2 Samuel 14:1-19
Joab <03097> [A.M. 2977. B. C. 1027. An. Ex. Is. 464. Joab.]
Absalom <053> [toward Absalom.]
Tekoa <08620> [to Tekoah.]
Tekoah was a city of Judah, situated, according to Eusebius and Jerome, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. Josephus says it was not far from the castle of Herodium; and Jerome (Prologue to Amos) says it stood on a hill six miles south from Bethlehem. Dr. Poccocke places it at the same distance; and says there are still considerable ruins on the top of a hill, which is about half a mile long and a furlong broad.
[Tekoa. mourning.]
fashion Then ... told <07760 01697> [put the words.]
bowed ..... face <05307 0639> [fell on her.]
help <03467> [Help. Heb. Save.]
<061> [I am indeed.]
It is very possible that the principal incidents mentioned here were real; and that Joab found out a person whose circumstances bore a near resemblance to that which he wished to represent. She did not make the similitude too plain and visible, lest the king should see her intention before she had obtained a grant of pardon; and thus her circumstances, her mournful tale, her widow's dress, her aged person, (for Josephus says she was advanced in years,) and her impressive manner, all combined to make one united irresistible impression on the heart of the aged monarch.
two ..... two <08147> [and they two.]
intervene <05337> [none to part. Heb. no deliverer between.]
family <04940> [the whole.]
extinguish <03518> [so they.]
extinguish <03518> [quench.]
face .... earth <06440 0127> [upon the earth. Heb. upon the face of the earth.]
instructions <06680> [I will give.]
blame <05771> [the iniquity.]
king ..... king .................. king <04428> [and the king.]
king <04428> [let the king.]
avenger <01350> [thou, etc. Heb. the revenger of blood do not multiply to destroy. the revengers.]
Lord .......................... Lord <03068> [As the Lord.]
hair <08185> [not one hair.]
servant <08198> [Let thine.]
said ............... matter .... Tell <01697 01696> [speak one word.]
said .................. Tell <01696> [Say on.]
devised <02803> [Wherefore.]
people <05971> [people.]
king ............ king <04428> [in that the king.]
die <04191> [we must.]
water <04325> [as water.]
God <0430> [neither, etc. or, because God hath not taken away his life, he hath also devised means, etc. God.]
devises <02803> [he devise.]
security <04496> [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."
<08085> [to discern. Heb. to hear.]
hide ... information <03582 01697> [Hide not.]
Joab ............................................ Joab <03097> [of Joab.]
live <05315> [As thy soul.]
right <03231> [turn.]
put <07760> [he put.]
