Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 2 Samuel · Chapter 14
CHAP. XIIII.
IOab perceiving how David stood affected towards Absalom, sent for a subtle V. 1, 2, 3. H. Bunting Patriarchs travails.woman of Tekoah, which was a City in the Tribe of Judah, 8 miles from Jerusalem, it signifieth the sounding of a Trumpet, and was so called for the victory obtained by Jehoshaphat by sounding the holy Trumpets, for this was in the Wildernesse of Tekoah, 2 Chron: 20. 20. of this City was also the Prophet Amos. By a subtle woman is meant one that could speake well and wisely. Amos 1.For this woman therefore hee sent, and having given her instructions what to say, shee came in to the King in the habit and countenance of one, that had long mourned for the dead.
Then shee fell downe before him to the ground, and said, Helpe O King: and hee asking what the matter was, she said that shee was a widow, that had two sons, V. 4.but they falling out and fighting in the field, the one slew the other, and now the whole family requireth him that liveth to bee put to death. Her meaning was, saith Lyra, that thus they said, who sought to have him slaine, and therefore shee spake not, as confessing it to bee true, for it could not bee proved either Lyra.by witnesse, or by her sonnes confession, neither was hee convicted of this murther in judgment, but they sought his life, that the inheritance might fall to them, not out of the love of justice, or zeale thereunto. The King hearing V. 8.this, said unto her, Goe to thy house and I will give charge concerning thee. But shee not satisfied herewith replyed, (My Lord O King) the iniquity bee on mee and on V. 9.my fathers house, but the King and his Throne bee guiltlesse, that is, thou hast many businesses, through which it may come to passe, that I may easily bee forgotten by thee, no order through forgetfulnesse being taken for my sonnes safety, and if so, hee shall still bee in danger, which if it befalls him, I and my fathers house must beare this iniquity, as being the onelyonly persons in fault for not dealing more effectually for his preservation, but thou, because it was of forgetfulnesse, shalt bee cleare, wherefore I pray thee give better security to mee and my sonne.
Then the King bade her to bring forth him that pursued her sonne, and he V. 10.would take order with him, that her son might bee safe, which, the case being as was before related, the King might justly doe.
The woman replyed, I pray thee let the King remember the Lord thy God, &c. V. 11.which is, as if shee had said, the revengers of bloud are many, and therefore if I should bring one or two unto thee, my sonne might still bee indangered by others, wherefore I pray thee sweare unto me, and so cause it to bee published immediately, that none may dare to doe him any hurt: Then the King sware unto her, As the Lord liveth, there shall not one haire of thy sonne fall to the ground, that is, hee shall not onelyonly bee safe from the danger of death, but from any the least hurt.
Then shee said, having first asked leave to speake, wherefore hast thou thought such V. 12. 13.a thing against the people of God? for the King speaketh this thing as one which is faulty in that he doth not fetch home againe his banished. Now shee beginneth to shew, that shee spake all this parabolically, by her selfe meaning the King, by her two sonnes, his two, Absalom and Amnon; by the kindred rising up to seeke her sonnes life, Amnons friends, which would have Absalom put to death. And as the King had given sentence for her pretended sonne being in danger, so Absaloms case being the like, she seeketh to move him to take the same order for his safety. 1. Because hee was now for feare of danger constrained together with his men to live in an idolatrous countly, to the hazarding of their soules, if by being there they should bee inclined to idolatry also, in these words, wherefore hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God▪ that is, Absalom and his followers, who were Israelites.
2. Because Amnon being dead could not bee restored to life againe, whatsoever V. 14.should bee done against Absalom, that slew him, in the next words, wee must needes dye and are as water spilt upon the ground, which cannot bee gathered up againt. 3. Because God the great judge of all, whom earthly judges ought to imitate, is not implacable towards these that sinne against him, but is ready upon their repentance to receive them to mercy, in these words, neither doth God respect any person, yet hee doth devise meanes, that his banished bee not expelled from him. She calleth sinners his banished, because they are carried away captive by the Devill, as it were, and kept in his kingdome.
