2 Samuel 14:2-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:1-20

Here is, I. Joab's design to get Absalom recalled out of banishment, his crime pardoned, and his attainder reversed, 2 Sam. 14:1. Joab made himself very busy in this affair. 1. As a courtier that was studious, by all ways possible, to ingratiate himself with his prince and improve his interest in his favour: He perceived that the king's heart was towards Absalom, and that, the heat of his displeasure being over, he still retained his old affection for him, and only wanted a friend to court him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:2

And Joab sent to Tekoah ,.... Which Kimchi says was a city in the tribe of Asher, and others in the tribe of Benjamin, but it seems rather to be in the tribe, of Judah, 2 Chronicles 11:5 ; according Jerom F19 Proem. in Amos, & Comment. in Jer. vi. 1. , it was twelve miles from Jerusalem, though in another place F20 De loc. Heb. in. voce "Elthei", fol. 91. B. he says it was but nine; of this place was Amos, and some think F21 In Hieron. Trad. Heb. in 2 Reg. fol. 78. 1. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:3

And come to the king ,.... At his palace, in the above condition and circumstances: and speak on this manner unto him ; something to the following purpose he dictated to her: so Joab put the words in her mouth ; the substance of what she should say; the fable she was to deliver as her own case might be framed by Joab, and which she delivered word for word exactly as he put it, and the application of it; but as he knew not what questions the king would ask her, so he could not dictate... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:4

And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king ,.... Or after she had spoken to him, being introduced by Joab, as is probable; when she had saluted him with God save the king, or May the king live, or some such like expressions: she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance ; to him as her king, in reverence of his majesty: and said, help, O king ; signifying that she was in great distress, and came to him for assistance and deliverance. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:5

And the king said unto her, what aileth thee ?.... Or what is thy case? What is the condition, and what the circumstances, that thou art in, which require help and assistance? intimating that he was ready to grant it on knowledge thereof; however, he was ready to hear what she had to say: and she answered, I am indeed a widow woman ; of a truth a widow, as the Targum; she was really one, a widow indeed, as in 1 Timothy 5:3 ; not one that was separated from her husband, he being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:6

And thy handmaid had two sons ,.... Two are observed, that her case might suit with Amnon and Absalom: and they two strove together in the field ; they quarrelled, and fought in the field, where there were no witnesses of what they did to each other; whereby she would suggest that Ammon was killed in the field, of which there were no witnesses, and therefore Absalom ought not to die; whereas it was in Absalom's house, at his table, and where the rest of the king's sons were present, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:7

And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid ,.... Who had sheltered her son, that slew his brother, from the avenger of blood; and not only the next akin, the avenger of blood, but even all the kindred and relations of the deceased, those of her husband's family rose up as one man, demanding justice: and they said, deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he slew ; pretending great regard to the deceased, and a zeal for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:8

And the king said to the woman, go to thine house ,.... Go home and make thyself easy: and I will give charge concerning thee ; intimating that he would inquire into her case; and if it was as she had represented it, he would give orders that she should not be disturbed, or be obliged to deliver up her son, and that he should be safe from those that sought his life. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:9

And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, my lord and king ,.... With much vehemence, and yet with great respect, fearing an inquisition into her case; which it would not bear, being a fable, and being very desirous of having sentence on it immediately pronounced: the iniquity be on me and on my father's house ; let the crime be imputed to me and my family, and punishment inflicted on us for it, if I have misrepresented the case, told lies, and deceived the king: and the king and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:10

And the king said, whoever saith ought unto thee ,.... Demanding her to deliver up her son to justice, and reproaching her for not doing it: bring him to me ; give him in charge to a proper officer to be brought before me, and I shall chastise him for it: and he shall not touch thee any more ; give her any further trouble, by words or deeds. read more

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