2 Samuel 20:20 kjv — And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

King James Version

"And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy."

— 2 Samuel 20:20, King James Version

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2 Samuel 20:20 in Other Translations

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2 Samuel 20 — Context

17

And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.

18

Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.

19

I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?

20

And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

21

The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.

22

Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

23

Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:

2 Samuel 20:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Samuel 20:20 say?
2 Samuel 20:20 in the King James Version reads: “And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.”
Where is 2 Samuel 20:20 in the Bible?
2 Samuel 20:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 20, verse 20.
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 20:20.
What translation should I read 2 Samuel 20:20 in?
2 Samuel 20:20 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 20:20?
2 Samuel 20:20 reads (KJV): “And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.” 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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