2 Samuel 14 Study Notes

14:18 David was indeed discerning, and he suspected the woman’s collaboration with a member of the royal family.

14:19-20 The woman confessed that Joab had used her to address the issue indirectly, but David had seen through her presentation.

14:21 Despite David’s recognition of Joab’s ploy, he asked his nephew to bring Absalom from Geshur.

14:22 Joab appeared pleased to have played a part in beginning the reconciliation process between David and Absalom.

14:23-24 Ironically, David gave Absalom permission to return to his house, but he would not give Absalom an audience. David’s “halfway” decision only inflamed the tension between himself and his son.

14:25 The description of Absalom’s physical appearance makes him sound like a leader, and it prepares the reader for Absalom’s coup attempt in chap. 15.

14:26 Five pounds is literally “two hundred shekels.” Many manuscripts say “one hundred shekels.” Absalom’s thick hair would have made him appear strong and powerful to many people.

14:27 Absalom had a daughter named Tamar. This was his way of honoring his sister.

14:28-30 Both David and Absalom lived in Jerusalem, but they did not speak to each other for two years as the tension between them mounted. Absalom knew if he set the field of Joab on fire, Joab could no longer avoid talking to him as he had done up to that point.

14:31-32 Absalom asked Joab to get him an audience with David. He suggested it would have been preferable for him to remain in Geshur. Absalom wanted his father to decide once and for all how he would handle his murder of Amnon.

Shalom is in an important OT theological word family. The root occurs in all Semitic languages with meanings similar to Hebrew. Shalom usually means peace (Gn 15:15) and can function adverbially (peaceably) and adjectivally (peaceful). Safety (Zch 8:10) is also a frequent connotation (safe, safely). The noun indicates well-being (1Sm 17:18), assurance (1Sm 20:42), prosperity (Is 9:7), success (Is 45:7), or health (Ps 38:3). Shalom can be a favorable answer (Gn 41:16) or allies (Ps 69:22). Other adverbial ideas are well (Gn 29:6), quietly (1Sm 29:7), completely (Jr 13:19), and all right (2Sm 18:29). Adjectivally, shalom can mean satisfied (Ex 18:23), secure (Jb 5:24), or unscathed (Jr 43:12). “Asking about shalom” is greeting (1Sm 30:21) or asking how someone is (1Sm 10:4). “Men of shalom” are people trusted (Jr 20:10) or trusted friends (Jr 38:22). “Speaking shalom” is speaking in friendly ways (Ps 28:3).

14:33 Absalom finally met with his father, David, but this one meeting would not heal a wound that had festered for five years (v. 28; 13:38).