2 Samuel 14
THE worldly-wise Joab is the man behind the scenes here. Seeing that David was deeply attached to the unpunished murderer, Absalom, he seeks a way to bring about his return from Geshur. A wise woman lived at Tekoah, 12 miles south of Jerusalem; with her Joab arranged for an artful appeal to the king. She pretended that she was a widow with two sons, one of whom had killed the other, and so excited David’s pity. God had required the death of the murderer in Gen. 9:6 (a command of universal application and never withdrawn), and in Exo. 21:12, and Numbers 35:16- 21; but David had allowed his natural affection for Absalom to take the place of God’s Word—a most serious thing, which was to he visited upon him later in the behavior of that son.
The visit of the woman of Tekoah gave David an excuse to send for Absalom, though his conscience troubled him too much to permit the murderer’s presenting himself at the paternal home. Two years more went by, and it was now five years since Amnon was killed by Absalom’s servants. Absalom judged rightly that there was no intention on his father’s part to have him put to death, and demanded to be restored to full favor. It was done, the king even kissed the man whom the law required to be put to death. He was handsome, the most admired in all the country (verse 25), without seeming blemish from head to foot, but under the judgment of God, which though delayed, would be visited upon him.
It is not likely that this paper will fall into the hands of a murderer; the reader may have a very good opinion indeed, of himself, may be as popular as Absalom was, and as much admired, but let him know that God has declared,
“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27.
Truly, as the wise woman of Tekoah said to the king (verse 14), “We must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground which cannot be gathered up again, neither doth God respect any person; yet doth He devise means that His banished be not expelled from Him,” but Christ is “the Way, the Truth and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me”. (John 14:6).
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15. Has this reached your conscience, filled your heart?
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
ML 01/30/1927