2 Samuel 14:30

30 Therefore he said unto his servants, "See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire." And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.

2 Samuel 14:30 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 14:30

Therefore he said unto his servants
That did his business for him in the field, in keeping his flocks, and tilling his ground:

see Joab's field is near mine:
for great personages in those days attended to husbandry:

and he hath barley there, go and set it on fire;
it being ripe, and so capable of being fired, and therefore must be some time in March or April, when barley harvest began; he served Joab as Samson did the Philistines, ( Judges 15:4 ) ; which shows him to be a bold, and revengeful, and ungrateful man, to use his friend, and the general of the king's army, after this manner:

and Absalom's servants set the field on fire;
as their master had bid them, and which is no wonder; for as they murdered Ammon at his command, they would not stop at burning Joab's field, when he bid them do it; see ( 2 Samuel 13:28 2 Samuel 13:29 ) .

2 Samuel 14:30 In-Context

28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.

29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king, but he would not come to him; and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

30 Therefore he said unto his servants, "See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire." And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.

31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, "Why have thy servants set my field on fire?"

32 And Absalom answered Joab, "Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, `Come hither, that I may send thee to the king to say, "Why have I come from Geshur? It had been good for me to have been there still!"' Now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me."