Now therefore that I am come to speake of this thing to my Lord the King, it is, because V. 15.the people made mee afraid, &c. The Vulgar Latin for these last words, hath these, the people being present, which Lyra expoundeth thus, that the sentence to bee published touching mee and my sonne may bee published before all the people touching thy sonne.
For the King will heare to deliver, &c. v: 17. then thy handmaid said, The word of V. 16.my Lord the King shall be comfortable, The Vulgar Latin, let thy handmaid say, that the word of my Lord the King bee as a sacrifice, that is, doe so, as that I may truely say thy word is as pleasing as a sacrifice to God. Hitherto Lyra, who also in concluding this dialogue, objecteth, that this parable agreed not to Amnon▪ case, for Absalom slew him openly, and answereth out of R: Solomon, that although it were before many, yet they were so neare to Amnon, that they were not competent witnesses, or out of others, although the murther bee evident, yet if the nearest of kin bee content to grant peace to the offender, the King, who is the common father of all, may grant it without offence to the Law, and such was her case, shee was nearest to her slaine sonne, and David to Amnon, so that if hee were willing, he might save Absalom without offence. Peter Martyr contrariwise Peter Martyr.is so farre from defending the congruence of the parable as that hee sheweth it to differ in very many things, which the King might easily have perceived, if hee had beene willing. 1. Because shee had but two sonnes, the King many. 2. Her husband was dead, but Davids wives were living. 3. One brother killed another, as they strave together, not premeditating his death, Absalom bare malice to Amnon two yeares together, neither did Absalom fight for his life. 4. That was done in secret in the fields, none being present, this openly before many. 5. Absalom fled not to any Citie of refuge, but into another countrey, hereby condemning himselfe of wilfull murther. Wherefore the King should by no meanes have been drawne to spare him, for if such wickednesses be spared, God himselfe will execute judgement, as hee did afterwards upon this murtherer, and that by the hands of Joab, who now interceded for him, and upon Joab himselfe in the reigne of Solomon. Orestes amongst the heathen, who had slaine his mother, but escaped punishment, was pursued by the Furies Nero, after that hee had done the like, was stricken after a sort with madnesse. Antoninus Caracalla having slaine his brother Geta, would have it defended by Papinianus, a Lawyer, hee freely answered, parricides are more easily committed then defended, and it is not the part of a good patron to defend them. For these words, Vers. 9. upon mee bee the iniquitie, &c. hee also V. 9.bringeth two other expositions. 1. If there should be any iniquity in sparing of my sonne, I will take it upon me, and the King shall bee free. 2. If thou dost not defend mee and my sonne, some great punishment of so foule a fault must needs come, but I pray, that this may be upon me, and not upon the King.
For these words, Let the King remember the Lord, having expounded them, as V. 11.Lyra, hee addeth, that some understand them of remembring the Law made in Numbers, that such as did slay others unawares should flee and bee saved in some City of refuge, but it is plaine, that David understood her, as desiring his oath, because hee presently sware unto her.
Wee must needs die, &c. This hee also expoundeth of Absalom, and not as Lyra, V. 14.it will not bee long before Absalom dieth, and death is not a thing to be hastned, but which we should labour to keepe away: Or thou, O King art mortall, and if thou diest, not having first beene reconciled to Absalom, hee may happily make warre. Neither doth God respect any person, that is, to exempt him from the stroake of death, of what degree or condition soever hee bee. Yet doth he devise meanes, that is, by appointing Cities of refuge to save mens lives, Vers. 15. the people made mee afraid, that is, they told mee, when I was comming, that I should but lose my labour in speaking to thee, thou wouldst not regard such a poore woman as I am, and hereby, as by another argument shee sought to move him, that hee might be the better thought of amongst the people, and compareth him with an Angel of God, to insinuate the more into him.
Note how diligent and carefull Joab and this woman were in patronizing Note. a bad cause, that wee may learne much more to endeavour to defend a good cause. And Kings may learne of David here to bee easie for their subjects to have accesse unto them, and patiently to heare them.
