2 Samuel 14

2 Samuel 14:1

TOward-Absalom] That is, longed to have him fetched home.

2 Samuel 14:2

Tekoah] A city neer Jerusalem, situate on an hill on the north borders of Judah, 2 Chron. 11. 6.

anoint not] In token of mourning; for they used anointing to seem chearfull.

2 Samuel 14:3

the words] To wit, which he would have her speak to the king, Exodus 4:13.

2 Samuel 14:4

Help] Hebr. Save.

2 Samuel 14:6

there was nons] And consequently, no witnesses to prove the fact, as the law requireth.

none to part them] Hebr. no deliverer between them.

and slew him] As the avengers say, but cannot prove.

2 Samuel 14:7

the whole family] That is, the kinred, who are appointed by the law to be avengers of blood, are risen to prosecute justice against the offender, Numbers 35:19. Deuteronomy 19:12.

my cole] That is, kill my onely remaining son, by whom my husbands name and family may be continued and preserved, even as a fire almost ready to go out, may yet be again revived and kindled by a cole hid in the ashes, being kept alive and blowed upon, Deuteronomy 25:6. Rth 4:5; Rth 4:10.

upon the earth] Hebr. upon the face of the earth.

2 Samuel 14:8

give charge] To wit, that thy cause may be examined, and thy son may be preserved, if that thou sayest appear to be true.

2 Samuel 14:9

the iniquity] That is, I am so well perswaded of my sons innocency, that if there be any fault, I take it wholly upon my self and mine, that the king and his kingdom may not lie under the guilt of blood for preserving my son that is alive: or if any iniquity be in that which the king shall grant at my request, let the guilt be upon me and mine, Matthew 27:25.

2 Samuel 14:10

touch thee] That is, not put thee to any more trouble.

2 Samuel 14:11

remember] That is, how the LORD by his law hath provided, That they who have slain a man at unawares, should be preserved from the avengers of blood, Numbers 35:12. And seeing there were many that sought her sons life, the king would take order that he might be preserved against the prosecutions of them all. Some take it, That in these words she presseth him to swear that he will make good his promise.

that thou wilt not suffer the avengers of blood to destroy] Hebr. that the revenger of blood do not multiply to destroy.

As the Lord] See 1 Samuel 14:45.

not one hair] That is, I will take order that thy son shall not be hurt in the least degree or manner. So Acts 27:34.

2 Samuel 14:13

thought such a thing] Namely, to do such a thing as in any particular case thou hast judged unfit and unjust.

the people] To wit, who long for Absaloms return, as being next heir to the kingdom.

faulty] In giving such a sentence for my sons safety, which himself will not execute in his own case; though herein she flattereth the king, in that the case was far unlike, seeing Absalom did not kill Amnon at unawares, but wilfully and treacherously.

2 Samuel 14:14

we must needs die] We take his absence so much to heart, that we can no longer subsist without him, seeing we shall all be desperately lost, if such an hopefull successour be cut off: Besides, in that God hath preserved him all this time of his banishment, and now useth means to thee to perswade his restoring, it is a signe that his will is that he should succeed thee. Or, all must die first or last, and cannot be recovered, and therefore in vain to take one away for him that cannot be brought back, Chap. 12. 23.

nether doth God respect any person, yet doth he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him] Or, because God hath not taken away his life, he hath also devised means, &c.

2 Samuel 14:15

me afraid] To wit, that thou wilt ever continue his banishment, or that of themselves they will rise against thee, and bring him back against thy will: or because of the danger unto which the people are exposed, if they may not have him restored, who is right heir to the kingdom.

2 Samuel 14:16

of God] And consequently will, out of common equity, do the like favour for his own son, who is so dear to all the people, which is the inheritance of God.

2 Samuel 14:17

said] That is, thought with her self.

The word] That is, I shall receive such an answer from the king, as shall be comfortable both to my self, Absalom and all the people.

comfortable] Hebr. for rest.

an angel] That is, laying by all humane affections and perturbations, he will judge uprightly in one case as well as another.

to discern] Hebr. to hear.

2 Samuel 14:19

Is not the hand] That is, hast thou not spoken and done all in this businesse by Joabs counsell and direction?

none can] That is, thou hast judged so right, that none can decline from that which thou hast spoken, without speaking an untruth.

2 Samuel 14:20

To fetch] That is, to use this parabollicall form of speech, propounding the matter in my own case, that thou mightest the more unpartially judge of it, being applied to thy self.

wise] That is, of a deep reach, to dive into the secrets of all our counsells, as far excelling others in wisedom, as angels excell men.

2 Samuel 14:21

I have done] That is, I have granted thy suit, which by the woman of Tekoah thou hast moved me in.

2 Samuel 14:22

thanked the king] Hebr. blessed, wishing unto him all happinesse.

his] Hebr. thy.

2 Samuel 14:23

Joab arose] Hebr. That is, he addressed himself to go with all speed.

Geshur] See Chap. 3. 3.

2 Samuel 14:24

not see my face] That is, not be admitted into my presence: and this he did, partly to bring him to the sight and sense of his sin, and partly to avoid the scandall of easie remitting so foul a fact, and to deter others from doing the like.

2 Samuel 14:25

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom, for his beauty] Hebr. And as Absalom there was not a beautifull man in all Israel to praise greatly.

2 Samuel 14:26

shekels] To wit, common and civill shekels, which weighed a quarter of an ounce, or two drachms, that is, fifteen pence apiece of our coin

2 Samuel 14:28

saw not] See vers. 24.

2 Samuel 14:29

to have sent him] Namely, to mediate in his behalf, that he might be admitted into his grace and favour.

would not come] Fearing (as may be thought) that the king might suspect some secret counsells and practices between them.

2 Samuel 14:30

neer mine] Hebr. neer my place.

2 Samuel 14:31

arose] See vers. 23.

2 Samuel 14:32

answered] Hebr. that is, said unto Joab.

had been good] Or, it was better with me while I was yet there.

there still] To wit, rather then to live here out of the kings favour, and thereby to be dishonoured among the people.

any iniquity] That is, if I have offended by revenging my sisters dishonour. Thus wicked men justifie themselves in their evil actions, especially when they presume upon the favour of their judge.

2 Samuel 14:33

told him] That is, related unto him Absaloms speeches.

kissed Absalom] To give him assurance of full reconciliation, Luke 15:20.