II Samuel 14
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Commentaries
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A woman of Tekoah, by the advice of Joab, comes to the king; and by a fictitious story persuades him to recall Absalom, vv. 1-20. Joab is permitted to go to Geshur, and bring Absalom from thence, Sa2 14:21-23. Absalom comes to Jerusalem to his own house, but is forbidden to see the king's face, Sa2 14:24. An account of Absalom's beauty, and the extraordinary weight of his hair, Sa2 14:25, Sa2 14:26. His children, Sa2 14:27. He strives to regain the king's favor, and employs Joab as an intercessor, Sa2 14:28-32. David is reconciled to him, Sa2 14:33.
Open source ↗JOAB INSTRUCTS A WOMAN OF TEKOAH. (2Sa. 14:1-21) And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman--The king was strongly attached to Absalom; and having now got over his sorrow for the violent death of Amnon, he was desirous of again enjoying the society of his favorite son, who had now been three long years absent. But a dread of public opinion and a regard to the public interests made him hesitate about recalling or pardoning his guilty son; and Joab, whose discerning mind perceived this struggle between parental affection and royal duty, devised a plan for relieving the scruples, and, at the same time, gratifying the wishes, of his master. Having procured a countrywoman of superior intelligence and address, he directed her to seek an audience of the king, and by soliciting his royal interposition in the settlement of a domestic grievance, convinced him that the life of a murderer might in some cases be saved. Tekoah was about twelve miles south of Jerusalem, and six south of Beth-lehem; and the design of bringing a woman from such a distance was to prevent either the petitioner being known, or the truth of her story easily investigated. Her speech was in the form of a parable--the circumstances--the language--the manner--well suited to the occasion, represented a case as like David's as it was policy to make it, so as not to be prematurely discovered. Having got the king pledged, she avowed it to be her design to satisfy the royal conscience, that in pardoning Absalom he was doing nothing more than he would have done in the case of a stranger, where there could be no imputation of partiality. The device succeeded; David traced its origin to Joab; and, secretly pleased at obtaining the judgment of that rough, but generally sound-thinking soldier, he commission…
Open source ↗Now Joab the son of Zeruiah,.... The general of David's army: perceived that the king's heart was towards Absalom; and longed to have him returned, though he knew not how to bring it about with credit to himself, his crime being so foul, and worthy of death. This Joab perceived by some words he now and then dropped, and by his conduct, not seeking by any ways and means to bring him to justice, and being now reconciled to the death of Amnon; wherefore Joab devised a way to make known to him his own mind, and the sense of the people, which would serve to encourage him to restore him; and the rather Joab was inclined to take such a step, as he knew it would establish him in the king's favour, and ingratiate him into the affection of Absalom, the next heir to the crown, as well as please the people, whose darling he was. Though Abarbinel is of opinion that Joab proceeded upon another view of things, not because he saw the heart and affection of David were towards Absalom, but the reverse; that though David restrained himself and his servants from going out after Absalom, yet Joab knew that the heart of the king was against him, and that his heart was to take vengeance on him, though he did not go out to seek him; he perceived there was still enmity and hatred in his heart to take vengeance on Absalom, and therefore he took the following method to remove it, and reconcile his mind to him; and so the Targum,"and Joab the son of Zeruiah knew that the heart of the king was to go, out against Absalom;''and it may be observed, that when Joab had so far prevailed upon him as to admit him to bring him back to Jerusalem, he would not suffer him to see his face, nor did he for two years after.
