
Text -- 2 Samuel 14:17-33 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
In wisdom, and justice, and goodness.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:17 - -- Because thou art so wise and gracious to those who in strict justice deserve punishment, God will own and stand by thee in this thy act of grace: or G...
Because thou art so wise and gracious to those who in strict justice deserve punishment, God will own and stand by thee in this thy act of grace: or God will prosper thee in thy enterprizes.

Hast thou not said and done this by Joab's direction.

It is even so, thou hast discovered the truth.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:19 - -- As to the substance of them, but not as to all the expressions; for these were to be varied as the king's answer gave occasion.
As to the substance of them, but not as to all the expressions; for these were to be varied as the king's answer gave occasion.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:20 - -- That is, to propose his, and the peoples desire of Absalom's restitution in this parabolical manner.
That is, to propose his, and the peoples desire of Absalom's restitution in this parabolical manner.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:20 - -- Or, in this land, in all thy kingdom; all the counsels and devices of thy subjects.
Or, in this land, in all thy kingdom; all the counsels and devices of thy subjects.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:22 - -- But it seems David had no power to dispense with God's laws, nor to spare any whom God appointed him to destroy: for the laws of God bound the kings a...
But it seems David had no power to dispense with God's laws, nor to spare any whom God appointed him to destroy: for the laws of God bound the kings and rulers, as well as the people of Israel. How justly did God make this man, whom he had so sinfully spared, a scourge to him?

Wesley: 2Sa 14:24 - -- Lest whilst be shewed some mercy to Absalom, he should seem to approve of his sin. Likewise by this means Absalom might be drawn to a more thorough hu...
Lest whilst be shewed some mercy to Absalom, he should seem to approve of his sin. Likewise by this means Absalom might be drawn to a more thorough humiliation and repentance.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:25 - -- This is noted as the occasion of his pride, and of the people's affection to him.
This is noted as the occasion of his pride, and of the people's affection to him.

Others understand this not of the weight, but of the price of his hair.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:27 - -- All which died not long after they were born, as may be gathered from 2Sa 18:18, where it is said, that Absalom had no son.
All which died not long after they were born, as may be gathered from 2Sa 18:18, where it is said, that Absalom had no son.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:32 - -- For it is better for me to die, than to want the sight and favour of my dear father. Thus he insinuates himself into his father's affections, by prete...
For it is better for me to die, than to want the sight and favour of my dear father. Thus he insinuates himself into his father's affections, by pretending such respect and love to him It seems that by this time Absalom having so far recovered his father's favour, began to grow upon him, and take so much confidence as to stand upon his own justification, as if what he had done, had been no iniquity, at least not such as to deserve death. See how easily wise parents may be imposed on by their children, when they are blindly fond of them.

Wesley: 2Sa 14:33 - -- Did the bowels of a father prevail to reconcile him to an impenitent son? And shall penitent sinners question the compassion of him who is the Father ...
Did the bowels 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 mercy? If Ephraim bemoan himself, God soon bemoans him, with all the expressions of fatherly tenderness. He is a dear son, a pleasant child.
JFB: 2Sa 14:13-17 - -- Her argument may be made clear in the following paraphrase:--You have granted me the pardon of a son who had slain his brother, and yet you will not g...
Her argument may be made clear in the following paraphrase:--You have granted me the pardon of a son who had slain his brother, and yet you will not grant to your subjects the restoration of Absalom, whose criminality is not greater than my son's, since he killed his brother in similar circumstances of provocation. Absalom has reason to complain that he is treated by his own father more sternly and severely than the meanest subject in the realm; and the whole nation will have cause for saying that the king shows more attention to the petition of a humble woman than to the wishes and desires of a whole kingdom. The death of my son is a private loss to my family, while the preservation of Absalom is the common interest of all Israel, who now look to him as your successor on the throne.

JFB: 2Sa 14:22 - -- Joab betrayed not a little selfishness amid his professions of joy at this act of grace to Absalom, and flattered himself that he now brought both fat...
Joab betrayed not a little selfishness amid his professions of joy at this act of grace to Absalom, and flattered himself that he now brought both father and son under lasting obligations. In considering this act of David, many extenuating circumstances may be urged in favor of it; the provocation given to Absalom; his being now in a country where justice could not overtake him; the risk of his imbibing a love for heathen principles and worship; the safety and interests of the Hebrew kingdom; together with the strong predilection of the Hebrew people for Absalom, as represented by the stratagem of Joab--these considerations form a plausible apology for David's grant of pardon to his bloodstained son. But, in granting this pardon, he was acting in the character of an Oriental despot rather than a constitutional king of Israel. The feelings of the father triumphed over the duty of the king, who, as the supreme magistrate, was bound to execute impartial justice on every murderer, by the express law of God (Gen 9:6; Num 35:30-31), which he had no power to dispense with (Deu 18:18; Jos 1:8; 1Sa 10:25).

JFB: 2Sa 14:25-26 - -- This extraordinary popularity arose not only from his high spirit and courtly manners, but from his uncommonly handsome appearance. One distinguishing...
This extraordinary popularity arose not only from his high spirit and courtly manners, but from his uncommonly handsome appearance. One distinguishing feature, seemingly an object of great admiration, was a profusion of beautiful hair. Its extraordinary luxuriance compelled him to cut it "at every year's end;" lit., "at times," "from time to time," when it was found to weigh two hundred shekels--equal to one hundred twelve ounces troy; but as "the weight was after the king's shekel," which was less than the common shekel, the rate has been reduced as low as three pounds, two ounces [BOCHART], and even less by others.

