Summary: Joab knew that David cared for Absalom and wanted to see him (v.1). He sent a female actress to speak to David. She explains that one of her sons was killed in a blood-feud (vv.6-7), and it would lead to the only surviving son to be killed. David extends an order to stop this execution from happening (v.10). The woman explains that this pertains to the king’s own son, Absalom (v.13). David figures out that Joab is behind this (v.19), and this ploy causes David to change his mind (v.21). He issues a warrant to bring Absalom home (v.21). Absalom had three sons and a daughter (v.27). He came back home for two years without seeing David (v.28). Everyone ignored him until he lit Joab’s field on fire to get attention (vv.31-32). He finally reunited with his father (v.33).
(14:1) Joab set up this plot for David’s benefit. He wasn’t trying to deceive him in an unrighteous way—only to help him to see his son again.
(14:2-3) Joab finds a wise woman from Tekoa (the birthplace of Amos, the prophet. He sends her to David to pretend to be in mourning over her son—just as David had been mourning “every day” for Amnon (2 Sam. 13:37).
(14:4-7) The woman tells David a (fabricated) story that one of her sons killed the other. Now that this happened, the rest of the family is trying to get her to have the surviving son killed. But if this happens, she will lose her family name and inheritance.
(14:8-11) David agrees to protect her. His mention of “not one hair of your son will fall to the ground” is “ironic and poignant: The hair of his own son Absalom was not only an index of his handsome appearance (cf. vv.25-26) but would also contribute to his undoing (cf. 18:9-15).”[]
(14:12-17) The woman points out the inconsistency in David’s decree. If he was willing to protect her estranged and exiled son, then why wouldn’t he protect his own son, Abasalom?
(14:18-20) Even though the woman was “wise” (v.2), she calls David “wise” (v.20). David suspects that the woman was put up to this. Somehow, David knows that Joab was behind the rouse. How will David react to being tricked like this? Will he have this woman killed? Will this cause division between David and Joab?
(14:21) David forgives Absalom of capital punishment and exile, and he tells Joab to bring his son home.
(14:22-23) Joab is very happy about this, and he gets Absalom to move back to Jerusalem.
(14:24) David forgave him, but he didn’t want a relationship with him.
(14:25) Apparently, many of the people in David’s family were physically attractive: Absalom, Tamar (2 Sam. 13:1), David (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42), Absalom’s daughter (2 Sam. 14:27), Abigail (1 Sam. 25:3), and Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:2).
(14:26) This must be describing how thick and fast his hair grew. But how long must his hair have been to weigh 200 shekels (or 3 pounds, see NET note). Youngblood attributes this weight to hyperbole.[]
Absalom was vain from his long, beautiful hair. However, his vanity in his hair would be the snare that takes his life (2 Sam. 18:9-15).
(14:27) Absalom must have named his daughter after his victimized sister (Tamar).
His sons must have all died at a young age, because he lacks a male heir later in the narrative (2 Sam. 18:18).
(14:28) Absalom spent two years on his property in Jerusalem without seeing his father.
(14:29) He made two attempts to implore Joab to bring him to his father. He must sense that Joab is a key mediator between him and his father.
(14:30-31) Joab only came when Absalom burned his fields to get his attention.
(14:32) Absalom demands an audience with his father.
(14:33) David finally allows Absalom to come to him, and they reunite their love for each other.
David is passively being led by Joab, the wise woman, and Absalom. His word doesn’t stand whatsoever. He keeps having to take back his word throughout these chapters. The reconciliation with Absalom seems genuine, but the outcome is so disastrous that it makes us wonder if David was really leading well through this situation.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 978-979.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 985.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
