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Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 14:2

2 Samuel 14:2. Joab sent to Tekoah, &c.— Tekoah was a city in the tribe of Judah, and lay about twelve miles south of Jerusalem. Joab's conduct in this affair was remarkably artful: he chose a widow, because her condition of life was more proper to move compassion; one who lived at a distance from Jerusalem, as her case might not be so readily inquired into; and a woman advanced in years, as Josephus asserts, that her application might have the more weight. She appeared in a habit of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 14:2

2-21. And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman—The king was strongly attached to Absalom; and having now got over his sorrow for the violent death of Amnon, he was desirous of again enjoying the society of his favorite son, who had now been three long years absent. But a dread of public opinion and a regard to the public interests made him hesitate about recalling or pardoning his guilty son; and Joab, whose discerning mind perceived this struggle between parental affection and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 14:1-20

Joab’s scheme to secure Absalom’s pardon 14:1-20Evidently Joab (David’s commander-in-chief and nephew by his half-sister, Zeruiah; 1 Chronicles 2:16) concluded that it would be politically better for David and Israel if David brought Absalom back to Jerusalem from Geshur (cf. 2 Samuel 14:7; 2 Samuel 14:13-15). Absalom was, of course, now David’s heir to the throne by custom, though Yahweh had designated Solomon to succeed his father. David had a great love for Absalom even though he was a... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 14:1-33

Absalom’s Return from GeshurAfter waiting for two years, Absalom forces Joab to use his influence to bring about a reconciliation between him and his father.2. Tekoah] 6 m. S. of Bethlehem. It was the home of the prophet Amos (Amos 1:1).7. We will destroy] She purposely makes the case appear as bad as possible. My coal] The word means a glowing piece of wood. The surviving son is compared to a spark left when the rest of the fire has gone out. The passage casts an interesting light on the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 14:2

(2) Tekoah.—A village on a high hill five miles south of Bethlehem, the home of the prophet Amos. It was also the native place of Ira, one of David’s thirty heroes (2 Samuel 23:26), and was near enough to Bethlehem, the home of Joab, for him to have had personal knowledge of this “wise woman.” There is no ground whatever for suspecting her of being a “witch,” or in any way disreputable.The parable that follows was contrived by Joab, yet also required skill and address on the part of the woman.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:1-33

9CHAPTER XVIII.ABSALOM BANISHED AND BROUGHT BACK2 Samuel 13:38-39 - 2 Samuel 14:1-33.GESHUR, to which Absalom fled after the murder of Amnon, accompanied in all likelihood by the men who had slain him, was a small kingdom in Syria, lying between Mount Hermon and Damascus. Maacah, Absalom’s mother, was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, so that Absalom was there among his own relations. There is no reason to believe that Talmai and his people had renounced the idolatrous worship that... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 14:1-33

4. David and Absalom CHAPTER 14 1. Joab’s scheme (2 Samuel 14:1-3 ) 2. The woman of Tekoah before the king (2 Samuel 14:4-20 ) 3. Joab brings Absalom to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:21-24 ) 4. Absalom’s beauty (2 Samuel 14:25-27 ) 5. Absalom sees his father (2 Samuel 14:28-33 ) 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... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Samuel 14:2

14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and {b} anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:(b) In token of mourning: for they used anointing to seem cheerful. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 14:1-33

David's concern for Absalom became known to Joab. Joab was a man not too concerned about truth and justice, but rather about the outward prosperity of the kingdom of Israel, for he knew that his own position depended on this. He considered that if Absalom could be brought back, the kingdom would have a better appearance of unity under David. But he did not know what danger he was inviting when he employed a wise woman to speak to David by means of a parabolic form of speech that was cunningly... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:1-33

O, ABSALOM , MY SON , MY SON ! LUST, MURDER AND DECEIT (2 Samuel 13:0 ) In the preceding lesson judgments were foretold as coming on David, and we are entering on that part of his career when the prediction is fulfilled in earnest. The foulness of this chapter we would not dwell upon more than we can help. Tamar of course, while sister to Absalom, was half-sister to Amnon, the two young men being sons of David by different wives. “A garment of divers colours” (2 Samuel 13:18 ) might be... read more

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