‘Man of Blood’: 2 Sam 15–20

Abstract In this chapter, 2 Sam 15–20 is examined with particular attention being paid to Absalom’s war against David, his death at the hands of Joab, as well as David’s encounters with Shimei and Joab’s killing of Amasa. Shimei’s cursing of David as he flees Absalom’s coup (2 Sam 16) is a reminder that innocent Saulide blood has not been forgotten. While David accepts his guilt, when he rejects Abishai’s offer to kill Shimei, it likely reflects David’s mounting fear that if another Saulide is killed under the illegitimate guise of war, further Saulide ‘bloods’ will fall upon David’s house. In taking up the fate of Absalom and his war, the narrative confirms the fulfilment of the curse of the devouring sword (18:6–8). At the same time, the peculiarities of Absalom’s killing and Joab’s desire for it to be reported to David suggest that David’s failure to kill or curse Joab reflects his recognition that Joab’s killing of Absalom has redeemed Amnon’s blood. When Abishai offers again to kill Shimei on David’s return, David insists that Shimei be spared, lest his killing now add to the Saulide ‘bloods’ incurred by David’s refusal to execute Joab for killing Abner. David’s replacement of Joab with Amasa seems intended to check the threat of further ‘bloods’. However, when David fails to take action after Joab kills Amasa, it confirms how little Joab has to fear from his rival or David himself and that David’s fears of further bloodguilt are fully justified.