Shmuel Bais 14:30

30 Therefore he said unto his avadim, See, the allotted land of Yoav is near mine, and he hath se’orim (barley) there; go and kindle it with eish. And the avadim of Avshelom set eish to the allotted land.

Shmuel Bais 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 ) .

Shmuel Bais 14:30 In-Context

28 So Avshalom dwelt two full shanim in Yerushalayim, and saw not the face of HaMelech.

29 Therefore Avshalom sent for Yoav, to have sent him to HaMelech; 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 avadim, See, the allotted land of Yoav is near mine, and he hath se’orim (barley) there; go and kindle it with eish. And the avadim of Avshelom set eish to the allotted land.

31 Then Yoav arose, and came to Avshalom unto his bais, and said unto him, Why have thy avadim set eish to my allotted land?

32 And Avshalom answered Yoav, Hinei, I sent unto thee, saying, Come here, that I may send thee to HaMelech, to say, why am I come from Geshur? It had been tov (better) for me to have been there still; now therefore let me see the face of HaMelech; and if there be any avon (iniquity) in me, let him kill me.