2 Samuel 14:28-33

28 So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence.
29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come.
30 Then he said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire." So Absalom's servants set the field on fire.[a]
31 Then Joab arose and went to Absalom at his house and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?"
32 Absalom answered Joab, "Behold, I sent word to you, 'Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, "Why have I come from 1Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still." Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, 2and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.'"
33 Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.

2 Samuel 14:28-33 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 14

This chapter relates that Joab, perceiving David's inclination to bring back Absalom, employed a wise woman of Tekoah to lay before him a feigned case of hers, drawn up by Joab, whereby this point was gained from the king, that murder might be dispensed with in her case, 2Sa 14:1-20; which being applied to the case of Absalom, and the king finding out that the hand of Joab was in this, sent for him, and ordered him to bring Absalom again, though as yet he would not see his face, 2Sa 14:21-24; and after some notice being taken of the beauty of Absalom's person, particularly of his head of hair, and of the number of his children, 2Sa 14:25-27; it is related, that after two full years Absalom was uneasy that he might not see the king's face, and sent for Joab, who refused to come to him, till he found means to oblige him to it, who, with the king's leave, introduced him to him, 2Sa 14:28-33.

Cross References 2

  • 1. [See ver. 23 above]
  • 2. 1 Samuel 20:8

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Septuagint, Dead Sea Scroll add So Joab's servants came to him with their clothes torn, and they said to him, "The servants of Absalom have set your field on fire."
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.