Open source ↗When Joab perceived that the king's heart was against Absalom, he sent for a cunning woman from Tekoah, to work upon the king and change his mind, so that he might grant forgiveness to Absalom. Sa2 14:1 is understood by the majority of commentators, in accordance with the Syriac and Vulgate, as signifying that Joab learned that the king's heart was inclined towards Absalom, was well disposed towards him again. But this explanation is neither philologically sustained, nor in accordance with the context. לב, written with על and without any verb, so that היה has to be supplied, only occurs again in Dan 11:28, where the preposition has the meaning "against." It is no argument against this meaning here, that if David had been ill disposed towards Absalom, there would have been no necessity to state that Joab perceived it; for we cannot see why Joab should only have perceived or noticed David's friendly feelings, and not his unfriendly feelings as well. If, however, Joab had noticed the re-awakening of David's good feelings towards Absalom, there would have been no necessity for him to bring the cunning woman from Tekoah to induce him to consent to Absalom's return. Moreover, David would not in that case have refused to allow Absalom to see his face for two whole years after his return to Jerusalem (Sa2 14:24). Tekoah, the home of the prophet Amos, the present Tekua, two hours to the south of Bethlehem (see at Jos 15:59, lxx). The "wise woman" was to put on mourning, as a woman who had been mourning for a long while for some one that was dead (התאבּל, to set or show herself mourning), and to go to the king in this attire, and say what Joab had put into her mouth. Sa2 14:4 The woman did this. All the old translators have given as the rendering of האשּׁה ותּאמר "the woman came…
Open source ↗Here is, I. Joab's design to get Absalom recalled out of banishment, his crime pardoned, and his attainder reversed, Sa2 14:1. Joab made himself very busy in this affair. 1. As a courtier that was studious, by all ways possible, to ingratiate himself with his prince and improve his interest in his favour: He perceived that the king's heart was towards Absalom, and that, the heat of his displeasure being over, he still retained his old affection for him, and only wanted a friend to court him to be reconciled, and to contrive for him how he might do it without impeaching the honour of his justice. Joab, finding how David stood affected, undertook this good office. 2. As a friend to Absalom, for whom perhaps he had a particular kindness, whom at least he looked upon as the rising sun, to whom it was his interest to recommend himself. He plainly foresaw that his father would at length be reconciled to him, and therefore thought he should make both his friends if he were instrumental to bring it about. 3. As a statesman, and one concerned for the public welfare. He knew how much Absalom was the darling of the people, and, if David should die while he was in banishment, it might occasion a civil war between those that were for him and those that were against him; for it is probable that though all Israel loved his person, yet they were much divided upon his case. 4. As one who was himself a delinquent, by the murder of Abner. He was conscious to himself of the guilt of blood, and that he was himself obnoxious to public justice, and therefore whatever favour he could procure to be shown to Absalom would corroborate his reprieve. II. His contrivance to do it by laying somewhat of a parallel case before the king, which was done so dexterously by the person he employed that the k…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צְרוּיָה (Tsᵉrûwyâh, H6870) — Tserujah, an Israelitess יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (ʼĂbîyshâlôwm, H53) — Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite
Open source ↗יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) תְּקוֹעַ (Tᵉqôwaʻ, H8620) — Tekoa, a place in Palestine לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… אֵבֶל (ʼêbel, H60) — lamentation בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage סוּךְ (çûwk, H5480) — properly, to smear over (with oil), i.e. anoint שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman תְּקוֹעִי (Tᵉqôwʻîy, H8621) — a Tekoite or inhabitant of Tekoah אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲבָל (ʼăbâl, H61) — nay, i.e. truly or yet אַלְמָנָה (ʼalmânâh, H490) — a widow; also a desolate place אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נָצָה (nâtsâh, H5327) — properly, to go forth, i.e. (by implication) to be expelled, and (consequently) desolate;… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… כָּבָה (kâbâh, H3518) — to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger) גֶּחֶל (gechel, H1513) — an ember
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman תְּקוֹעִי (Tᵉqôwʻîy, H8621) — a Tekoite or inhabitant of Tekoah אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) נָקִי (nâqîy, H5355) — innocent
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… שַׂעֲרָה (saʻărâh, H8185) — hairiness נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or…
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אָשֵׁם (ʼâshêm, H818) — guilty; hence, presenting asin-offering שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to…
Open source ↗מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen נָגַר (nâgar, H5064) — to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
The king was shaken and went up to the gate chamber and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.”
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.