JFB: 2Sa 14:28 - -- Whatever error David committed in authorizing the recall of Absalom, he displayed great prudence and command over his feelings afterwards--for his son...
Whatever error David committed in authorizing the recall of Absalom, he displayed great prudence and command over his feelings afterwards--for his son was not admitted into his father's presence but was confined to his own house and the society of his own family. This slight severity was designed to bring him to sincere repentance, on perceiving that his father had not fully pardoned him, as well as to convince the people of David's abhorrence of his crime. Not being allowed to appear at court, or to adopt any state, the courtiers kept aloof; even his cousin did not deem it prudent to go into his society. For two full years his liberty was more restricted, and his life more apart from his countrymen while living in Jerusalem, than in Geshur; and he might have continued in this disgrace longer, had he not, by a violent expedient, determined (2Sa 14:30) to force his case on the attention of Joab, through whose kind and powerful influence a full reconciliation was effected between him and his father.
Clarke: 2Sa 14:20 - -- According to the wisdom of an angel of God - This is quite in the style of Asiatic flattery. A European is often addressed, "Saheb can do every thin...
According to the wisdom of an angel of God - This is quite in the style of Asiatic flattery. A European is often addressed, "Saheb can do every thing; we can do nothing; none can prevent the execution of Saheb’ s commands; Saheb is God."See Ward.

Clarke: 2Sa 14:21 - -- And the king said unto Joab - It appears that Joab was present at the time when the woman was in conference with the king, and no doubt others of Da...
And the king said unto Joab - It appears that Joab was present at the time when the woman was in conference with the king, and no doubt others of David’ s courtiers or officers were there also.

Clarke: 2Sa 14:24 - -- Let him not see my face - He would not at once restore him to favor, though he had now remitted his crime; so that he should not die for it. It was ...
Let him not see my face - He would not at once restore him to favor, though he had now remitted his crime; so that he should not die for it. It was highly proper to show this detestation of the crime, and respect for justice.

Clarke: 2Sa 14:25 - -- None to be so much praised as Absalom - It was probably his personal beauty that caused the people to interest themselves so much in his behalf; for...
None to be so much praised as Absalom - It was probably his personal beauty that caused the people to interest themselves so much in his behalf; for the great mass of the public is ever caught and led by outward appearances

Clarke: 2Sa 14:25 - -- There was no blemish in him - He was perfect and regular in all his features, and in all his proportions.
There was no blemish in him - He was perfect and regular in all his features, and in all his proportions.

Clarke: 2Sa 14:26 - -- When he polled his head - Not at any particular period, but when the hair became too heavy for him. On this account of the extraordinary weight of A...
When he polled his head - Not at any particular period, but when the hair became too heavy for him. On this account of the extraordinary weight of Absalom’ s hair, see the observations at the end of this chapter, 2Sa 14:30 (note).

Clarke: 2Sa 14:27 - -- Unto Absalom there were born - These children did not survive him; see 2Sa 18:18
Unto Absalom there were born - These children did not survive him; see 2Sa 18:18

Clarke: 2Sa 14:27 - -- Tamar - The Septuagint adds, And she became the wife of Roboam, the son of Solomon, and bare to him Abia; see Mat 1:7. Josephus says the same. This ...
Tamar - The Septuagint adds, And she became the wife of Roboam, the son of Solomon, and bare to him Abia; see Mat 1:7. Josephus says the same. This addition is not found in the other versions.

"Absalom had a daughter, whose name was Tamar."

Clarke: 2Sa 14:30 - -- Go and set it on fire - This was strange conduct, but it had the desired effect. He had not used his influence to get Absalom to court; now he uses ...
Go and set it on fire - This was strange conduct, but it had the desired effect. He had not used his influence to get Absalom to court; now he uses it, and succeeds
Additional observations on 2Sa 14:26 : -
"And at every year’ s end, he (Absalom) polled his head; and he weighed the hair at two hundred shekels.
The very learned Bochart has written a dissertation on this subject (vide Bocharti Opera, vol. iii., col. 883, edit. Lugd. 1692) in a letter to his friend M. Faukell. I shall give the substance in what follows
There is nothing more likely than that corruptions in the Scripture numerals have taken place. Budaeus de Asse (lib. ii., p. 49 and 51, also lib. iii., p. 67 etc). complains loudly of this
This might easily have happened, as in former times the numbers in the sacred writings appear to have been expressed by single letters. The letter
Indeed, the same person tells us that the hair of Absalom was so thick, etc.,
Epiphanius, in his treatise De Ponderibus et Mensuris, casts much more light on this place, where he says,
The king’ s shekel was about the fourth part of an ounce, according to what Epiphanius says above; and Hesychius says the same:
Josephus also informs us that the Jews not only used ointments, but that they put gold dust in their hair, that it might flame in the sun; and this they might do in considerable quantities, as gold was so plentiful among them. I must own I have known an instance that makes much for Bochart’ s argument: an officer, who had upwards of two pounds of powder and ointments put on his head daily, whose hair did not weigh a fourth part of that weight. And Absalom, being exceedingly vain, might be supposed to make a very extensive use of these things. There are some, however, who endeavor to solve the difficulty by understanding
Bochart concludes this elaborate dissertation, in which he appears to have ransacked all the Hebrew, Greek, and Roman authors for proofs of his opinion, by exhorting his friend in these words of Horace: -
Si quid novisti rectius istis
Candidus imperti; si non, his utere mecum
To me the above is quite unsatisfactory; and, with due deference to so great a character, I think I have found out something better
I believe the text is not here in its original form; and that a mistake has crept into the numeral letters. I imagine that
But how was it probable that these two numerals should be interchanged? Thus; if the upper stroke of the
But how could
The common reading of the text appears to me irreconcilable with truth; and I humbly hope that what I have offered above solves every difficulty, and fully accounts for all that the sacred historian speaks of this vain-comely lad.
Defender: 2Sa 14:20 - -- This testimony of the "wise woman of Tekoah" (2Sa 14:2), while exaggerating David's wisdom, does indicate that the highest degree of wisdom to which h...
This testimony of the "wise woman of Tekoah" (2Sa 14:2), while exaggerating David's wisdom, does indicate that the highest degree of wisdom to which human wisdom can be compared is that of "the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth." Angels are said also to "excel in strength" (Psa 103:20). Thus angels evidently understand natural processes and can manipulate and control them to some considerable degree."
TSK: 2Sa 14:17 - -- comfortable : Heb. for rest
as an angel : This is very much like the hyperbolical language which is addressed by the Hindoos to an European when they ...
comfortable : Heb. for rest
as an angel : This is very much like the hyperbolical language which is addressed by the Hindoos to an European when they desire to obtain something from him: ""Saheb,""say they, ""can do every thing. No one can prevent the execution of Saheb’ s commands. Saheb is God.""Though the expression may be imputed to the hyperbolical genius of these countries, yet there was, perhaps, more of real persuasion than we are apt to suppose. Sir John Chardin states, that having found fault with the king of Persia’ s valuation of a rich trinket, the grand master told him that if a Persian had dared to have done such a thing, it would have been as much as his life was worth. ""Know,""said he, ""that the kings of Persia have a general and full knowledge of matters, as sure as it is extensive; and that, equally in the greatest and smallest things, there is nothing more just and sure than what they pronounce.""2Sa 14:20, 2Sa 19:27; 1Sa 29:9; Pro 27:21, Pro 29:5
to discern : Heb. to hear, 1Ki 3:9, 1Ki 3:28; Job 6:30; 1Co 2:14, 1Co 2:15 *marg. Heb 5:14


