A Woman With A Story
14:1-7
Absalom was a schemer. Joab was also a schemer. He was loyal to David and concocted his schemes in order to protect him, even if it meant doing something David did not want to do.
In this case, he tried to resolve David’s dilemma with Absalom. David missed Absalom while he was in exile, but would not bring him back to Jerusalem. Bringing him back had complications. Since Absalom committed murder, he should be punished for it.
When God made made his covenant with Noah after the flood, he said he would require a reckoning for anyone who committed murder. He said “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image”. (Genesis 9:6)
God prohibited murder in the Mosaic Covenant. One of the Ten Commandments is “you shall not murder”. (Exodus 20:13) The required punishment was the death of the murderer. (Numbers 35:30)
Additionally, Mosaic Law allowed the death penalty to be enforced by “an avenger of blood” Numbers 35:19 says: “The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death”. The avenger would be the male relative closest to the deceased.
It was possible, though, that David, as king, could get away with sparing Absolam’s life. But he was probably the closest male relative to his son.
Joab took a page from Nathan’s speech to David. He recruited a woman and gave her a parable to tell David. She presented it at first as a true story, but admitted it to be a parable. (19) Basically, the woman offered a scenario where one brother killed another, but should be spared punishment for the sake of the parent (the mother).
David Sympathizes
14:8-11
The story was meant to play upon David’s emotions, that having sympathy for the woman would lead him to pardon the guilty son. It worked. David pardoned the imaginary son and promised to protect him.
The Woman Reprimands David
14:12-17
After getting the desired reaction from David, the woman went on to apply the parable to David and Absalom. She criticized David for keeping Absalom in exile, even saying God devised means for removing the banishment (without saying what those means are). She was saying “if you will protect my son, why will you not protect your own son?”.
She also alluded to the popularity of Absalom, saying “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God?”. (13)
David Discerns Joab’s Involvement
14:18-20
David was smart enough to see through the ruse, though. He confronted the woman, asking her if Joab was involved. He said “is the hand of Joab with you in all this”. (19) The woman admitted Joab told her what to say, but added that he did it to change the course of things. (20)
In response, David told Joab to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. His return was conditional, however. Absalom was to live in his own house and not come into David’s presence. (24) He was still to suffer a sort of exile. He did not have the king’s favor as the oldest (surviving) son.
A Brief Biography Of Absalom
14:21-27
The writer inserted a brief biography of Absalom at this point. (25) Absalom was very handsome. He had a great head of hair. He had three sons. He also had a daughter whom he named after his sister and who was beautiful like his sister.
This insertion seems to be foreshadowing. Good looks are often a key to popularity. Absalom will become popular and us his popularity to undermine his father.
Absalom Wants More
14:28-33
After two years of living like this, Absalom was dissatisfied. He died to summon Joab for help, but Joab did not respond. It is likely that Joab knew what Absalom would ask.
Not to be denied, Absalom set fire to one of Joab’s fields to get his attention. It worked. Joab came to see him.
Absalom did request Joab’s assistance in getting into the presence of his father. Joab got it done. David and Absalom had at least a partial reconciliation as Absalom humbled himself before David and David kissed him.
We will see, though, that Absalom had further ambitions.
Takeaways
The people in this story are clever. They know how to manipulate people to get what they want.
These people are not wise, however. They do not consult God through the prophet. They do not follow God’s law, though it is clear on this matter.
At this point in the story, it would be easy to think that Absalom’s return was God’s blessing on him. But, we will see that it leads actually to more of God’s judgment on David.
Two caveats: first, be careful with your ambitions. Philippians 2:3-4 says: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This is in a church context, but does show that ambition can get out of hand. It is ok to want to succeed, but it is not ok to use sinful methods to do it.
Second, control your temper. Otherwise you will make bad decisions with damaging consequences. “Be angry and do not sin; do to let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27
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