And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
Parallel translations
- WEB Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held the people back.
- BSB Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab had restrained them.
- NKJV So Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel. For Joab held back the people.
- NASB Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people.
- NLT Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joab sounds the trumpet to halt the pursuit, sparing further bloodshed. With Absalom dead, the war is ended.
Overview
Having killed Absalom, Joab restrains the army from continuing the slaughter, recalling the troops. The act of mercy toward the broader people, even from a ruthless commander, limits Israel's losses. The verse shows the rebellion's collapse the moment its head is removed, ending the fratricidal conflict.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 2 Sam 20:22Then 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.
- 2 Sam 2:28So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
- Num 10:2–10Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
- 1 Cor 14:8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 18:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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