TSK: 2Sa 14:19 - -- of Joab : 2Sa 3:27, 2Sa 3:29, 2Sa 3:34, 2Sa 11:14, 2Sa 11:15; 1Ki 2:5, 1Ki 2:6
As thy soul : 2Sa 11:11; 1Sa 1:26, 1Sa 17:55, 1Sa 20:3, 1Sa 25:26; 2Ki ...

TSK: 2Sa 14:20 - -- fetch : 2Sa 5:23
according : 2Sa 14:17, 2Sa 19:27; Job 32:21, Job 32:22; Pro 26:28, Pro 29:5
to know : Gen 3:5; Job 38:16-41; 1Co 8:1, 1Co 8:2


TSK: 2Sa 14:22 - -- thanked : Heb. blessed, 2Sa 19:39; Neh 11:2; Job 29:11, Job 31:20; Pro 31:28
I have found : Gen 6:8; Exo 33:16, Exo 33:17; Rth 2:2; 1Sa 20:3
his : or,...


TSK: 2Sa 14:25 - -- But in all Israel : etc. Heb. And as Absalom there was not a beautiful man in all Israel to praise greatly, 1Sa 9:2, 1Sa 16:7; Pro 31:30; Mat 23:27
fr...

TSK: 2Sa 14:26 - -- when he polled : 2Sa 18:9; Isa 3:24; 1Co 11:14
two hundred shekels : If the shekel be allowed to mean the common shekel, the amount will be utterly in...
when he polled : 2Sa 18:9; Isa 3:24; 1Co 11:14
two hundred shekels : If the shekel be allowed to mean the common shekel, the amount will be utterly incredible; for Josephus says that ""two hundred shekels make five mine""and the mina, he says, ""weighs two pounds and a half;""which calculation makes Absalom’ s hair weigh twelve pounds and a half! But it is probable that the king’ s shekel was that which Epiphanius and Hesychius say was the fourth part of an ounce, half a stater, or two drachmascaps1 . tcaps0 he whole amount, therefore, of the 200 shekels is about 50 ounces, which make 4 lb. 2 oz. troy weight, or 3 lb. 2 oz. avoirdupois. This need not be accounted incredible, especially as abundance of oil and ointment was used by the ancients in dressing their heads. Josephus informs us, that the Jews also put gold dust in their hair. Gen 23:16; Lev 19:36; Eze 45:9-14


TSK: 2Sa 14:30 - -- near mine : Heb. near my place
go and set : 2Sa 13:28, 2Sa 13:29; Jdg 15:4, Jdg 15:5
And Absalom’ s : 1Ki 21:9-14; 2Ki 9:33, 2Ki 10:6, 2Ki 10:7

TSK: 2Sa 14:32 - -- it had been : Exo 14:12, Exo 16:3, Exo 17:3
if there : Gen 3:12; 1Sa 15:13; Psa 36:2; Pro 28:13; Jer 2:22, Jer 2:23, Jer 8:12; Mat 25:44; Rom 3:19

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 2Sa 14:17 - -- As an angel of God - Rather, as "the"Angel of God; and therefore whatever David decided would be right.
As an angel of God - Rather, as "the"Angel of God; and therefore whatever David decided would be right.

Barnes: 2Sa 14:24 - -- Let him not see my face - We are not told why David adopted this half-measure. Possibly Bath-sheba’ s influence may have been exerted to k...
Let him not see my face - We are not told why David adopted this half-measure. Possibly Bath-sheba’ s influence may have been exerted to keep Absalom in disgrace for the sake of Solomon.

Barnes: 2Sa 14:26 - -- Two hundred shekels ... - The exact weight cannot be determined. If these "shekels after the king’ s weight"were the same as "shekels of t...
Two hundred shekels ... - The exact weight cannot be determined. If these "shekels after the king’ s weight"were the same as "shekels of the sanctuary,"the weight would be about 6 lbs., which is incredible; "twenty"shekels is more probable.