Touching Joabs imploying of this woman, and not speaking himselfe for Absalom, although hee perceived that Davids affection was now againe towards him, because hee spake no more of Amnon, in way of lamentation, but was more chearfull and ceased to speake against Absalom, hee did it, lest, if he himselfe should speake and have a repulse, it might turne to his disgrace, as being a signe of little favour, wherein hee was with the King, which would have been a thing very grievous to so great a man, and because women are more apt by their flattering speeches to insinuate into men. And hee imployed not this woman, because there was none in Jerusalem to bee found fit for this purpose for their wit, but because it was necessary, that a stranger and one unknowne to David should come in this manner unto him. And hee would have him speake by way of parable, that the King not thinking his owne case to bee propounded, might the more readily give sentence, from which hee might afterwards bee ashamed to goe backe, when the end of it should bee explained; and thus Nathan had dealt with him and prevailed before. Touching the sense of the words, as much almost hath been said already out of Lyra and Martyr, as any other expositours say. Whereas shee prayeth, that the iniquitie might bee upon her, &c. Pellican will have the meaning to bee, if her Pellican.living sonne had committed any iniquitie worthy of punishment, shee would beare it. And whereas shee desireth him by and by to remember the Lord, shee meant to stand to, and not to goe from his word, seeing God is ready to take vengeance upon those that falfifie their serious premises. For these words, why hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God, he also bringeth this as the sense, how shall the people, over whom thou art set, bee perswaded, that thou hast decreed such a thing touching my sonne, when as thou wilt not doe the like by thine owne? Junius upon these words upon mee bee the iniquitie, Junius.saith, shee meant, that shee held her living sonne so innocent, as that if there were this iniquity in him, shee would willingly beare it. And these, why hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God, that is, the people of Israel, whose hearts are towards Absalom, as thy eldest sonne now living, and thy successour in thy Kingdome, desiring to have him called home againe? And these, wee must all die, wee are all about to die, that Absalom being absent, wee count our life no better then death, and all the kingdome is out of course, like water spilt upon the ground: For Chileab the next sonne to Amnon was dead, and so Absalom the eldest. And for Gods devising meanes, &c. hee expoundeth it of his preserving him alive hitherto, and stirring up this longing desire in the people after him.
And these, the people made mee afraid, hee expounds of her feare, lest some hurt should come to them, if the King did not call home Absalom. It is too long a worke to compare these expositions together, and to approve some and reject others, and without much erring wee may follow any, wherefore I leave it to the judicious Reader to choose that which seemeth to him most probable.
The King having heard the woman hitherto, now chargeth her to tell him, V. 18, 19.whether Joab did not direct her in this businesse; shee comfesseth it, and applaudeth the wisedome of the King in discerning this, saying, that it was as the wisedome of an Angell. Hee conceived that Joab was her instructer, partly for the great love, which hee perceived to bee in Joab towards Absalom, and partly because hee knew him to bee witty, and apt to invent, and happily hee brought her in to the King, and lastly hee knew, as Pellican hath it, that PellicanJoab was forward to put himselfe into such actions all wayes, as whereby hee might curry favour with the King and with Absalom, who was the next heire to the kingdome For the womans ready disclosing the authour of this counsell, hee taxeth her therefore, although it succeeded well, and generally the levity of women, that men may beware how they commit their secrets to them. But shee seemeth rather according to others, to have done nothing herein Peter Martyr.worthy taxation, because happily shee knew that Joab was willing, if shee should see the King tractable, that shee should disclose it, and by his countenance and manner of speech shee perceived his readinesse to yeeld. Moreover if being asked shee had denied it, and afterwards, it should have beene knowne to come from Joab. shee might feare to bee taxed for a lyer.
Then David called for Joab, and told him, that hee had granted his request, V. 21. 22, 23, 24.for which hee gave the King great thankes, and went and fetcht Absalom to Jerusalem, but the King would not have him brought into his presence, but turne to his owne house, lest, as Lyra saith, by seeing him his griefe should Lyra. Peter Martyr.bee renued for the death of his first borne Amnon. Martyr addeth three other reasons. 1. That David might not seeme to have remitted so foule a sinne, but punishing it with banishment from the Court, it might appeare how greatly hee still distasted it. 2. Lest the Kinsmen of Amnon by the mother being moved by the sight of Absalom should bee provoked to revenge his blood. 3. To stirre up Absalom to a sight and sense of his sinne, that hee might bee moved to repent.
