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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 14:30

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

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 14:30

Go, and set it on fire. The Hebrew has, Go, and I will set it on fire. Absalom represents himself as doing in his own person what his servants were to be his instruments in accomplishing. The versions, however, agree with the Massorites in substituting the easy phrase in the text. But few languages are so indifferent to persons and numbers as the Hebrew. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 14:30

2 Samuel 14:30. Go and set it on fire Absalom’s ambition could but ill endure Joab’s coldness and delay, and therefore he ordered this extraordinary step to be taken that he might be set right with his father, a step which showed him determined to go any lengths, rather than fall short of his ambitious aims. For he that could order his friend’s field, and that friend so great a man as Joab, and his near kinsman, to be set on fire, barely that he might be admitted to court, would little... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:1-33

David’s family troubles begin (13:1-14:33)The first of the foretold disgraces that fell on David’s family followed the same pattern as David’s own sin: sexual immorality followed by murder, with the murderer carefully plotting how to get rid of his victim.Amnon, David’s eldest son, tried to seduce his half-sister Tamar, but when Tamar resisted him he raped her (13:1-14). Cruelly, Amnon then drove Tamar away, and the young princess cried bitterly at the loss of her virginity in such... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 14:21-33

Absalom’s return to Jerusalem 14:21-33Joab’s masquerade proved effective. David agreed to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:21). However, even though he did not execute him, neither did David restore Absalom to fellowship with himself (2 Samuel 14:24). His forgiveness was official but not personal. This led to more trouble. Thankfully God both forgives us and restores us to fellowship with Himself.2 Samuel 14:25-27 give information about Absalom that helps us understand why he... 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

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