2 Samuel 14:29-33

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 14:29

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:33

So Joab came to the king, and told him ,.... What Absalom had said to him: and when he had called for Absalom ; sent messengers to his house to order him to come to him: he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king ; made a very reverend bow to him, according to the custom of those times, throwing himself at his feet in great submission to him: and the king kissed Absalom ; in token of his reconciliation to him; which laid the foundation of his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 14:30

Go and set it on fire - This was strange conduct, but it had the desired effect. He had not used his influence to get Absalom to court; now he uses it, and succeeds. Additional observations on 2 Samuel 14:26 ; : - "And at every year's end, he (Absalom) polled his head; and he weighed the hair at two hundred shekels." The very learned Bochart has written a dissertation on this subject (vide Bocharti Opera, vol. iii., col. 883, edit. Lugd. 1692) in a letter to his friend M.... 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 14:28-33

Restored, but act reformed. "Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it were better for me that I were there still; and now I will see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him put me to death" ( 2 Samuel 14:31 ). While in Geshur Absalom showed no repentance for his crime; sought no forgiveness of it; rather justified himself in its commission. On this account, perhaps, David would not permit him, when recalled, to see his face, but ordered him to remain at his own house ( 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:29

Absalom sent for Joab. As Joab had been the means of bringing him back, Absalom naturally regarded him as a friend. But Joab had performed the former service for other reasons, and it does not seem as if he really had any affection for Absalom. read more

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