2 Samuel 14:33

33 Joab went to the king and reported this to him. Then the king called for Absalom, and Absalom came to the king. He bowed low out of respect, nose to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom.

2 Samuel 14:33 Meaning and 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 after troubles from him, related in the following chapters.

2 Samuel 14:33 In-Context

31 So Joab went straight to Absalom's house and said to him, "Why have your servants set my property on fire?"

32 Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent you a message: Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, ‘Why have I returned from Geshur? I would be better off if I were still there!' Please let me see the king's face. If I'm guilty, then the king can kill me."

33 Joab went to the king and reported this to him. Then the king called for Absalom, and Absalom came to the king. He bowed low out of respect, nose to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom.