2 Samuel 14:30

30 Therefore he said to his servants, "See, ¹Joab'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.

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 Now Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and did not see the king's face.

29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. So he sent again a second time, but he would not come.

30 Therefore 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.

31 Then Joab arose, came 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 for you, saying, 'Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me still to be there."' Now therefore, let me see the king's face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him put me to death."

Cross References

• 1. Judges 15:3-5

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "portion"
• [b]. Lit "portion"