2 Samuel 14:4-20 NIV

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 14:4

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:11

Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the Lord thy God ,.... Who is a God gracious and merciful, and imitate him in showing mercy to the distressed; pitying their case, having compassion upon them, and relieving them, as she hoped he would commiserate her case, and provide for the safety of her son. Some think she desires not only to give his word, but his oath, for her son's safety: "remember the Lord thy God"; i.e. make mention of him, as men do when they swear by him; swear to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:12

Then the woman said, let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my Lord the king ,.... Having gained her point, and gotten a decree from him confirmed by an oath, that her son though he had killed his brother should not die; she proceeds to accommodate the parable, and apply it to the case of Absalom, and improve it in his favour: and he said, say on ; gave her leave to say what she had further to observe to him; see Luke 7:40 . read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 14:12

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