Barnes: 2Sa 14:27 - -- Three sons - These probably died in infancy (see the marginal reference). From Tamar must have been born Maachah, the mother of Abijah, and the...
Three sons - These probably died in infancy (see the marginal reference). From Tamar must have been born Maachah, the mother of Abijah, and the favorite wife of Rehoboam 1Ki 15:2; 2Ch 11:20-22.
Poole: 2Sa 14:17 - -- The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable I doubt not the king will give a gracious and satisfactory answer to my petition.
As an angel ...
The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable I doubt not the king will give a gracious and satisfactory answer to my petition.
As an angel of God to wit, in wisdom, and justice, and goodness.
To discern good and bad to hear and judge of causes and requests, whether they be just, and good, and fit to be granted, as mine is; or unrighteous, and unreasonable, and fit to be rejected. So she intimates her confidence in the justice of her cause, and thereby confirms the king in his purpose and promise to grant her request, and withal arms the king against the suggestions of them who should advise him to a rigorous execution of God’ s law against Absalom, and be ready to censure him for restoring Absalom, and this for want of that angelical wisdom which the king had, who wisely considered many things far above their reach.
Therefore because thou art so wise, and just, and pitiful, and gracious to those who in strict justice deserve punishment.
The Lord thy God will be with thee God will own and stand by thee in this thy act of grace; or, God will prosper thee in thy enterprises; or, at least, not be offended with thee.

Poole: 2Sa 14:19 - -- Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? hast thou not said and done this by Joab’ s direction and contrivance?
None can turn to the righ...
Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? hast thou not said and done this by Joab’ s direction and contrivance?
None can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: as the king is so wise that no man can deceive him by any turnings or windings to the right or left hand, but he quickly searcheth out the truth in every thing; so, (it is a folly to dissemble, or go about to conceal it,) it is even so, thou hast now discovered the truth of this business.
He put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid to wit, for the scope and substance of them, but not as to all the expressions which she used, for these were to be varied as the king’ s answer gave occasion, which also she did with singular prudence.

Poole: 2Sa 14:20 - -- To fetch about this form of speech i.e. to propose mine, and his, and the people’ s desire of Absalom’ s restitution in this parabolical ma...
To fetch about this form of speech i.e. to propose mine, and his, and the people’ s desire of Absalom’ s restitution in this parabolical manner, in mine and my son’ s person.
In the earth or, in this land , in all thy kingdom; all the counsels and devices of thy subjects which have any relation to thee or thy affairs.

Poole: 2Sa 14:21 - -- I have done this thing in compliance with thy desire; although in truth it was according to his own desire. He overlooks the woman in this grant, bec...
I have done this thing in compliance with thy desire; although in truth it was according to his own desire. He overlooks the woman in this grant, because she was but Joab’ s instrument in it.
The young man by which expression he mitigates his crime, as being an act of youthful heat, and folly, and rashness.

Poole: 2Sa 14:22 - -- i.e. Restored Absalom at my request; whereby. Joab thought to establish himself for ever, and that he should be both the father’ s and the son&...
i.e. Restored Absalom at my request; whereby. Joab thought to establish himself for ever, and that he should be both the father’ s and the son’ s favourite.
Quest. Whether David did well in granting this request?
Answ Although there be some circumstances which in part extenuate David’ s fault herein, as Amnon’ s high provocation of Absalom; Absalom’ s being out of the reach of David’ s justice, where also he could and would have kept himself, if David had not promised him immunity; the extreme danger of Absalom’ s infection by heathenish principles and practices; the safety of David’ s kingdom, which seemed to depend upon the, establishment of the succession, and that upon Absalom, to whom the hearts of the people were so universally and vehemently inclined, if the matter was really so, and not pretended or magnified by the art of this subtle woman: yet it seems most probable that David was faulty herein, because this action was directly contrary to the express laws of God, which strictly command the supreme magistrate to execute justice upon all wilful murderers, without any reservation, Gen 9:6 Num 35:30,31 . And David had no power to dispense with God’ s laws, nor to spare any whom God commanded him to destroy; for the laws of God did bind the kings and rulers as well as the people of Israel to observe and obey them, as is most evident from Deu 17:18,19 , and from Jos 1:8 , and many other places. And indeed we may read David’ s sin in the glass of those tremendous judgments of God which befell him, by means of his indulgence to Absalom. For although God’ s providences be in themselves no rule to judge of the good or evil of men’ s actions; yet where they comply with God’ s word, and accomplish his threatenings, as here they did, they are to be taken for the tokens of God’ s displeasure.

Poole: 2Sa 14:24 - -- Let him not see my face lest whilst he showed some mercy to Absalom, he should seem to approve of his sin, and thereby wound his own conscience, and ...
Let him not see my face lest whilst he showed some mercy to Absalom, he should seem to approve of his sin, and thereby wound his own conscience, and lose his honour, and encourage him and others to such-like attempts; and that by this means Absalom might be drawn to a more thorough humiliation and true repentance.

Poole: 2Sa 14:25 - -- This is here noted as the occasion of his pride and insolency, and of the people’ s affections to him, and consequently of the following rebell...
This is here noted as the occasion of his pride and insolency, and of the people’ s affections to him, and consequently of the following rebellion.

Poole: 2Sa 14:26 - -- Whereas ordinarily the hair of a man’ s head which grows in a year’ s space comes not to half so much. But some men’ s hair grows muc...
Whereas ordinarily the hair of a man’ s head which grows in a year’ s space comes not to half so much. But some men’ s hair grows much faster, and is much heavier, than others. But others understand this not of the weight, but of the price of his hair, which was sold by him that polled it at that rate.

Poole: 2Sa 14:27 - -- Three sons all which died not long after they were born, as may be gathered from 2Sa 18:18 , where it is said that Absalom had no son. Tamar ; so ca...

