Definition: And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand [shekels] of silver in mine hand, [yet] would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none [touch] the young man Absalom.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 18:12. It's a really important passage about leadership and responsibility! Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Situation: David is dealing with Joab: David is having a difficult conversation with his trusted advisor, Joab. A Huge Reward: David offers Joab a significant amount of money – a thousand silver coins (which was a lot at the time!). Joab’s Hesitation: Joab is incredibly reluctant to give this money to the king's son, Absalom. What’s the Key Point? Joab is saying he wouldn’t use his power to harm or threaten the young man, Absalom. He’s worried about it happening. The Translation Breakdown – It’s a bit tricky! The verse is written in Hebrew and is translated as follows: “And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand [shekels] of silver in mine hand, [yet] would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none [touch] the young man Absalom.” Let's unpack each part: “The man said unto Joab…” – This establishes a conversation between David and Joab. “…Though I should receive a thousand [shekels] of silver in mine hand…” - David is offering Joab a large sum of money. The word "shekels" refers to a unit of currency at the time, likely a small amount of coins. “yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son” – This is the crucial part. David isn't willing to use his power to harm Absalom. He doesn't want to get involved in a conflict or take action that could threaten him. “…for in our hearing…” - This means that someone told Joab what happened. “…the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none [touch] the young man Absalom.” – The king (King David’s authority) told Joab and his companions: "Beware that none touch the young man Absalom." What does it all mean? This verse highlights several important themes: David's Authority: It shows David is in control, and he isn’t allowing anyone to interfere with the king’s decisions. Protecting the Young: It emphasizes that David prioritizes protecting young people like Absalom, who is vulnerable. Duty & Responsibility: It underscores the idea that David has a responsibility to act justly and not take advantage of his power for personal gain. In short, this verse shows David’s careful planning and concern for the well-being of young people. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Give an example of how this verse might be used in a story or situation?