II Samuel 14: The Seeds of Rebellion
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.
And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.
And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.
And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the Lord thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.
For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.
For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee.
Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:
To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight.
And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
II Samuel 14 tells a compelling story of reconciliation, manipulation, and the complex relationship between a king and his son. This chapter acts as a bridge, connecting Absalom's exile to his eventual rebellion, and reveals the deep-seated issues within David's family and kingdom. The narrative unfolds with the cunning intervention of Joab, a wise woman's carefully crafted tale, and David's struggle to balance justice and mercy.
A Plan for Reconciliation (14:1-7)
David, though longing for Absalom's return, hesitated, likely aware that a simple pardon would undermine the seriousness of Absalom's crime and potentially alienate his people. Joab, ever the strategist, devised a plan, employing a woman from Tekoa, a town about ten miles south of Jerusalem. This woman, known for her wisdom, was instructed to present a carefully constructed narrative to the king (II Samuel 14:1-3).
The woman's story was designed to mirror David's own predicament. She pretended to be a widow whose two sons had fought, resulting in one's death. Now, the clan demanded the guilty son's execution, threatening to extinguish her husband's lineage (II Samuel 14:4-6). Her plea was for David to intervene and prevent this from happening, invoking the importance of preserving her family's name (II Samuel 14:7).
David's Dilemma (14:8-11)
David, moved by her story, promised to protect her son (II Samuel 14:8). The woman, however, pressed further, cleverly maneuvering David into a corner. She insisted that David himself would be responsible if the revenge killing wasn't stopped (II Samuel 14:9). David, showing remarkable patience, assured her that anyone who harmed her son would answer to him (II Samuel 14:10). Unsatisfied, she sought a solemn vow, compelling David to swear by the Lord to protect her son from bloodshed. David relented, declaring, "As the LORD lives...not a hair of your son will fall to the ground" (II Samuel 14:11).
The Revelation (14:12-14)
With David's vow secured, the woman revealed the true purpose of her visit, echoing Nathan's confrontation in II Samuel 12:1-7. She essentially told David, "You are the man" (II Samuel 14:12-14). By readily offering clemency to her "son," David had implicitly condemned himself for withholding it from Absalom. The woman highlighted the inconsistency: David was willing to grant mercy to a hypothetical murderer but not to his own son. This poignant revelation struck at the heart of David's dilemma.
The Unveiling of Joab's Scheme (14:15-24)
The woman then attempted to downplay her involvement, suggesting that her concern was solely for her own situation (II Samuel 14:15-17). However, David, now suspicious, saw through her disguise and correctly identified Joab as the mastermind behind the charade (II Samuel 14:19-20). Interestingly, David didn't express anger towards Joab, perhaps recognizing that Joab's intentions were rooted in the king's best interests. David then granted Joab permission to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem (II Samuel 14:21). However, this reconciliation was incomplete. David stipulated that Absalom could return to Jerusalem but was forbidden from seeing the king's face (II Samuel 14:24). This half-hearted attempt at reconciliation foreshadowed future problems.
Absalom's Beauty and Pride (14:25-26)
The narrative then shifts to describe Absalom's physical appearance: "No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as he" (II Samuel 14:25). He was physically flawless. This description is not merely aesthetic; it highlights Absalom's charisma and ability to captivate people, qualities that would later contribute to his rebellion. Unfortunately, Absalom's outward perfection masked an inner flaw: pride. He began to believe the hype, developing an inflated ego that would ultimately lead to his downfall.
Frustration and Reconciliation (14:27-33)
After two years of living in Jerusalem without seeing his father, Absalom grew increasingly frustrated (II Samuel 14:28). He repeatedly tried to enlist Joab's help in arranging a meeting with David, but Joab refused (II Samuel 14:29). In a desperate attempt to get Joab's attention, Absalom ordered his servants to set fire to Joab's barley field (II Samuel 14:30). This drastic measure finally worked. Joab, angered by Absalom's actions, agreed to intercede with David. Finally, David summoned Absalom, who came before him and paid homage. "Then the king kissed Absalom" (II Samuel 14:33). While this reunion seemed positive on the surface, it was ultimately "too little, too late." The underlying issues remained unresolved, setting the stage for the tragic events to come.
II Samuel 14 serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of family relationships, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the importance of complete reconciliation. While David and Absalom were physically reunited, the emotional and relational distance between them remained, ultimately contributing to the kingdom's turmoil. This chapter highlights the devastating consequences of unresolved conflict and the subtle ways in which pride can corrupt even the most outwardly impressive individuals.