Poole: 2Sa 14:29 - -- To have sent him to the king that by his mediation he might be admitted into the king’ s favour and presence.
He would not come partly, becaus...
To have sent him to the king that by his mediation he might be admitted into the king’ s favour and presence.
He would not come partly, because perceiving David’ s affections to be cold to Absalom, he would not venture his own interest for him, especially in desiring that which he feared he should be denied; partly, lest by interceding further for Absalom, he should revive the remembrance of his former murder, and meet with the reproach of one murderer’ s interceding for another; and partly, because by converse with Absalom he observed his temper to be such, that if once he were fully restored to the king’ s favour, he would not only eclipse and oppose Joab’ s interest and power with the king, but also attempt high things, not without danger to the king and kingdom, as it happened.

Poole: 2Sa 14:30 - -- Go and set it on fire that Joab may be forced to come to me to complain of and demand reparations for, this injury.
Go and set it on fire that Joab may be forced to come to me to complain of and demand reparations for, this injury.

Poole: 2Sa 14:32 - -- It had been good for me to have been there still rather than here, because my estrangement from him now when I am so near to him is both moro grievou...
It had been good for me to have been there still rather than here, because my estrangement from him now when I am so near to him is both moro grievous and more shameful to me. But the truth of the business was this, Absalom saw that his father had accomplished his design in bringing him thither, having satisfied both his own natural affection, and his people’ s desire of Absalom’ s return from banishment; but that he could not without restitution into the king’ s presence and favour compass his design, i.e. confirm and improve that interest which he saw he had in the people’ s hearts.
Let him kill me for it is better for me to die, than to want the sight and favour of my dear father. Thus he insinuates himself into his father’ s affections, by pretending such respect and love to him. It seems that by this time Absalom having so far recovered his father’ s favour as to be recalled, he began to grow upon him, and take so much confidence as to stand upon his own justification, as if what he had done had been no iniquity, at least not such as to deserve death; for so much this speech intimates.

Poole: 2Sa 14:33 - -- In testimony of his thorough reconciliation to him; which Absalom did very ill requite, as the next chapter manifesteth.
In testimony of his thorough reconciliation to him; which Absalom did very ill requite, as the next chapter manifesteth.
Haydock: 2Sa 14:17 - -- Sacrifice; perfect and inviolable. (Tirinus) ---
Cursing, provided he be in the right. (Menochius) ---
Hebrew, "the king to discern (hear) good ...
Sacrifice; perfect and inviolable. (Tirinus) ---
Cursing, provided he be in the right. (Menochius) ---
Hebrew, "the king to discern (hear) good and bad;" of consummate wisdom; (ver. 20.; Haydock) so that no one can impose upon him.

Haydock: 2Sa 14:19 - -- Right, but he hath ordered me to say all these things. Joab had given her leave to make this declaration, as he perceived that the king's heart was ...
Right, but he hath ordered me to say all these things. Joab had given her leave to make this declaration, as he perceived that the king's heart was already inclined towards Absalom, ver. 1. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Sa 14:21 - -- Boy. This expression might tend to excuse what he had done amiss; as it shewed also the tenderness of David for Absalom. (Menochius)
Boy. This expression might tend to excuse what he had done amiss; as it shewed also the tenderness of David for Absalom. (Menochius)

Blessed. That is, praised, and gave thanks to the king.

Haydock: 2Sa 14:24 - -- Face, though he lived in Jerusalem. (Calmet) ---
This was done, in order that he might enter seriously into himself, and avoid similar excesses. (...
Face, though he lived in Jerusalem. (Calmet) ---
This was done, in order that he might enter seriously into himself, and avoid similar excesses. (Menochius) ---
He felt this privation more than exile. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Sa 14:26 - -- A year. Hebrew and Septuagint, "from the end of the days to days." ---
Chaldean, "as it was convenient." But the Vulgate seems the best, (Calmet) ...
A year. Hebrew and Septuagint, "from the end of the days to days." ---
Chaldean, "as it was convenient." But the Vulgate seems the best, (Calmet) and is followed by the Protestant version. (Haydock) ---
Sicles, including all his hair. The Hebrews wore their hair very long. It does not commonly grow above four inches in a year; so that the hair which was cut off could not weigh 200 sicles. (Calmet) ---
Weight. Hebrew, "after the king's stone," Beeben; but one manuscript has Boshkol, with the Septuagint, "after the king's sicle (Kennicott) weight," at Babylon, as Pelletier supposes that this work was written towards the end of the captivity. He allows that Absalom's hair might weigh almost 31 ounces. Some women wear above 32 ounces, if we may believe the hair-dressers. Some suppose that r (200) has been substituted instead of d (4) or c, (20) &c. But all are not convinced that the Hebrew formerly marked the numbers by letters. Septuagint have, "100 sicles," (Calmet) which some attempt to reconcile with the common reading, by saying, that they speak of the sicles of the sanctuary, which were double the weight of the king's sicles. Yet the Alexandrian and Vatican copies agree with the Vulgate: (Haydock) and of this distinction of weights there is no proof. The Rabbins assert that the value, and not the weight, of Absalom's hair is given; (Calmet) and that he made a present of his hair to some of his friends, who sold it to the ladies of Jerusalem, to adorn their heads. (Sanctius) ---
Tirinus adopts this sentiment, and ridicules those who say that the weight is meant; as he says, 200 sicles would be equivalent to 8¾ Roman pounds, which comes near to Arbuthnot's calculation in English. (Haydock) ---
Bochart reduces the weight to four such pounds, each consisting of twelve ounces; and he supposes that the hair was so heavy, on account of the gold dust with which it was covered, according to the fashion of those times. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] viii. 1.) ---
But this weight would be only accidental. (Calmet) ---
Josephus ([Antiquities?] vii. 8.) intimates, that Absalom's hair was "cut every eight days," or "for the space of eight days." It is quite incredible that it should weigh 200 sicles, or five minæ of Alexandria, each consisting of twelve ounces. The Latin interpreter reads, "every eight months." (Calmet) ---
St. Epiphanius and Hero have 125 sicles, or about 31 ounces. (Haydock) ---
The Babylonian sicle, here mentioned, was only the third part of that used by the Hebrews. (Du Hamel)

