2 Samuel 14

Joab’s Plot to Bring Absalom Back

1 Joab knew King David was hurting and missing Absalom.

2 So Joab got a wise woman from Tekoa. He said, “Act like you been crying for days. Put on mourning clothes, do not wear perfume, look like you been grieving for a long time.”

3 “Go talk to the king and tell him what I say.” So she did what Joab told her.

The Woman Talks to the King

4 She came to David, bowed low, and said, “Help me, Your Majesty!”

5 He said, “What is going on?” She said, “I am a widow. My husband is dead.”

6 “I had two sons. They got into a fight in the field. Nobody was around to break it up. One of them killed the other.”

7 “Now the whole fam wants the killer dead, they say he must pay. But if they take him out, I will lose my last son, and my husband’s name will disappear forever.”

David Tries to Help

8 The king said, “Go home. I will take care of it.”

9 She said, “If anybody is wrong here, let the blame fall on me and my family, not you, king.”

10 David said, “If anybody comes at you, bring him to me, he will not bother you again.”

11 She said, “Swear by the Lord you will not let anyone take out my son.” David said, “As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair on his head will fall.”

She Flips the Script

12 Then she said, “Can I say one more thing?” He said, “Go ahead.”

13 She said, “So why you tryna do this to God’s people, You have convicted yourself. You will not let your own son come home.”

14 “We all must die someday, like water spilling on the ground. But God makes ways to bring back the outcast. He does not just leave people lost.”

15 “I said all this because the people were scaring me. I wanted to come talk to you. I said, ‘Maybe the king will hear me out.’”

16 “You can rescue me and my son from those trying to erase us.”

17 “I trust your wisdom, King, like an angel from God, knowing right from wrong. May the Lord your God be with you.”

David Sees Through It

18 The king said, “Be real with me. Did Joab put you up to this,” She said, “Yes, king, you are right. Joab told me what to say.”

19 “He put the whole plan together. But he only did it to help you.”

20 “My lord, you wise, like an angel of God. You see everything.”

Absalom Comes Home

21 The king said to Joab, “Alright, you win. Go bring Absalom back.”

22 Joab bowed down, face to the ground, and said, “Thank You, king. You have shown me favor today.”

23 So Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.

24 But the king said, “He can come back, but I do not want to see his face.” So Absalom lived in Jerusalem, but he did not see the king.

Absalom’s Style

25 Now Absalom was the finest dude in all Israel, good-looking from head to toe.

26 He had long hair, once a year he would cut it when it got too heavy. It weighed about five pounds.

27 He had three sons and a daughter named Tamar, she was beautiful, just like her aunt.

Absalom Wants a Meeting

28 Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years and still did not see the king.

29 He tried to send for Joab to talk to the king, but Joab would not come. He tried again, still no show.

30 So Absalom told his servants, “Listen, Joab’s barley field is next to mine, set it on fire.” And they did.

31 Joab came mad: “Why did your boys burn my field?”

32 Absalom said, “I sent for you twice! I need to talk to the king. What is the point of me coming back if I cannot even see him, If he thinks I am guilty, let him kill me.”

Father & Son Reunite

33 So Joab went to the king and told him everything. David called for Absalom. Absalom came in, bowed down with his face to the floor, and the king kissed him.