II Samuel Menu

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Memory verses for this week: Prov 1:4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

I. The Recall of Absalom

Joab sent for a woman from Tekoah (a city likely in Judah) known to be wise. The word translated her (Mkx chakam) can also have the idea of ‘cunning.’ This woman evidently had a reputation for being a good actress. Joab directed her to portray herself before the king as a woman in mourning and he told her what to say.

This actress went to David with the story that Joab had concocted. Though the circumstances of this imaginary story were different from David’s family, the real issue was the bitter estrangement between David and Absalom. Moreover, as in the story which Joab had created, Absalom had in fact killed his brother. Implicit is that much of David’s family thought that vengeance should be wreaked upon Absalom for his deed.

David took the bait. ”And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.” David informed her that he would look into this matter and give her a judgment. It would seem that the woman suddenly became frightened realizing that a royal inquiry was about to begin into her false story. David, not understanding her story was a parable and assured her that his protection would be upon her. The woman of Tekoah further appealed to David’s justice. She pled that those seeking vengeance would not harm her, or her son. David therefore solemnly swore by the name of Jehovah that no harm would come to him.

In verse 12, the actress of Tekoah, therefore got down to why she was really there. She asked the king if she could bring up one last thing. He said, in effect, go ahead. She raised the issue. After having obtained the audience of David and having received assurance from him of justice, she then boldly charged the king himself with being faulty. The word translated (Mva ashem) literally means ‘guilty.’ She drove home her point: “the king doth not fetch home again his banished.” Clearly, she was referring to Absalom. 　

The woman boldly continued, “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” She implied that all will die like water being spilt. consequently, Amnon had died, although prematurely. The phrase “neither doth God respect any person” literally has the sense “neither does God take every soul.” The idea is that God does not slay every guilty person, and He certainly had not done so to Absalom. God had already devised means whereby a banished one (the guilty party) might go to a city of refuge.

She concluded her speech before the king by praising him. “Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. “

She left off by ‘buttering up’ David and assuring him that the Lord would give him insight into the matter of Absalom. David by now was suspicious of this bold intrusion into his personal affairs. David invoked the woman to be totally honest with him. She replied for him to continue. David evidently knew that Joab favored bringing Absalom back. He already had cause to question Joab’s loyalty.

David pointedly asked the woman if Joab was behind her intrusion. She admitted that Joab had put her up to it. She concluded her appearance in complimenting David further by noting David as wise and insightful to perceive “all things that are in the earth.” The word translated as earth (Ura eretz) is most frequently rendered as ‘land.’ She in effect applauded David for perceiving what was going on in the land—in his kingdom. He suspected who had put her up to what she had done. As the following text will indicate, David took the hint, but did so only half-heartedly. His emotions were still in conflict.

2 Sam 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

The narrative now turns to Absalom and his designs. Absalom, though not in the king’s favor, nevertheless became very popular in Israel. He is described as being altogether handsome with no flaw in his physical appearance. The word translated as polled (xlg galach) simply means to cut or to shave. Evidently Absalom had thick beautiful hair and that he only cut it off once a year. In fact, the weight of his hair amounted to two hundred shekels. Precisely how much that was is not clear. However, what is clear is that Absalom had a thick head of hair. In verse 27, further details of Absalom’s life in Jerusalem are noted. The bible says he fathered three sons and one daughter. He evidently named his daughter after his sister Tamar. She is described as being beautiful in her appearance.

Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face. Five years had passed since he had murdered his brother. No doubt having learned of Joab’s intercession on his behalf earlier, Absalom sent for Joab whom was to be sent to the king. Joab would not come to him. Absalom sent again the second time, he would not come. Joab evidently figured he had pressed his luck far enough in trying to reconcile David and Absalom. Therefore, he ignored Absalom’s messages. In verse 30, Joab continued to ignore Absalom’s messages, and Absalom decides to get Joab’s attention. Absalom sent his servants to burn Joab’s barley field. Absalom’s intent was simple. He wanted to talk to Joab. He soon got his wish. Joab rushed over to Absalom’s place and wanted to know why he burned his field?” Absalom had gotten his attention.

The immaturity and arrogance of Absalom is apparent. He wanted his way. He complained to Joab that what good was it that he had brought him from Geshur. As far as he was concerned, he would have been better off if he had stayed there. He demanded that Joab arrange an audience with his father. He further had the impudence to say, “and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.”

Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. If we let private affections stand in the way of public duty, we may justly expect that God will make the one whom our foolish pity spares, a scourge upon us.

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