2 Samuel 14:22

_AND JOAB FELL TO THE GROUND ON HIS FACE, AND BOWED HIMSELF, AND THANKED THE KING: AND JOAB SAID, TO DAY 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._ Today thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight. Joab betrays 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 favour 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 pagan 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 stra...

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....

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

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, 2 Samuel 3:30, and think no more of it; since he perceived now, which he had not so clearly perceived before from t

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

THANKED. blessed....

Joab sent to bring Absalom back 21. _I have done this thing_ I have granted thy wish and restored Absalom to favour. The "read" text or _Qrî_has _thou hast done_, but the "written" text or _Kthîbh_(supported by the Sept. and Vulg.) is certainly right here....

JOAB FELL TO THE GROUND ON HIS FACE, &C.— There cannot be a greater refinement of flattery and address. Joab places that obligation entirely to his own score, which he knew was the greatest that he could lay upon his master....

_David Recalls Absalom._ 2 Samuel 14:21-33 21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. 22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: 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. 23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 And the king said, Let him 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. 25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled...