I may not tarry thus with thee; I must not lose time in contending with thee till I let the occasion slip.
Through the heart of Absalom; not properly so called, for he was yet alive after these wounds, and was slain, 2Sa_18:15; but through his middle, as the word heart is oft used, as Psa_46:2, and that too not exactly, but more largely understood, as Deu_4:11Eze_27:4Mat_12:40; or through his body; which might be, and yet the wounds not mortal.
While he was yet alive, or, yet he continued alive, i.e. the darts did not despatch him, and therefore they smite him again, and kill him, 2Sa_18:15.