32 And Absalom H53 answered H559 Joab, H3097 Behold, I sent H7971 unto thee, saying, H559 Come H935 hither, that I may send H7971 thee to the king, H4428 to say, H559 Wherefore am I come H935 from Geshur? H1650 it had been good H2896 for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see H7200 the king's H4428 face; H6440 and if there be H3426 any iniquity H5771 in me, let him kill H4191 me.
33 So Joab H3097 came H935 to the king, H4428 and told H5046 him: and when he had called H7121 for Absalom, H53 he came H935 to the king, H4428 and bowed H7812 himself on his face H639 to the ground H776 before H6440 the king: H4428 and the king H4428 kissed H5401 Absalom. H53
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.