2 Samuel 14:25-33

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:28-33

Three years Absalom had been an exile from his father-in-law, and now two years a prisoner at large in his own house, and, in both, better dealt with than he deserved; yet his spirit was still unhumbled, his pride unmortified, and, instead of being thankful that his life is spared, he thinks himself sorely wronged that he is not restored to all his places at court. Had he truly repented of his sin, his distance from the gaieties of the court, and his solitude and retirement in his own house,... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:27

And unto Absalom there were born three sons ,.... Who very probably died young; and the rather it may be thought so, since their names are not given, and more especially since it is said that Absalom had no sons, and therefore erected a pillar to keep up the remembrance of his name; unless it can be thought that that was set up before he had any sons, which is not so likely; see 2 Samuel 18:18 , and one daughter, whose name was Tamar ; and whom he named after his sister Tamar, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:28

So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem ,.... After his return from Geshur: and saw not the king's face ; all that time; which was owing either to the king's resentment of the fact committed by him, or to state policy. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:29

Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king ,.... To introduce him into his presence, being uneasy to be thus confined at his own house, and not suffered to come to court: but he would not come to him ; knowing the king's mind, and being unwilling to disoblige him by a troublesome solicitation: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come ; knowing his business with him; and perhaps between the first time of his sending and this he had sounded the king... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:30

Therefore he said unto his servants ,.... That did his business for him in the field, in keeping his flocks, and tilling his ground: see Joab's field is near mine : for great personages in those days attended to husbandry: and he hath barley there, go and set it on fire ; it being ripe, and so capable of being fired, and therefore must be some time in March or April, when barley harvest began; he served Joab as Samson did the Philistines, Judges 15:4 ; which shows him to be a bold,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:31

Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house ,.... Provoked at what he had done, and to know the reason of it; and which was answering Absalom's end: and said unto him, wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire ? which was not only injurious to his property, but a malicious action. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:32

And Absalom answered Joab ,.... Neither denying the fact, nor being ashamed of it, nor asking pardon for it; but endeavouring to vindicate it, by giving a reason as he thought sufficient for it: behold, I sent unto thee, saying, come hither, that I may send thee to the king ; which was assuming great authority over a person in such an high office as Joab was; had he been king, he could not have used more, to send for him, and command his attendance, and send him on what errand he thought... read more

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