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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 20:20. It's a really important moment in the story of David and his army. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Joab is rejecting a dangerous and potentially disastrous idea. Let’s unpack it: “And Joab answered…” : This tells us we’re hearing from Joab, one of David's advisors. “…and said, Far be it, far be it from me…” : This is the core of the verse. "Far be it" is a Hebrew phrase that means “do not do this!” or “don’t.” Joab is saying he doesn’t want to do something very serious. “…that I should swallow up or destroy” : This is the dangerous part. Joab isn't just rejecting the idea, he’s suggesting a destructive action – swallowing up or destroying something. It implies a plan to harm or ruin. What does this suggest about the situation? This verse comes after David has been offered a very tempting and potentially very risky proposition: to take a large portion of the enemy's prisoners, including many of their most valuable soldiers. Joab is resisting this offer because he understands it’s incredibly dangerous. Overall Meaning: It’s a moment of hesitation and caution. Joab recognizes the potential for terrible consequences if his advisors try to force him into an action that could cause immense harm. It shows a strong sense of moral responsibility and a reluctance to take a gamble with lives and potentially devastating results. Context is Key (Important!) This verse happens after David has just received a significant victory, but he’s feeling worried about the implications of his actions. He's weighing the risks versus the reward. --- Do you want to explore any of these aspects in more detail? For example: We could discuss the context of the story – why is David considering this offer? We could delve deeper into the meaning of "Far be it"?