2 Samuel 14:2

Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

1 So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was concerned ^aabout Absalom.

2 And Joab sent to ^aTekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, ^band 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 ^aput the words in her mouth.

4 And when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she ^afell on her face to the ground and prostrated herself, and said, ^b“Help, O king!”

5 Then the king said to her, “What troubles you?” And she answered, ^a“Indeed I am a widow, my husband is dead.

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.

Commentaries:

Matthew Henry

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2 Samuel 14:1-33

Joab procures Absalom's recall. (1-20) Absalom recalled. (21-24) His personal beauty. (25-27) He is admitted to his father's presence. (28-33)

Verses 1-20 We may notice here, how this widow pleads God's mercy, and his clemency toward poor guilty sinners. The state of sinners is a state of banishment from God. God pardons none to the dishonour of his law and justice, nor any who are impenitent; nor to the encouragement of crimes, or the hurt of others.

Verses 21-24 David was inclined to favour Absalom, yet, for the honour of his justice, he could not do it but upon application made for him, which may show the methods of Divine grace. It is true that God has thoughts of compassion toward poor sinners, not willing that any should perish; yet he is only reconciled to them through a Mediator, who pleads on their behalf. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and Christ came to this land of our banishment, to bring us to God.

Verses 25-27 Nothing is said of Absalom's wisdom and piety. All here said of him is, that he was very handsome. A poor commendation for a man that had nothing else in him valuable. Many a polluted, deformed soul dwells in a fair and comely body. And we read that he had a very fine head of hair. It was a burden to him, but he would not cut it as long as he could bear the weight. That which feeds and gratifies pride, is not complained of, though uneasy. May the Lord grant us the beauty of holiness, and the adorning of a meek and quiet spirit! Only those who fear God are truly happy.

Verses 28-33 By his insolent carriage toward Joab, Absalom brought Joab to plead for him. By his insolent message to the king, he gained his wishes. When parents and rulers countenance such characters, they will soon suffer the most fatal effects. But did the compassion of a father prevail to reconcile him to an impenitent son, and shall penitent sinners question the compassion of Him who is the Father of mercies?

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Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning