Study notes

2 Samuel 14

Introducing 2 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

11:1–14:33 Section

David broke three of the Ten Commandments in these chapters. He wanted his neighbour’s wife Bathsheba.

He committed adultery with her. Then he committed murder by having her husband Uriah killed. According to the Law of Moses, David should have been put to death for these things.

At first David wasn’t sorry for what he had done. Then he heard the story Nathan told about a rich man and a poor man. This story helped David to recognise how he had sinned.

Nathan went on to explain the judgement that David would face for his evil deeds. The son born to him and Bathsheba would die. And there would be terrible trouble in David’s family.

David’s eldest son Amnon caused trouble when he raped his sister Tamar. David did nothing to punish Amnon or to bring justice for Tamar. Then David’s son Absalom caused trouble when he killed Amnon.

David was very sad about this. He avoided seeing Absalom for many years but didn’t take action to punish Absalom.

14:2

The woman with a reputation for great wisdom was summoned to carry out a delicate mission in the royal court (compare 2 Samuel 20:16).

14:9

My lord the king, may any blame be on me: If David allowed a murder to go unpunished, he would fail to uphold justice and would likely be criticized by the people.

14:13

against the people of God: The woman argued that David was harming the entire kingdom by keeping Absalom in exile. She suggested that conflict in the royal family would spread to the wider society, or that David’s focus on Absalom would distract him from ruling well (2 Samuel 14:16).

14:14

God … devises ways: The woman encouraged David to make peace with Absalom, just as God does with his people. God did not stay distant from David when he sinned. He forgave the king when he repented.

14:16

  • The woman again spoke about her own case. She argued that the king’s concern for Absalom kept him from addressing justice among his people (see 2 Samuel 13:39 and study note on 2 Samuel 13:39).

  • cut off both: If her only remaining son were killed, her family would lose its ancestral land (compare Numbers 27:1–11).

14:17

just like the angel of God: This expression shows great respect. It is not used for anyone else in the Bible and appears four times in reference to David (see also 2 Samuel 14:20; 19:27; 1 Samuel 29:9). The woman was expressing confidence that David would act with wisdom and justice given by God.

14:20

has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God: This wise woman (2 Samuel 14:2) knew it was better to praise a king than to insult him.

14:21

bring back … Absalom: It seems that David was not yet interested in full reconciliation with his son (2 Samuel 14:24).

14:26

he shaved it every year: Absalom's hair, which made him attractive, became a deadly trap for him (see 2 Samuel 18:9–15).

14:27

  • Absalom's three sons likely died before him (see 2 Samuel 18:18).

  • Absalom named his daughter Tamar after his sister, and she was also very beautiful (2 Samuel 13:1).

14:33

  • Absalom bowed deeply, showing respect to the king (see also 2 Samuel 4:4, 22).

  • the king kissed Absalom: The absence of talking, hugging (compare Luke 15:20), or crying (compare Genesis 33:4; 45:2, 14) suggests this was a formal meeting, not an affectionate reunion.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources