1 Now Joab H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 perceived H3045 that the king's H4428 heart H3820 was toward Absalom. H53
And the soul of king H4428 David H1732 longed H3615 to go forth H3318 unto Absalom: H53 for he was comforted H5162 concerning Amnon, H550 seeing he was dead. H4191
And there were three H7969 sons H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 there, Joab, H3097 and Abishai, H52 and Asahel: H6214 and Asahel H6214 was as light H7031 of foot H7272 as a H259 wild H7704 roe. H6643
And the king H4428 was much moved, H7264 and went up H5927 to the chamber H5944 over the gate, H8179 and wept: H1058 and as he went, H3212 thus he said, H559 O my son H1121 Absalom, H53 my son, H1121 my son H1121 Absalom! H53 would God I had died H4191 for thee, H5414 O Absalom, H53 my son, H1121 my son! H1121
And the victory H8668 that day H3117 was turned into mourning H60 unto all the people: H5971 for the people H5971 heard H8085 say H559 that day H3117 how the king H4428 was grieved H6087 for his son. H1121
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Samuel 14
Commentary on 2 Samuel 14 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 14
How Absalom threw himself out of his royal father's protection and favour we read in the foregoing chapter, which left him an exile, outlawed, and proscribed; in this chapter we have the arts that were used to bring him and his father together again, and how, at last, it was done, which is here recorded to show the folly of David in sparing him and indulging him in his wickedness, for which he was soon after severely corrected by his unnatural rebellion.
2Sa 14:1-20
Here is,
2Sa 14:21-27
Observe here,
2Sa 14:28-33
Three years Absalom had been an exile from his father-in-law, and now two years a prisoner at large in his own house, and, in both, better dealt with than he deserved; yet his spirit was still unhumbled, his pride unmortified, and, instead of being thankful that his life is spared, he thinks himself sorely wronged that he is not restored to all his places at court. Had he truly repented of his sin, his distance from the gaieties of the court, and his solitude and retirement in his own house, especially being in Jerusalem the holy city, would have been very agreeable to him. If a murderer must live, yet let him be for ever a recluse. But Absalom could not bear this just and gentle mortification. He longed to see the king's face, pretending it was because he loved him, but really because he wanted an opportunity to supplant him. He cannot do his father a mischief till he is reconciled to him; this therefore is the first branch of his plot; this snake cannot sting again till he be warmed in his father's bosom. He gained this point, not by pretended submissions and promises of reformation, but (would you think it?) by insults and injuries.