2 Samuel 14

In this chapter, Joab, David's military commander, devises a plan to reconcile David with his estranged son, Absalom. Joab persuades a wise woman from Tekoa to present a parable to David, which mirrors his own situation with Absalom. The chapter showcases David’s struggle between his love for his son and the demands of justice, as well as Absalom's eventual return to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 14:1-3 (NKJV)
1 So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was concerned about Absalom.
2 And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead.
3 Go to the king and speak to him in this manner.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.

Joab senses that David is troubled over his estranged son Absalom. Although Absalom killed his brother Amnon, David still loves him. To resolve this, Joab brings a wise woman from Tekoa to present a case to the king, hoping to sway him emotionally. Joab instructs her to act as if she is in deep mourning, intending to provoke sympathy in David.

2 Samuel 14:4-5 (NKJV)
4 And when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and prostrated herself, and said, “Help, O king!”
5 Then the king said to her, “What troubles you?” And she answered, “Indeed I am a widow, my husband is dead.

The woman approaches King David, pleading for his help and presenting herself as a widow in distress. Her actions are meant to gain the king's attention and evoke his compassion. She establishes her vulnerable position, laying the groundwork for the story she will present.

2 Samuel 14:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Now your maidservant had two sons; and the two fought with each other in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him.
7 And now the whole family has risen up against your maidservant, and they said, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may execute him for the life of his brother whom he killed; and we will destroy the heir also.’ So they would extinguish my ember that is left, and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the earth.”

The woman’s story mirrors David’s situation with Absalom. She claims to have had two sons, one of whom killed the other in a fight. Now, her family seeks to execute the surviving son, which would leave her with no heir. This appeal highlights the tension between justice and mercy, similar to David’s dilemma regarding Absalom.

2 Samuel 14:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you.”
9 And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, let the iniquity be on me and on my father’s house, and the king and his throne be guiltless.”
10 So the king said, “Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you anymore.”

David is moved by the woman’s plea and tells her to return home, promising to issue a decree in her favor. However, the woman insists that any blame for sparing her son should fall on her, not the king. David reassures her that he will protect her and her son from anyone who seeks to harm them.

2 Samuel 14:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Then she said, “Please let the king remember the Lord your God, and do not permit the avenger of blood to destroy anymore, lest they destroy my son.” And he said, “As the Lord lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground.”
12 Therefore the woman said, “Please, let your maidservant speak another word to my lord the king.” And he said, “Say on.”
13 So the woman said: “Why then have you schemed such a thing against the people of God? For the king speaks this thing as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring his banished one home again.

The woman pushes further, securing an oath from David that her son will not be harmed. Then she confronts David directly, drawing a parallel between his decision to spare her son and his failure to pardon Absalom. Her boldness reveals Joab’s plan to have David confront his unresolved feelings toward his son.

2 Samuel 14:14-15 (NKJV)
14 For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.
15 Now therefore, I have come to speak of this thing to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. And your maidservant said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his maidservant.’

The woman emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and how God provides ways for the banished to return. She gently encourages David to act mercifully, suggesting that just as God seeks to restore the lost, David should find a way to bring back Absalom. Her plea for compassion echoes God’s own nature.

2 Samuel 14:16-17 (NKJV)
16 For the king will hear and deliver his maidservant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the inheritance of God.’
17 Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the Lord your God be with you.’”

The woman continues to flatter David, comparing his wisdom and ability to discern good and evil to that of an angel of God. She expresses confidence that David’s judgment will lead to justice, implying that the same wisdom could be used to resolve the issue with Absalom.

2 Samuel 14:18-20 (NKJV)
18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, “Please do not hide from me anything that I ask you.” And the woman said, “Please, let my lord the king speak.”
19 So the king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” And the woman answered and said, “As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. For your servant Joab commanded me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant.
20 To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”

David sees through the woman’s story and asks if Joab was behind it. She admits that Joab orchestrated the entire scenario to persuade David to reconcile with Absalom. Though the woman acknowledges Joab’s role, she also praises David’s insight, recognizing his wisdom in discerning the truth.

2 Samuel 14:21-24 (NKJV)
21 And the king said to Joab, “All right, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, bring back the young man Absalom.”
22 Then Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed himself, and thanked the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.”
23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24 And the king said, “Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king’s face.

David finally agrees to Joab’s plan and orders him to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. However, David is still not ready to fully reconcile with Absalom. He allows him to return but refuses to meet with him face to face. This partial reconciliation reflects the unresolved tension between David’s love for his son and the need for justice.

2 Samuel 14:25-27 (NKJV)
25 Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
26 And when he cut the hair of his head—at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him—he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king’s standard.
27 To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.

Absalom is portrayed as physically perfect and highly praised for his appearance, which adds to his charisma and influence. His long, heavy hair is noted as a significant feature. Absalom also has three sons and a daughter, Tamar, named after his sister, possibly reflecting the close bond he shared with her.

2 Samuel 14:28-30 (NKJV)
28 And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face.
29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
30 So he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

For two years, Absalom remains in Jerusalem without seeing David, causing growing frustration. He tries to contact Joab to arrange a meeting with the king, but Joab refuses to respond. In a drastic attempt to get Joab’s attention, Absalom orders his servants to set Joab’s barley field on fire.

2 Samuel 14:31-33 (NKJV)
31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom’s house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
32 And Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.’”
33 So Joab went 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. Then the king kissed Absalom.

Joab confronts Absalom about the fire, and Absalom explains his frustration over being ignored. He demands to see the king, even if it means facing punishment. Joab reports this to David, who finally allows Absalom to appear before him. Absalom bows in submission, and David kisses him, symbolizing a formal reconciliation. However, the underlying tension between them remains.