2 Samuel 14:1-33
Q.1. Why did Joab enlist the services of a wise woman? What appeal did she make to King David? How did she get David’s attention? Who was behind the story? Was the woman respectful to the king? – (2 Sam.14:1-20)
David had spent time grieving over his loss of Amnon. He now longed for Absalom who had sought refuge with his relatives in Geshur (2 Sam.13:37-39). Joab perceived this and devised a plan to bring about reconciliation (2 Sam.14:1-3). He enlisted a wise woman to go to David with a fictional story of sorrow, which illustrated the broken relationship between the king and Absalom. David graciously promised to protect her (2 Sam.14:4-11). The woman then applied the story to David’s circumstances. David then understood what was happening, and was told that the woman’s appeal had been engineered by Joab – 19 … Indeed, it was your servant Joab who commanded me, and it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant; 20 in order to change the appearance of things your servant Joab has done this thing. But my lord is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know all that is in the earth (2 Sam.14:19-20 c.f. 2 Sam.14:12-20).
Q.2. What happened as a result of Joab’s appeal to King David? What do we learn about Absalom? How did Absalom react to being snubbed by Joab? What happened after Joab’s intervention? – (2 Sam.14:21-33)
David called for Joab and asked him to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. However, he added – Let him return to his own house but let him not see my face (2 Sam.14:24). Joab was relieved that David had responded positively to his intervention (2 Sam.14:22). He brought Absalom back to the city. Absalom had already shown himself to be devious in his plot to get even with his brother Amnon (2 Sam.13:20-29). He was a prince in Israel, incredibly handsome, with a model family, and no obvious defects (2 Sam.14:25-27). He was used to getting his own way, and when Joab had refused to come to him, he had set fire to Joab’s fields (2 Sam.14:28-30). Joab had slain many men for much less. However, having gained Joab’s attention, Absalom complained – Why have I come from Geshur? It would have been better for me still to be there … (2 Sam.14:32). He demanded – … let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him put me to death (2 Sam.14:32). This brought about a meeting – thus he came to the king and prostrated himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed him (2 Sam.14:33). However, it would prove to be a formal act, but not a heartfelt submission to his father.