2 Samuel 20:20
◄  2 Samuel 20:20  ►
New International Version (©2011)
"Far be it from me!" Joab replied, "Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy!

New Living Translation (©2007)
And Joab replied, "Believe me, I don't want to devour or destroy your town!

English Standard Version (©2001)
Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy!

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Joab replied, "Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy!

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Joab protested: "Never! I do not want to destroy!

International Standard Version (©2012)
But Joab replied, "No way! No way! I'm not here to devour or destroy!

NET Bible (©2006)
Joab answered, "Get serious! I don't want to swallow up or destroy anything!

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Joab answered, "That's unthinkable! I don't wish to swallow [it] up or destroy [it].

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

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

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Joab answering said: God forbid, God forbid that I should, I do not throw down, nor destroy.

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

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

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

World English Bible
Joab answered, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

Young's Literal Translation
And Joab answereth and saith, 'Far be it -- far be it from me; I do not swallow up nor destroy.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:14-22 Justly is that place attacked, which dares to harbour a traitor; nor will the heart fare better which indulges rebellious lusts, that will not have Christ to reign over them. A discreet woman, by her prudent management, satisfied Joab, and yet saved the city. Wisdom is not confined to rank or sex; it consists not in deep knowledge; but in understanding how to act as matters arise, that troubles may be turned away and benefits secured. A great deal of mischief would be prevented, if contending parties would understand one another. Let both sides be undeceived. The single condition of peace is, the surrender of the traitor. It is so in God's dealing with the soul, when besieged by conviction and distress; sin is the traitor; the beloved lust is the rebel: part with that, cast away the transgression, and all shall be well. There is no peace on any other terms.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Joab answered and said, far be it from me, far be it from me,.... He repeats these words, to show how detestable it was to him to do what she suggested:

that I should swallow up or destroy; any in a violent and unrighteous manner, and especially a city of which she had given such a character for its greatness and worth, and for the peaceableness and fidelity of its inhabitants.

2 Samuel 20:20 Parallel Commentaries

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The Rebellion Stopped
…19I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: you seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why will you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? 20And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. 21The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall. …

2 Samuel 20:19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the LORD's inheritance?"
2 Samuel 20:21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I'll withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you from the wall."