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
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