Useful Bible Studies > 2 Samuel Commentary > chapter 14
King David had permitted his son Absalom to return to Israel. However, David did not approve of Absalom, because Absalom had killed his brother Amnon. So David made an order that Absalom must not see his face. In other words, Absalom could not enter David’s palace; and he could not go to any public event if David was there. Perhaps, Absalom could not even leave his home.
Absalom obeyed that rule for two years. He was pleased to be back in Israel, because he wanted to be its future king. However, he was not pleased about the rule that he could not see David. It was clear to everyone that David did not approve of him. So, Absalom decided that the time had come to deal with that problem.
David had made that rule - so the only way to change it was to appeal to David. However, Absalom himself could not make that appeal, because he could not go to see David. So Absalom had to find someone who would appeal to David on his behalf.
Joab, the commander of Israel’s army, had arranged Absalom’s return to Israel. So, Absalom wanted to see him. However, Joab refused. He wanted to show Absalom that he, Joab, would not accept any orders from Absalom. If, in the future, Absalom became king, then Joab wanted to have power over him. Such a situation had existed before in Israel. In 2 Samuel 2:8-9, Abner, then the commander of Israel’s army, made Ish-Bosheth the king of northern Israel. Abner arranged matters so that he, Abner, was even more powerful than his king (3:6-11).
Next part: Absalom burns Joab's field (2 Samuel 14:30-31)
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