context

10

A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, "Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak."

11

Joab said to the man who told him, "Behold, you saw it, and why didn't you strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver, and a sash."

12

The man said to Joab, "Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn't put forth my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, 'Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.'

13

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."

14

Then Joab said, "I'm not going to wait like this with you." He took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

15

Ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him.

16

Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held back the people.

2 Samuel 18:13 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Samuel 18:13 say?
2 Samuel 18:13 in the World English Bible reads: “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."”
Where is 2 Samuel 18:13 in the Bible?
2 Samuel 18:13 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 18, verse 13.
Who wrote 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Nathan and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 2 Samuel about?
2 Samuel records David's reign — his rise to the throne, the conquest of Jerusalem, the eternal covenant God makes with his house, and the moral failure with Bathsheba that fractures his family. From the highs of triumph to the depths of repentance, David remains the messianic prototype.
What are the major themes of 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel explores themes including Davidic Covenant, Sin & Repentance, Kingdom, Mercy, Consequences. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Samuel 18:13.
What translation should I read 2 Samuel 18:13 in?
2 Samuel 18:13 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Samuel 18:13?
2 Samuel 18:13 reads (WEB): “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."” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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