2 Samuel 14:33

33 So Joab went to the king and told him that. Then the king sent for Absalom. He came in and bowed down to the king with his face toward the ground. And the king kissed Absalom.

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 Joab finally went to Absalom's house. He said to Absalom, "Why did your servants set my field on fire?"

32 Absalom said to Joab, "I sent a message to you. It said, 'Come here. I want to send you to the king. I want you to ask him for me, "Why did you bring me back from Geshur? I would be better off if I were still there!" ' Now then, I want to go and see the king. If I'm guilty of doing anything wrong, let him put me to death."

33 So Joab went to the king and told him that. Then the king sent for Absalom. He came in and bowed down to the king with his face toward the ground. And the king kissed Absalom.