2 Samuel 14:30

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 and rulers countenance such characters, they will soon suffer the most fatal effects. But did the compassion 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 mercies?...

Verse 2 Samuel 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 it, and succeeds. ADDITIONAL observations on ver. 2 Samuel 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.

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

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, Judges 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...

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

Absalom readmitted to David's presence through Joab's mediation 29. _he would not come to him_ Not choosing to incur David's displeasure by visiting Absalom while he was still in disgrace....

_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...

14:30 mine (a-12) Lit. 'at my hand.'...

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....