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

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

And Joab, answering her, said, Far, far be it from me to be a cause of death or destruction;

And responding, Joab said: "May this be far, may this be far from me! May I not cast down, and may I not demolish.

Joab's character is strongly brought out in the transaction. Politic, decided, bold, and unscrupulous, but never needlessly cruel or impulsive, or even revengeful. No life is safe that stands in his way, but from policy he never sacrifices the most insignificant life without a purpose. (Compare 2-Samuel 2:27-30.)

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.

The woman's words made an impression upon Joab. He felt the truthfulness of her reproaches, and replied, "Far be it, far be it from me, to swallow up or destroy." אם, as in the case of oaths: "truly not."