2 Samuel 14:33

33 Then Jo'ab went to the king, and told him; and he summoned Ab'salom. So he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king; and the king kissed Ab'salom.

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 Then Jo'ab arose and went to Ab'salom at his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?"
32 Ab'salom answered Jo'ab, "Behold, I sent word to you, 'Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still." Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king; and if there is guilt in me, let him kill me.'"
33 Then Jo'ab went to the king, and told him; and he summoned Ab'salom. So he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king; and the king kissed Ab'salom.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.