Haydock: 2Sa 14:27 - -- Sons, who all died before their father, chap. xviii. 18. ---
Thamar, in memory of his sister; (Abulensis) or this Thamar received the name from her...
Sons, who all died before their father, chap. xviii. 18. ---
Thamar, in memory of his sister; (Abulensis) or this Thamar received the name from her aunt, who resided with Absalom. (Menochius) ---
Some Greek and Latin copies add, that she was married to Roboam, the son of Solomon, by whom he had Abias. But this addition is of no authority, and can hardly be reconciled with chronology. We read that Roboam espoused Maaca, the daughter of Absalom; (2 Paralipomenon xi. 20.) but she might be only his grand-daughter, by Thamar. (Calmet) ---
Josephus had adopted this addition. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Sa 14:29 - -- To him. Joab, like a crafty courtier, would neither disoblige the king nor the prince, and therefore wished not to meddle in this affair; as he migh...
To him. Joab, like a crafty courtier, would neither disoblige the king nor the prince, and therefore wished not to meddle in this affair; as he might either excite the suspicions of the own, or the resentment of the other. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Sa 14:33 - -- Kissed Absalom, and thus was reconciled to his prodigal son, Luke xv. 20. The ungrateful wretch only took occasion, from his father's goodness, to a...
Kissed Absalom, and thus was reconciled to his prodigal son, Luke xv. 20. The ungrateful wretch only took occasion, from his father's goodness, to alienate the minds of the people from him, by insinuating that he neglected the welfare of the people. (Haydock)
Gill: 2Sa 14:17 - -- Then thine handmaid said, the word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable,.... Or, "for rest" q; what will give ease and satisfaction not only t...
Then thine handmaid said, the word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable,.... Or, "for rest" q; what will give ease and satisfaction not only to her, but to all the people of Israel, when they shall hear of the king's intention and resolution to bring back Absalom:
for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king; as they are very wise, knowing, and understanding creatures, so was David:
to discern good and bad; to hear both the one and the other, and to discern the difference between them, and choose and pursue what is right, as in all other things, so in the present case:
therefore the Lord thy God shall be with thee; as to counsel and advise, so to assist in performance, and to prosper and succeed; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord thy God shall be for thine help.''

Gill: 2Sa 14:18 - -- Then the king answered and said unto the woman,.... Understanding plainly what she meant by all this, that the case she brought was a feigned one, and...
Then the king answered and said unto the woman,.... Understanding plainly what she meant by all this, that the case she brought was a feigned one, and that the intention of it was to let him know the sense of the people with respect to Absalom, and the recall of him:
hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee; he suspected that this was not a scheme of her own, but some considerable person had formed it, and made use of her to execute it, which was what he desired to know:
and the woman said, let my lord the king now speak; ask what question he pleases, I am ready to answer.

Gill: 2Sa 14:19 - -- And the king said, is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this?.... That is, is not this done by the advice, assistance, and direction of Joab? did...
And the king said, is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this?.... That is, is not this done by the advice, assistance, and direction of Joab? did not he form this scheme for thee, and direct thee to this method, and put thee upon prosecuting it?
and the woman answered and said, as thy soul liveth, my lord the king; what I am about to say is as sure as thou art alive; though this may be only a wish that he might long live and be happy; nothing is more desirable than thy valuable life:
none can turn to the right hand or the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken; he has hit upon the truth of the matter; there is no dissimulation or prevarication to be used; the thing cannot be denied; for thy servant Joab he bade me, and put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: he sent for me, and laid his commands on me, and directed me what to say to the king, and how to conduct this affair.

Gill: 2Sa 14:20 - -- To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing,.... Feigned a story in such form and manner as had been delivered to the kin...
To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing,.... Feigned a story in such form and manner as had been delivered to the king, that it might be accommodated and applied to the case of Absalom, and to transfer it in a figure to the king, to use the apostle's phrase, 1Co 4:8,
and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God; as not only to understand the design of this fable or parable, but of such sagacity and penetration as to find out the author of it; and even
to know all things that are in the earth; either in the whole world, or rather in the land of Israel; and it is to be understood not of all actions natural and moral done by men in it, which would be to ascribe omniscience to him; but of all political things, all things respecting civil government; that he had such a spirit of discerning of men and things, that nothing could be said or done, or scheme formed, but he got intelligence of it, and insight into it; and which was carrying the compliment to a great height.

Gill: 2Sa 14:21 - -- And the king said unto Joab,.... Who was present, or but at a little distance, waiting the issue of this affair:
behold now I have done this thing;...
And the king said unto Joab,.... Who was present, or but at a little distance, waiting the issue of this affair:
behold now I have done this thing; have agreed to recall Absalom, at the suit of this woman, which thou hast put her upon; or, according to the textual reading, "thou hast done this thing" r; contrived this scheme, to let me know the mind of the people with respect to Absalom, or to represent to me the propriety of sending for him home:
go, therefore, bring the young man Absalom again; I give my consent to it, and you may send for him, or fetch him as soon as you please; it is thought he calls him a young man, to extenuate his crime, that it was done in youthful heat and passion, and therefore he should pass it over.

Gill: 2Sa 14:22 - -- And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself,.... Or bowed so low as to the ground, in reverence of the king:
and thanked the king; f...
And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself,.... Or bowed so low as to the ground, in reverence of the king:
and thanked the king; for giving him leave to fetch Absalom home, as if it was a favour done to himself: or "blessed" s him; wished all happiness and prosperity might attend him, in consequence of this grant, which he knew would be acceptable to the people:
and Joab said, today 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; he might presume upon this, that as the king had given orders at his request to recall Absalom, who had murdered his brother, which was tacitly giving him a pardon; so he would forgive him the murder of Abner, 2Sa 3:30, and think no more of it; since he perceived now, which he had not so clearly perceived before from that time, that he found grace in his sight, or shared in his favour and good will, as now he saw he did.

