2 Samuel 14:17

_THEN THINE HANDMAID SAID, THE WORD OF MY LORD THE KING SHALL NOW BE COMFORTABLE: FOR AS AN ANGEL OF GOD, SO IS MY LORD THE KING TO DISCERN GOOD AND BAD: THEREFORE THE LORD THY GOD WILL BE WITH THEE._ As an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. 'Though this expression,' says Harmer ('Observations,' 3:, p. 496), 'may be imputed to the hyperbolical genius of the East, yet there was perhaps more of real persuasion than we are apt to suppose in the woman of Tekoah's comparison of David to a superior being. Sir John Chardin says that, having found fault with the king of Persia's valuation of a rich trinket, the grand master (of ceremonies) 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; a...

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....

AS AN ANGEL OF GOD - Rather, as “the” Angel of God; and therefore whatever David decided would be right....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 14:1 THE KING'S HEART WAS TOWARD ABSALOM. Again there is a diversity of view as to the right rendering. The preposition does not usually mean "toward," but "against," and is so rendered in 2 Samuel 14:13. The whole phrase occurs again only in Daniel 11:28, and certainly there implies enmity. The whole attitude of David towards Absalom is one of persistent hostility, and, even when Joab had obtained his recall, for two full years he would not admit him into his presence. What has led most commentators to force the meaning here and in 2 Samuel 13:39 is the

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.'' q למנחה "ad requiem", Pagninus, Montanus; "ad tranquillitatem", Tigurine version; "ad quietem", Vatablus,...

4. DAVID AND ABSALOM CHAPTER 14 _ 1. Joab's scheme (2 Samuel 14:1)_ 2. The woman of Tekoah before the king (2 Samuel 14:4) 3. Joab brings Absalom to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:21) 4. Absalom's beauty (2 Samuel 14:25) 5. Absalom sees his father (2 Samuel 14:28) In all these records of those sad events we hear not a word that David inquired of the Lord. Joab now appears upon the scene again and that for evil, though he did not mean to do evil to the king. He concocts a scheme by whi

2 SAMUEL 14. THE RETURN OF ABSALOM (J). 2 SAMUEL 14:1. Joab perceives the king's longing for his son (p. 67), and sends to him a woman of Tekoa (p. 31), about 5 miles S. of Beth-lehem, with a trumped-up tale that she was in danger of being left childless, because one of her two sons had killed his brother, and the kinsfolk wished to put the survivor to death. The king promised to intervene. 2 SAMUEL 14:9. The woman continued to importune him, and at last she seems to admit that her story is a parable and to apply it to the king. 2 Samuel 14:14 is difficult; the first part, no doubt, means, Life is uncertain, either the king or his son may die at any time; then it will be too late for

_Then thine handmaid said_ Sept. "And the woman said:" which suits the context better. _shall now be comfortable_ Lit. LET THE WORD … BE FOR REST: give me security from my enemies. _as an angel of God_ Cp. 2 Samuel 14:20; ch. 2 Samuel 19:27; and 1 Samuel 29:9. _to discern good and bad_ TO HEAR THE GOOD AND THE EVIL: to listen patiently to all manner of petitions, and decide justly upon them. _therefore the_Lord _thy God will be with thee_ The words are a prayer or blessing: AND JEHOVAH THY GOD BE WITH THEE....

THEN THE WOMAN SAID, &C.— The woman, having so far gained her point, begged leave to say one word further; and, having obtained permission, immediately proceeded, 2 Samuel 14:13 to expostulate with the king upon his own conduct, and his unkindness to the people of GOD, in not pardoning his own son, and bringing him back from exile. His mercy to _her_ son made him self-condemned in relation to his own. She then added a very natural and seasonable reflection, 2 Samuel 14:14 that death was the common lot of all men, some by one means, some by another; that in that state we _are like water spilled upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again;_ that God, if he pleased, could strike the offender dead; but inasmuch as he did not, it was because _he would leave room for mercy;_ that

5. Absalom's Exile Ended, 2 Samuel 14:1-33. _Joab and the Woman of Tekoah._ 2 Samuel 14:1-20 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart _was_ toward Absalom. 2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: 3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth. 4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. 5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I _am_ indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is