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.
And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.
And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.
And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the Lord thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.
For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.
For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee.
Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:
To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight.
And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
II Samuel 14 tells a compelling story of reconciliation, manipulation, and the complex relationship between a king and his son. This chapter acts as a bridge, connecting Absalom's exile to his eventual rebellion, and reveals the deep-seated issues within David's family and kingdom. The narrative unfolds with the cunning intervention of Joab, a wise woman's carefully crafted tale, and David's struggle to balance justice and mercy.
A Plan for Reconciliation (14:1-7)
David, though longing for Absalom's return, hesitated, likely aware that a simple pardon would undermine the seriousness of Absalom's crime and potentially alienate his people. Joab, ever the strategist, devised a plan, employing a woman from Tekoa, a town about ten miles south of Jerusalem. This woman, known for her wisdom, was instructed to present a carefully constructed narrative to the king (II Samuel 14:1-3).
The woman's story was designed to mirror David's own predicament. She pretended to be a widow whose two sons had fought, resulting in one's death. Now, the clan demanded the guilty son's execution, threatening to extinguish her husband's lineage (II Samuel 14:4-6). Her plea was for David to intervene and prevent this from happening, invoking the importance of preserving her family's name (II Samuel 14:7).
David's Dilemma (14:8-11)
David, moved by her story, promised to protect her son (II Samuel 14:8). The woman, however, pressed further, cleverly maneuvering David into a corner. She insisted that David himself would be responsible if the revenge killing wasn't stopped (II Samuel 14:9). David, showing remarkable patience, assured her that anyone who harmed her son would answer to him (II Samuel 14:10). Unsatisfied, she sought a solemn vow, compelling David to swear by the Lord to protect her son from bloodshed. David relented, declaring, "As the LORD lives...not a hair of your son will fall to the ground" (II Samuel 14:11).
The Revelation (14:12-14)
With David's vow secured, the woman revealed the true purpose of her visit, echoing Nathan's confrontation in II Samuel 12:1-7. She essentially told David, "You are the man" (II Samuel 14:12-14). By readily offering clemency to her "son," David had implicitly condemned himself for withholding it from Absalom. The woman highlighted the inconsistency: David was willing to grant mercy to a hypothetical murderer but not to his own son. This poignant revelation struck at the heart of David's dilemma.
The Unveiling of Joab's Scheme (14:15-24)
The woman then attempted to downplay her involvement, suggesting that her concern was solely for her own situation (II Samuel 14:15-17). However, David, now suspicious, saw through her disguise and correctly identified Joab as the mastermind behind the charade (II Samuel 14:19-20). Interestingly, David didn't express anger towards Joab, perhaps recognizing that Joab's intentions were rooted in the king's best interests. David then granted Joab permission to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem (II Samuel 14:21). However, this reconciliation was incomplete. David stipulated that Absalom could return to Jerusalem but was forbidden from seeing the king's face (II Samuel 14:24). This half-hearted attempt at reconciliation foreshadowed future problems.
Absalom's Beauty and Pride (14:25-26)
The narrative then shifts to describe Absalom's physical appearance: "No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as he" (II Samuel 14:25). He was physically flawless. This description is not merely aesthetic; it highlights Absalom's charisma and ability to captivate people, qualities that would later contribute to his rebellion. Unfortunately, Absalom's outward perfection masked an inner flaw: pride. He began to believe the hype, developing an inflated ego that would ultimately lead to his downfall.
Frustration and Reconciliation (14:27-33)
After two years of living in Jerusalem without seeing his father, Absalom grew increasingly frustrated (II Samuel 14:28). He repeatedly tried to enlist Joab's help in arranging a meeting with David, but Joab refused (II Samuel 14:29). In a desperate attempt to get Joab's attention, Absalom ordered his servants to set fire to Joab's barley field (II Samuel 14:30). This drastic measure finally worked. Joab, angered by Absalom's actions, agreed to intercede with David. Finally, David summoned Absalom, who came before him and paid homage. "Then the king kissed Absalom" (II Samuel 14:33). While this reunion seemed positive on the surface, it was ultimately "too little, too late." The underlying issues remained unresolved, setting the stage for the tragic events to come.
II Samuel 14 serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of family relationships, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the importance of complete reconciliation. While David and Absalom were physically reunited, the emotional and relational distance between them remained, ultimately contributing to the kingdom's turmoil. This chapter highlights the devastating consequences of unresolved conflict and the subtle ways in which pride can corrupt even the most outwardly impressive individuals.