Gill: 2Sa 14:23 - -- So Joab arose and went to Geshur,.... Where Absalom was with his grandfather, the king of the place; see 2Sa 13:37,
and brought Absalom to Jerusale...

Gill: 2Sa 14:24 - -- And the king said,.... Very probably to Joab, when he informed him of Absalom's being come to Jerusalem:
let him turn to his own house; depart from...
And the king said,.... Very probably to Joab, when he informed him of Absalom's being come to Jerusalem:
let him turn to his own house; depart from the king's palace, where Joab had brought him, and go to his own house, which was in Jerusalem; for here he had one before he fled to Geshur; see 2Sa 13:20,
and let him not see my face; which he ordered, partly to show his detestation of the crime he had been guilty of, and some remaining resentment in his mind at him on account of it; and partly for his credit among some of the people at least, who might think it was a crime so great as not to go unpunished, though others were of a different mind; and also for the greater humiliation of Absalom, who, the king might think, had not been sufficiently humbled for his sin, or had not truly repented of it:
so Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face; in obedience to his father's orders.

Gill: 2Sa 14:25 - -- But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty,.... Which is observed to account in some measure for the interest he...
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty,.... Which is observed to account in some measure for the interest he had in the affections of the people, both now and hereafter:
from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him; not any spot, freckle, wart, scurf, or scab; nothing deficient or superfluous in him; no disproportion of parts, nor any disagreeable feature; but an entire symmetry, and perfect comeliness, which made him very respectable. The Talmudists u make him to be of a gigantic stature.

Gill: 2Sa 14:26 - -- And when he polled his head,.... Or cut off the hair of it; for that was one thing, a good head of hair which he had, that made him look very comely a...
And when he polled his head,.... Or cut off the hair of it; for that was one thing, a good head of hair which he had, that made him look very comely and beautiful:
for it was at every year's end that he polled it; or cut it off once a year; but the Jews say w he was a perpetual Nazarite:
because the hair was heavy upon him, and therefore he polled it; it grew so very thick and long in one year's time, that he was obliged to cut it; and what might add to the weight of it, its being oiled and powdered; and, as some say, with the dust of gold, to make it look yellow and glistering:
he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's weight; and a shekel being the weight of half an ounce of avoirdupois weight, as Bishop Cumberland x has shown from various writers, the weight of his hair must be an hundred ounces; which was a very great weight indeed on his head. Some think that the price it was sold at, and not the weight of it, is meant; which they suppose was sold to women for ornament about their temples, and the money given either to the poor, or for the use of the sanctuary; and reckoning a shekel at two shillings and sixpence, as some do, the value of it came to twenty five pounds of our money; but the above mentioned writer y reduces it to about two shillings and four pence farthing; which makes the value somewhat less; but inasmuch as it is not so probable that a person of such rank should sell his hair, nor does it appear that any, such use was made of hair in those times as suggested; and this being said to be according to the king's weight or stone, by which all weights were to be regulated, it is best to understand this of the weight, and not of the price of his hair; which, according to Josephus z, was five pounds; but, according to the above account, it must be six pounds and a quarter. The Jews say a this weight was according to what the inhabitants of Tiberias and Zippore used, but do not tell us what it was.

Gill: 2Sa 14:27 - -- And unto Absalom there were born three sons,.... Who very probably died young; and the rather it may be thought so, since their names are not given, a...
And unto Absalom there were born three sons,.... Who very probably died young; and the rather it may be thought so, since their names are not given, and more especially since it is said that Absalom had no sons, and therefore erected a pillar to keep up the remembrance of his name; unless it can be thought that that was set up before he had any sons, which is not so likely; see 2Sa 18:18,
and one daughter, whose name was Tamar; and whom he named after his sister Tamar, who was ravished by Amnon; the Septuagint version in some copies adds,"and she became the wife of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, and bore to him Abia;''and so says Josephus b; see 1Ki 15:22,
she was a woman of a fair countenance; as was her aunt, after whom she was named, 2Sa 13:1; by this it appears that she lived to a woman's estate, though the sons of Absalom died young.

Gill: 2Sa 14:28 - -- So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem,.... After his return from Geshur:
and saw not the king's face; all that time; which was owing either ...
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem,.... After his return from Geshur:
and saw not the king's face; all that time; which was owing either to the king's resentment of the fact committed by him, or to state policy.

Gill: 2Sa 14:29 - -- Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king,.... To introduce him into his presence, being uneasy to be thus confined at his own hou...
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king,.... To introduce him into his presence, being uneasy to be thus confined at his own house, and not suffered to come to court:
but he would not come to him; knowing the king's mind, and being unwilling to disoblige him by a troublesome solicitation:
and when he sent again the second time, he would not come; knowing his business with him; and perhaps between the first time of his sending and this he had sounded the king about it, and found it was not agreeable to him to admit him to access to him as yet.

Gill: 2Sa 14:30 - -- Therefore he said unto his servants,.... That did his business for him in the field, in keeping his flocks, and tilling his ground:
see Joab's fiel...
Therefore he said unto his servants,.... That did his business for him in the field, in keeping his flocks, and tilling his ground:
see Joab's field is near mine: for great personages in those days attended to husbandry:
and he hath barley there, go and set it on fire; it being ripe, and so capable of being fired, and therefore must be some time in March or April, when barley harvest began; he served Joab as Samson did the Philistines, Jdg 15:4; which shows him to be a bold, and revengeful, and ungrateful man, to use his friend, and the general of the king's army, after this manner:
and Absalom's servants set the field on fire; as their master had bid them, and which is no wonder; for as they murdered Ammon at his command, they would not stop at burning Joab's field, when he bid them do it; see 2Sa 13:28.

