Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
After pardoning a man for killing his brother, David decides to forgive Absalom for killing Amnon. Absalom is brought to Jerusalem to meet with David.
II. Photo
Absalom gets Joab’s attention: “[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.” (v. 30)
III. Important Verses
1-3: Joab son of Zeruiah could see that the king’s mind was on Absalom; so Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a clever woman from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning; put on mourning clothes and don’t anoint yourself with oil; and act like a woman who has grieved a long time over a departed one. Go to the king and say to him thus and thus.” And Joab told her what to say.
11: She replied, “Let Your Majesty be mindful of the LORD your God and restrain the blood avenger bent on destruction, so that my son may not be killed.” And he said, “As the LORD lives, not a hair of your son shall fall to the ground.”
12-13: Then the woman said, “Please let your maidservant say another word to my lord the king.” “Speak on,” said the king. And the woman said, “Why then have you planned the like against God’s people? In making this pronouncement, Your Majesty condemns himself in that Your Majesty does not bring back his own banished one.
14: We must all die; we are like water that is poured out on the ground and cannot be gathered up. God will not take away the life of one who makes plans so that no one may be kept banished.
25-26: No one in all Israel was so admired for his beauty as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head he was without blemish. When he cut his hair — he had to have it cut every year, for it grew too heavy for him — the hair of his head weighed two hundred shekels by the royal weight.
27: Absalom had three sons and a daughter whose name was Tamar; she was a beautiful woman.
28-30: Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without appearing before the king. Then Absalom sent for Joab, in order to send him to the king; but Joab would not come to him. He sent for him a second time, but he would not come. So [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.
IV. Outline
1-3. Joab devises a plan to reunite David with Absalom
4-11. A woman tells David of her son’s plight
12-20. The woman explains her intent
21-22. David sends for Absalom
23-24. Absalom is brought to Jerusalem
25-26. Absalom’s beauty
27. Absalom’s family
28-32. Absalom’s demand to see David
33. David and Absalom meet
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Anderson, A. A. “2 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 11 (Waco Texas: Wordbooks, 1989).
Campbell, Antony F. “2 Samuel” The Forms of the Old Testament Literature, vol 8 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eedrdmans, 2005).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from http://dansaavedra.com/mosaic/fire_4237.jpg