Now that it might appeare, what power David did shew himselfe to have V. 25.over his affections in refreining from the sight of Absalom, his beautie is described, being sufficient to draw any eye unto it, hee excelled all in the whole kingdome in beautie, &c. and touching the haire of his head, it is said, that hee did sheare it once in the yeare, Hebr. saith Lyra, it is, at a set time in the Lyra.yeare, for it may bee that hee cut his haire oftner, as Lyra, so some Hebrewes say, that hee polled his head oftner, viz. once a monethmonth. But Hebr. it is foreign at the end of dayes, that is, of the yeare, and it is absurd to hold, that his haire could in a shorter time grow to so great abundance; it weighed 200. shekels of the Kings weight, which is added, because to have no baldnesse in the head, but to have an head full of haire, is a great part of comelines. But why did hee weigh it? Some Hebrews say, because hee sold it by weight to such women as would adorne their heads with it: but to this Lyra excepteth, because hee was the Kings sonne, and therefore would not bee so base as to sell his haire, and because it could not bee growne long enough in a yeare for such an use: Martyr thinketh, that Absaloms beautie is spoken of, as a praeludium Peter Martyr.to his insurrection, which followeth in this history not long after, hereby hee was puffed up, & came into great grace amongst the people, who thought him being so goodly a man most worthy of the kingdome, and his pride caused by his beauty made him aspire unto it. Thus foully do some abuse this gift of God to their owne destruction, so that it had beene farre better for them to have wanted it, as his sister Thamar also, and Dinah, Jacobs daughter; it brought great trouble upon Joseph and Sarah and Rebecca; and Plutarch saith, that a Plutarch.certaine beautifull Bride, when shee was led away by ber Bridegroome, another lover came and laid hold upon her to pluck her from him with such violence, that her husband also striving on the other side to hold her, shee was miserably rent in peeces. They that are beautifull, saith Isocrates, but voyd of vertue, have a good Ship without a governour, and so are in continuall danger of shipwrack. Chrysost. calleth them whited Sepulchers, like unto poyson tempered with Sugar to fooles, as the goodly Oake, which beareth no fruit, but for Swine, so they afford pleasure to impure persons, but the weake and deformed Vine yeeldeth sweet and pleasant grapes. For his haire, the same Martyr also saith, that some Hebrewes thinke him to have been a Nazarite, and therefore hee thus nourished his haire, and whereas it was against the Law of Nazaritisme to cut it, they say, this was an exception in case it should grow too heavy: but Kimhi better, hee delighted in his haire, and therefore thus nourished it, which indeed was a shame, 1 Cor. 11. and amongst the Romans they abhorred from it. But the Lacedemonians, as Plutarch saith, nourished their haire, and Licurgus made a Law for it, because to such as were beautifull it added a greater grace, and the blacke were made hereby more terrible to their enemies. Aristotle saith, that long haire was a signe of libertie, because they that labour as servants are troubled with long haire. Josephus yeelds another Josephus.reason, why Absaloms beautie is here spoken of, viz. because hee had lived long in banishment, to shew, that his beautie was no whit impaired hereby, and hee saith, that 200. Shekels, which was the weight of his haire, was 5. pounds, and therefore it is spoken of, as being a quantitie so extraordinary. Pellican saith, Pellican.that being about to speake of his wickednesse, his great pride is first intimated by describing his extraordinary beautie.
