2 Samuel 14:25-26 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:21-27

Observe here, I. Orders given for the bringing back of Absalom. The errand on which the woman came to David was so agreeable, and her management of it so very ingenious and surprising, that he was brought into a peculiarly kind humour: Go (says he to Joab), bring the young man Absalom again, 2 Sam. 14:21. He was himself inclined to favour him, yet, for the honour of his justice, he would not do it but upon intercession made for him, which may illustrate the methods of divine grace. It is true... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:25

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty ,.... Which is observed to account in some measure for the interest he had in the affections of the people, both now and hereafter: from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him ; not any spot, freckle, wart, scurf, or scab; nothing deficient or superfluous in him; no disproportion of parts, nor any disagreeable feature; but an entire symmetry, and perfect comeliness, which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:26

And when he polled his head ,.... Or cut off the hair of it; for that was one thing, a good head of hair which he had, that made him look very comely and beautiful: for it was at every year's end that he polled it ; or cut it off once a year; but the Jews say F23 Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Nazir, c 1. sect. 2. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 9. fol. 194. 3. Gloss. T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 10. 2. he was a perpetual Nazarite: because the hair was heavy upon him, and therefore he polled... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 and regular in all his features, and in all his proportions. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:21-33

Imperfect reconciliation. The facts are: 1 . David, referring to the promise he had made, sends Joab to bring Absalom from Geshur, Joab expressing in lowly form his thanks for the king's gracious attention to his request. 2 . On Absalom's return he is ordered to abide in his own house, and not to see the king's face. 3 . The personal beauty of Absalom is famous throughout Israel, and of his four children the only daughter is also reputed to be fair. 4 . For two years... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:25

Physical beauty. "And in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty," etc. (see 1 Samuel 16:7 , 1 Samuel 16:12 ; 2 Samuel 11:2 ; 2 Samuel 13:1 ; 2 Samuel 13:27 ). "Of all God's works, which do this world adorn, There is no one more fair and excellent Than is man's body, both for power and form, Whilst it is kept in sober government; But none than it more foul and indecent, Distempered through misrule anti passions base; It grows a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:25

Absalom's beauty. This remark, thrown in by the way, has more to do with the main course of the narrative than at first appears. The personal beauty of Absalom accounts in part for the excessive fondness of David for him, for his vanity and ambition, and for his powerful influence over others; and, so far as it consisted in abundance of fine hair, appears to have been the immediate occasion of his miserable end. It may serve us as the starting point of some remarks on beauty of person. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:26

Two hundred shekels after the king's weight. Unless the royal shekel was smaller than the shekel of the sanctuary, the weight of Absalom's hair would be six pounds. But we cannot believe that the king's shekel was not full weight; for to imagine this is to suppose that the king had tampered with the coinage; for the shekel was a coin as well as a weight, being originally a fixed quantity of silver. As a matter of fact, David had amassed too much silver to have need of resorting to what is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 14:26

Two hundred shekels ... - The exact weight cannot be determined. If these “shekels after the king’s weight” were the same as “shekels of the sanctuary,” the weight would be about 6 lbs., which is incredible; “twenty” shekels is more probable. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:21-27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 14:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 14:26

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:21-33

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:26

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 14:26

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