2 Samuel 14:28
2 Samuel 14:28 in Multiple Translations
Now Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king.
¶ So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.
And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem; and he saw not the king’s face.
For two full years Absalom was living in Jerusalem without ever seeing the face of the king.
Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years but was not permitted to see the king.
So Absalom dwelt the space of two yeres in Ierusalem, and saw not the Kings face.
And Absalom dwelleth in Jerusalem two years of days, and the face of the king he hath not seen;
Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.
And Absalom dwelt two years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.
After Absalom returned to Jerusalem, he lived there two years, and during that time he never was allowed to see the king.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 14:28
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 14:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֧שֶׁב
אַבְשָׁל֛וֹם
בִּ/ירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
שְׁנָתַ֣יִם
יָמִ֑ים
וּ/פְנֵ֥י
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
לֹ֥א
רָאָֽה
וַ/יֵּ֧שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אַבְשָׁל֛וֹם
ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
H53
Absalom
N-proper
בִּ/ירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
Jerusalem
Prep | N-proper
שְׁנָתַ֣יִם
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fd
יָמִ֑ים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
וּ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
Conj | N-cp
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
רָאָֽה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 14:28
וַ/יֵּ֧שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
אַבְשָׁל֛וֹם
ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
H53
"Absalom"
N-proper
Absalom was a son of King David, mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:3, and had several half-brothers. He is also referred to as Abishalom in some translations. Absalom played a significant role in the United Monarchy period.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.3; son of: David (H1732) and Maacah (H4601I); half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); father of: Tamar (H8559I); also called Abishalom at 1Ki.15.2,10; § Absalom or Abishalom = "my father is peace" 1) father-in-law of Rehoboam 2) third son of David, killer of first-born son Amnon, also leader of revolt against his father-David
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: Abishalom, Absalom. See also: 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 3:1.
בִּ/ירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
"Jerusalem"
Prep | N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
שְׁנָתַ֣יִם
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fd
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
יָמִ֑ים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
וּ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Conj | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
רָאָֽה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 14:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Absalom Reconciled to David
26And when he cut the hair of his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy—he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels, according to the royal standard.
27Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman.
28Now Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king.
29Then he sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So Absalom sent a second time, but Joab still would not come. 30Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.2 Samuel 14:28 Summary
[This verse tells us that Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without seeing his father, King David. This means that Absalom was not allowed to be in the king's presence, and it shows that there was a big problem between them. We can learn from this that our actions can have big consequences, and that it's not always easy to fix things when we've done something wrong (as we see in 2 Samuel 13:28). But we can also learn that waiting and seeking forgiveness can be an important part of making things right, as we see in Psalm 51:17 and Matthew 5:23-24.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Absalom not see the king's face for two years?
Absalom did not see the king's face for two years because he had been estranged from his father, King David, due to his past actions, as seen in 2 Samuel 13:28 and 2 Samuel 13:38-39, where Absalom had killed his brother Amnon and then fled to Geshur.
What does it mean to 'see the face of the king' in this context?
To 'see the face of the king' means to have an audience with the king, to be in his presence, and to receive his favor or forgiveness, similar to how it is described in Esther 1:14 and 1 Samuel 20:6, where certain individuals had access to the king's court.
How does Absalom's situation relate to our lives today?
Absalom's situation can be seen as a reminder that our actions have consequences, and that reconciliation with God and others is often a process that takes time, as seen in Psalm 51:17 and Matthew 5:23-24, where we are encouraged to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
What can we learn from Absalom's experience of waiting?
We can learn from Absalom's experience that waiting can be a difficult and trying time, but it can also be a time of growth and reflection, as seen in Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31, where we are encouraged to wait on the Lord and trust in His timing.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt estranged from God or others, and how can I seek reconciliation?
- How can I use times of waiting to reflect on my actions and seek forgiveness, as Absalom did?
- What are some ways that I can seek to 'see the face of the king' in my own life, through prayer and seeking God's presence?
- How can I trust in God's timing and plan, even when I am waiting for something or someone, as Absalom waited to see the king?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 14:28
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem,.... After his return from Geshur: and saw not the king's face; all that time; which was owing either to the king's resentment of the fact committed by him, or to state policy.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 14:28
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:28
2 Samuel 14:28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’ s face.Ver. 28. Dwelt two full years in Jerusalem.] During which time he had used means, likely, to be reconciled, and admitted to the royal presence. Robert, Earl of Essex, when banished the court, wrote to Queen Elizabeth, that he could never recover his wonted joy, till he beheld her comfortable eyes, which had been his guiding stars; and by the conduct whereof, he had sailed most happily, whilst he held his course in a just latitude. And saw not the king’ s face.] Unless it were at the public ordinances. Camden’ s Elisab.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:28
28. Two full years… and saw not the king’s face. — Tiresome waiting for a restless soul like Absalom. Better for him were the wilds of Geshur, where the restraints of law and fear of the king pressed lightly on his thoughts.