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. 9:66Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6) (a command of universal application and never withdrawn), and in Exo. 21:1212He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. (Exodus 21:12), and Numbers 35:16- 2116And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. 20But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; 21Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. (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,
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 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)).
ML 01/30/1927