Hee had also three sonnes, and one faire daughter Thamar, who the Hebrewes say, was afterwards wife to Rehoboam. His children are spoken of most V. 27. Peter Martyr.probably, as another cause of his pride and ambition, but they all dyed inglorious, as became the children of such a father. And this may bee gathered according to Theodoret and Tostatus, because hee set up a pillar to continue Theodoret. Tostatus. 2 Sam. 18. 18,his name, for so much as hee had no children to continue it, and yet he lived not above two yeares after this, which argueth, that these children of his died soone after his returne from Geshur. Yet Josephus saith, that hee set up a Pillar Tostatus.to continue his name, because his children were mortall, and so could not long continue it. But wee must rather beleeve the Scripture, which saith, that hee had then no children, and no lesse doth Josephus erre about Thamar Absaloms daughter, who hee saith, was wise to Rehoboam, and mother to Abiam: but although there may seeme to be some colour for this in Scripture, because, 1 King. 15. 2. the mother of Abijam is said to be Maachah Absaloms daughter, yet the same man who was father to this Maachah, is called Ʋriel of Gibeah, 2 Chron. 13. 2. and shee Michaiah, to shew, that hee was another man, and not Absaloms Davids sonne borne in Hebron of Judah. But more grosly hee erreth in writing about Absaloms polling of his haire, saying, that it was so much that it could not bee done in lesse then eight dayes. For the weight of his haire, Tostatus alledgeth and rejecteth one opinion, that it is not meant, that his haire weighed Tostatus.five pound, but was accounted so much worth: but because it may seeme incredible, that one mans haire should weigh so much, there bee others that approve of this exposition, & indeed it seemeth most probable, for things are estimated according to the price, that vaine persons who have money enough, set them at; and for the selling of it, that might bee done by his servant that polled him for his own benefit; and hee weighed or estimated, may be taken for, it was estimated, as well as these words, hee polled his head, for it was polled. When Absalom had lived two yeares in Jerusalem, and was not admitted into the Kings V. 29, 30.sight, hee sent for Joab twice, but hee refusing to come, hee caused his Barley field nigh unto him to bee set on fire; at the hearing of which hee came with speed unto him, &c. It seemeth, saith Pellican, that Joab being a grave man and Pellican.wise, and a great warrier, disliked the pride and effeminatenesse of Absalom, and therefore had rather, that hee should keepe away from the Court then come unto it, and this made, that hee was so hardly drawne to come unto him about this businesse: Or, as Martyr saith, because hee thought that the Peter Martyr.sight of him would bee displeasing to the King, whom hee was unwilling to offend. Absalom seeing that Joab would not come unto him waxed angry, as thinking himselfe contemned, and burnt the Corne in his field, hereby shewing, what a wicked mind hee still bare: here the vulg. Latine, and Sept. adde, Joabs servants seeing this came with their garments rent and told Joab, but this is left out in the Hebrew to bee understood. Joab commeth and expostulates with Absalom about this wrong, touching satisfying him, for which wee here find nothing sayd, yet it is probable, that hee by faire promises of satisfaction sought to reconcile his favour towards him, that hee might the more willingly deale with his father for him. That which is expressed, Absalom said unto V. 32.Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, come hither, that I may send thee to my father, and say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had beene good for mee to have beene there still, now therefore let me see the Kings face, and if there bee any iniquitie in me, let him kill mee, the vulg Latine, but if hee bee mindfull of mine iniquitie, let bim kill mee' having respect rather to the sense then to the words, for his meaning was, if hee would not pardon, but still keepe in his mind his iniquitie, as it seemed that hee did by banishing him from his presence, let him slay mee. All deepe dissimulation! in this long time of his living idly at home hee had meditated upon mischiefe against his father, as the sequele doth declare, but now hee feigneth, as if his love and desire to live in his fathers presence were such, as that to want it were more grievous then death unto him. Hee counted it no benefit, but worse for him that hee came from Geshur, if hee were still thus debarred from comming to the King, for in that hee would not endure the sight of him, it was conceived by the subjects that his father had him in abomination, and therefore they all must needs contemne him and vilifie him also. In Geshur hee Peter Martyr.was had in honour, and was not so sensible of his fathers indignation, saith Martyr, because hee was afarre off, but now hee was neare, and that which was granted to the meanest subject, viz. if they had any cause, to come before the King, was denied unto him, as if hee were the worst of all men, whereas hee thought himselfe to bee without fault, it was because hee held the killing of Amnon upon such an occasion to bee none. Then Joab went to the King, he is V. 33.brought before him, prostrateth himselfe, and his father kisseth him in token of reconciliation. But for so much as this was to an impenitent person, and contrary to Gods Law, see Chap. 15. what troubles followed unto David. The sparing of a malefactor that deserveth to die, is but an hardening of him Note. to more villany.