Gill: 2Sa 14:31 - -- Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house,.... Provoked at what he had done, and to know the reason of it; and which was answering Absalom'...
Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house,.... Provoked at what he had done, and to know the reason of it; and which was answering Absalom's end:
and said unto him, wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? which was not only injurious to his property, but a malicious action.

Gill: 2Sa 14:32 - -- And Absalom answered Joab,.... Neither denying the fact, nor being ashamed of it, nor asking pardon for it; but endeavouring to vindicate it, by givin...
And Absalom answered Joab,.... Neither denying the fact, nor being ashamed of it, nor asking pardon for it; but endeavouring to vindicate it, by giving a reason as he thought sufficient for it:
behold, I sent unto thee, saying, come hither, that I may send thee to the king; which was assuming great authority over a person in such an high office as Joab was; had he been king, he could not have used more, to send for him, and command his attendance, and send him on what errand he thought fit, as here:
to say, wherefore am I come from Geshur? why did the king send for me? why did not he let me alone where I was? to what purpose am I brought hither, since I am not admitted to court?
it had been good for me to have been there still; and better, where he lived in a king's court, and had honour and respect shown him, suitable to his rank; and where he had his liberty, and could go where he pleased; and where this mark of his father's displeasure, not suffering him to see his face, would not be so manifest as here, and so less disgraceful to him:
now therefore let me see the king's face; that is, speak to the king, and intercede for me, that I may see his face; which he was so importunate for, not from affection to the king; but that being at court, he might be able to ingratiate himself among the courtiers and others, and carry the point which his ambition prompted him to, supplant the king, and seize the crown:
and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me; signifying he chose to die, rather than to live such a life he did: but of being put to death he was not much afraid; presuming partly upon his innocence, thinking that the killing of his brother was no crime, because he was the aggressor, had ravished his sister, and for it ought to die; and since justice was delayed, and not done him, he had committed no iniquity in putting him to death; and partly on his father's affection to him, which he was sensible of; at least he had reason to believe he would not now put him to death; for had he designed that, he would have ordered it before now, since he had had him so long in his hands.

Gill: 2Sa 14:33 - -- So Joab came to the king, and told him,.... What Absalom had said to him:
and when he had called for Absalom; sent messengers to his house to order...
So Joab came to the king, and told him,.... What Absalom had said to him:
and when he had called for Absalom; sent messengers to his house to order him to come to him:
he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king; made a very reverend bow to him, according to the custom of those times, throwing himself at his feet in great submission to him:
and the king kissed Absalom; in token of his reconciliation to him; which laid the foundation of his after troubles from him, related in the following chapters.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes




NET Notes: 2Sa 14:23 For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.



NET Notes: 2Sa 14:26 Heb “two hundred shekels.” The modern equivalent would be about three pounds (1.4 kg).

NET Notes: 2Sa 14:27 The LXX adds here the following words: “And she became a wife to Rehoboam the son of Solomon and bore to him Abia.”

NET Notes: 2Sa 14:30 The word “Joab’s” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.


NET Notes: 2Sa 14:33 Heb “Absalom.” For stylistic reasons the name has been replaced by the pronoun (“him”) in the translation.
Geneva Bible: 2Sa 14:17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an ( k ) angel of God, so [is] my lord the king to discern goo...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 14:19 And the king said, [Is not] ( l ) the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, [As] thy soul liveth, my lord the king, non...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 14:20 To fetch about this ( m ) 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 ...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have ( n ) done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
( n ) I have granted your req...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 14:24 And the king said, Let him ( o ) 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...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 14:26 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 wei...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 14:30 Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it ( q ) on fire. And Absalom's servants set...

Geneva Bible: 2Sa 14:32 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? [...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 2Sa 14:1-33
TSK Synopsis: 2Sa 14:1-33 - --1 Joab, suborning a widow of Tekoah by a parable to incline the king's heart to fetch home Absalom, brings him to Jerusalem.25 Absalom's beauty, hair,...
MHCC: 2Sa 14:1-20 - --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...

MHCC: 2Sa 14:21-24 - --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 met...

MHCC: 2Sa 14:25-27 - --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...

MHCC: 2Sa 14:28-33 - --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 a...
Matthew Henry: 2Sa 14:1-20 - -- Here is, I. Joab's design to get Absalom recalled out of banishment, his crime pardoned, and his attainder reversed, 2Sa 14:1. Joab made himself ver...

Matthew Henry: 2Sa 14:21-27 - -- Observe here, I. Orders given for the bringing back of Absalom. The errand on which the woman came to David was so agreeable, and her management of ...

Matthew Henry: 2Sa 14:28-33 - -- Three years Absalom had been an exile from his father-in-law, and now two years a prisoner at large in his own house, and, in both, better dealt wit...
Keil-Delitzsch -> 2Sa 14:1-20; 2Sa 14:21-33
Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 14:1-20 - --
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, s...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Sa 14:21-33 - --
David then promised Joab, that the request which he had presented through the medium of the woman of Tekoah should be fulfilled, and commanded him t...
Constable: 2Sa 9:1--20:26 - --VI. DAVID'S TROUBLES chs. 9--20
Chapters 9-20 contrast with chapters 2-8 in that this later section is negative ...

Constable: 2Sa 13:1--20:26 - --C. David's Rejection and Return chs. 13-20
This is the longest literary section in the Court History of ...

Constable: 2Sa 13:1--14:33 - --1. Events leading up to Absalom's rebellion chs. 13-14
David's disobedience to the Mosaic Covena...

Constable: 2Sa 14:1-20 - --Joab's scheme to secure Absalom's pardon 14:1-20
Evidently Joab (David's commander-in-ch...
