2 Samuel 14 Bible Study - In 5 Minutes
2 Samuel 14 Summary - A Quick Overview
WHEN:
Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.
David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.
CHARACTERS:
David – The second king over all Israel and Judah.
Joab – The son of Zeruiah. He was a commander in David’s army.
Wise woman – Joab chose a woman from Tekoa to dress up as a mourning widow, in order to convince David to allow Absalom to come home.
Absalom – David’s son by Maacah (2 Sam 3:3).
Amnon – David’s son by Ahinoam (2 Sam 3:2) who Absalom killed in 2 Sam 13.
WHERE:
David’s house was in Jerusalem.
Absalom fled to Geshur (west of the Sea of Galilee) after killing his brother.
OUTLINE:
JOAB’S DECEPTION CONVINCES DAVID TO BRING ABSALOM HOME (14:1-24):
Joab knew David longed for his son Absalom, so he devised a plan.
He found a wise woman and told her to dress up like a mourner and go into the presence of the king with a sad story.
She told the king that she was a widow who had two sons, but they got into an argument, and one killed the other. Her relatives wanted the remaining son to be put to death for his crimes, but she wanted David to pardon him, because he was the last of her immediate family.
David was quick to grant the pardon. He even called on the Lord to witness his decision.
Having heard David’s decision, the women revealed her true intentions by telling David he ought to extend the same pardon to his son, Absalom, for killing his brother.
David asked the woman if Joab had devised this deception, and she admitted she had come to the king under the direction of Joab.
David, who longed for his son, gave Joab permission to go to Geshur and fetch Absalom.
Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem, but he was required to live in a separate house, and he was not allowed to enter the presence of the king.
DETAILS ABOUT ABSALOM (14:25-27):
Absalom was the most handsome man in Israel. The Bible says, “From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him” (14:25).
Absalom would let his hair grow for a year before cutting it.
Absalom had 3 sons and 1 daughter. He named his daughter Tamar (perhaps after his sister).
ABSALOM IS PERMITTED INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE KING (14:28-33):
Absalom lived in Jerusalem for 2 years without going into David’s presence.
After a while, he grew weary of his distance from the throne and sent for Joab to petition his father.
Joab didn’t initially respond to Absalom’s request, so Absalom set Joab’s field on fire to get his attention.
Joab went to king David and pleaded Absalom’s case.
David invited Absalom to come to him, which indicated David had essentially forgiven him for killing his brother Amnon.
APPLICATION:
Beauty can be extremely deceiving.
Absalom was not an honorable man. We’ve already observed that to some degree, but we’ll see it to a great degree as we progress through 2 Samuel.
That said, Absalom managed to win the hearts of the Israelites.
People have an unhealthy tendency to elevate beautiful people, regardless of their character. Just look at our celebrities, musicians, and influencers.
These people are often lifted up as role models, even though they have nothing of value to offer to society.
Interestingly, in Isaiah 53, a prophecy about Jesus, Isaiah prophesied the Savior would not be a particularly beautiful person (Isaiah 53:2).
Wisdom, virtue, and character are completely separate from physical beauty. Don’t model your life after someone who is beautiful but lacks real virtue.
