2 Samuel 14:25

_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._ But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty. This extraordinary popularity arose, not only from his high spirit and courtly manners, but from his uncommonly handsome appearance-one distinguished feature of which, seemingly an object of great admiration, was a profusion of beautiful hair. Its extraordinary luxuriance compelled him to cut it х_ MIQEETS_ (H7093) _ YAAMIYM_ (H3117)] at the end of days. Josephus says he polled every eighth day; 'at times,' 'from time to time' [ap' archees heemeroon eis heemeras], when it was found to weigh 2,000 shekels-equal to 112 oz. troy; but as 'the weight was after the king's shekel,' which was less than the common shekel, t

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 in him valuable. Many a polluted, deformed soul dwells in a fair and comely body. And we read that he had a very fine head of hair. It was a burden to him, but he would not cut it as long as he could bear the weight. That which feeds and gratifies pride, is not complained of, though uneasy. May the Lord grant us the beauty of holiness, and the adorning of a meek and quiet spirit! Only those who fear God are truly happy....

Verse 2 Samuel 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 the great mass of the public is ever caught and led by _outward appearances_. _THERE WAS NO BLEMISH IN HIM._] He was perfect and regular in all his features, and in all his proportions....

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

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. u T. Bab. Niddah, fol. 24. 2....

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

_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...

ABSALOM'S RETURN FROM GESHUR After waiting for two years, Absalom forces Joab to use his influence to bring about a reconciliation between him and his father....

DAVID, THE GREAT KING OF ISRAEL 2 SAMUEL _HELEN POCOCK_ CHAPTER 14 JOAB PLANS TO BRING ABSALOM BACK TO JERUSALEM V1 Joab, the son of Zeruiah, knew that King David was constantly thinking about Absalom. V2 So Joab sent for a wise woman from the town called Tekoa. Joab said to her, ‘Pretend that someone has died. And pretend that you are very sad about this. Wear the clothes that you wear at a funeral. Do not put oil on your face to make it look pretty. Behave like a woman who has been sad for a long time. V3 Then go to King David and speak these words.’ Then Joab told her what to say. V4 The woman from Tekoa went to the king. She gave him honour. She bent down and she put her face