2 Samuel 14:22

22 And Joab falling down to the ground upon his face, adored, and blessed the king: and Joab said: This day thy servant hath understood, that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king: for thou hast fulfilled the request of thy servant.

2 Samuel 14:22 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 14:22

And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself,
&c.] Or bowed so low as to the ground, in reverence of the king:

and thanked the king;
for giving him leave to fetch Absalom home, as if it was a favour done to himself: or "blessed" F19 him; wished all happiness and prosperity might attend him, in consequence of this grant, which he knew would be acceptable to the people:

and Joab said, today thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in
thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request
of his servant;
he might presume upon this, that as the king had given orders at his request to recall Absalom, who had murdered his brother, which was tacitly giving him a pardon; so he would forgive him the murder of Abner, ( 2 Samuel 3:30 ) , and think no more of it; since he perceived now, which he had not so clearly perceived before from that time, that he found grace in his sight, or shared in his favour and good will, as now he saw he did.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Krbyw) "et benedixit", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

2 Samuel 14:22 In-Context

20 That I should come about with this form of speech, thy servant Joab commanded this: but thou, my lord, O king, art wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to understand all things upon earth.
21 And the king said to Joab: Behold I am appeased and have granted thy request: Go therefore and fetch back the boy Absalom.
22 And Joab falling down to the ground upon his face, adored, and blessed the king: and Joab said: This day thy servant hath understood, that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king: for thou hast fulfilled the request of thy servant.
23 Then Joab arose and went to Gessur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24 But the king said: Let him return into his house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned into his house, and saw not the king’s face.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.