CHAPTER XIV _A woman of Tekoah, by the advice of Joab, comes to the king; and_ _by a fictitious story persuades him to recall Absalom_, 1-20. _Joab is permitted to go to Geshur, and bring Absalom from_ _thence_, 21-23. _Absalom comes to Jerusalem to his own house, but is forbidden_ _to see the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:2. _JOAB SENT TO TEKOAH_] Tekoah, according to St. _Jerome_, was a little city in the tribe of Judah, about twelve miles from Jerusalem. There are several circumstances relative to this woman and her case which deserve to be noticed:- 1. She was a _widow_, and therefore her condi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:5. _I AM INDEED A WIDOW WOMAN_] It is very possible that the principal facts mentioned here were real, and that Joab found out a person whose circumstances bore a near resemblance to that which he wished to represent.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:7. _THE WHOLE FAMILY IS RISEN_] They took on them the part of the _avenger of blood_; the nearest akin to the murdered person having a right to slay the murderer. _THEY SHALL QUENCH MY COAL WHICH IS LEFT_] A man and his descendants or successors are often termed in Scripture _a l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:8. _I WILL GIVE CHARGE CONCERNING THEE._] This would not do, it was too distant; and she could not by it bring her business to a conclusion: so she proceeds: -... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:9. _THE INIQUITY_ BE _ON ME_] She intimates that, if the king should suppose that the not bringing the offender to the assigned punishment might reflect on the administration of justice in the land, she was willing that all blame should attach to her and her family, and the king an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:10. _WHOSOEVER SAITH_ AUGHT _UNTO THEE_] Neither did this bring the matter to such a bearing that she could come to her conclusion, which was, to get the king pledged by a _solemn promise_ that all proceedings relative to the case should be stopped.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:11. _LET THE KING REMEMBER THE LORD THY GOD_] Consider that when God is earnestly requested to show mercy, he does it in the promptest manner; he does not wait till the case is hopeless: the danger to which my son is exposed is imminent; if the king do not decide the business insta... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:13. _WHEREFORE THEN HAST THOU THOUGHT SUCH A THING_] The woman, having now got the king's promise confirmed by all oath, that her son should not suffer for the murder of his brother, comes immediately to her conclusion: Is not the king to blame? Does he now act a consistent part? H... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:14. _FOR WE MUST NEEDS DIE_] Whatever is done must be done quickly; all must die; God has not exempted any person from this common lot. Though Amnon be dead, yet the death of Absalom cannot bring him to life, nor repair this loss. Besides, for his crime, he justly deserved to die;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:20. _ACCORDING TO THE WISDOM OF AN ANGEL OF GOD_] This is quite in the style of Asiatic flattery. A European is often addressed, "_Saheb can do every thing_; we can do nothing; none can prevent the execution of Saheb's commands; Saheb is God." See WARD.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:21. _AND THE KING SAID UNTO JOAB_] It appears that Joab was present at the time when the woman was in conference with the king, and no doubt others of David's courtiers or officers were there also.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:24. _LET HIM NOT SEE MY FACE._] He would not at once restore him to favour, though he had now remitted his crime; so that he should not die for it. It was highly proper to show this detestation of the crime, and respect for justice.... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:26. _WHEN HE POLLED HIS HEAD_] Not at any particular period, but when the hair became too heavy for him. On this account of the extraordinary weight of Absalom's hair, see the observations at the end of this chapter. 2 Samuel 14:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 14:27. _UNTO ABSALOM THERE WERE BORN_] These children did not survive him; see 2 Samuel 18:18. _TAMAR_] The Septuagint adds, _And she became the wife of Roboam,_ _the son of Solomon, and bare to him Abia_; see Matthew 1:7. Josephus says the same. This addition is not found in the oth... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]