2 Samuel 14: Absalom returns

Synopsis:

Joab, David’s right hand man realized that David wants Absalom back. So he hires a woman to pretend to be a mourner who speaks to the king about how important it is to forgive a son who killed his brother. David realizes that Joab sent the woman and sends for Absalom to return, but refuses to see him. Joab won’t even speak to him, so Absalom has his servants set Joab’s fields on fire. When Joab asks him why – he says – well, I couldn’t get your attention any other way.

In other words:

David misses Absalom and has him return, but refuses to see him.

Favorite bit:

2 Samuel 14:19 – Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this?   - Yes, yes he is.

2nd favorite bit:

2 Samuel 14:2 – that the woman hired to pretend to be a mourner is named Tekoah. Given how rarely we are given women’s names. That’s kind of a big deal.

Funniest bit:

2 Samuel 14:28-33 – Absalom is in Jerusalem for 2 years and is kept away from his father. And Joab refuses to see him. So Absalom sets Joab’s field on fire.  “Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?”  (It strikes me funny that you can set the field on fire to the first aid to the king and he will come by casually to say – hey – why did you do that?)

Sweetest bit:

2 Samuel 14:27 – And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of fair countenance.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Don’t ignore people (2 Samuel 14)