2 Samuel 14:1-7
1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was drawn toward Absalom.
2 So Joab sent a messenger to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please follow mourning rites, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for many days.
3 Then go to the king and speak to him in this way.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
4 Now when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and prostrated herself, and said, “Help, O king!”
5 And the king said to her, “What is troubling you?” And she answered, “Truly I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
6 And your servant had two sons, but the two of them fought in the field, and there was no one to save them from each other, so one struck the other and killed him.
7 Now behold, the entire family has risen against your servant, and they have said, ‘Hand over the one who struck his brother, so that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed, and eliminate the heir as well.’ So they will extinguish my coal which is left, so as to leave my husband neither name nor remnant on the face of the earth.”
Joab’s Plan
General Joab
General Joab was the son of Zeruiah, daughter of Jesse, and thus David’s nephew. Along with his brothers Abishai and Asahel, he was counted among Israel’s mighty men (2:18). This Joab devised a plan to restore the relationship between David and Absalom. (1) David held a special affection toward Absalom. NASB2020 render verse 1, “Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was drawn toward Absalom,” and NIV renders it as “Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom,” while NKJV renders as “So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was concerned about Absalom.” First two translations are likely more accurate. (2) David, though desiring reconciliation with Absalom, was afraid of violating legal justice. (3) Joab perceived that David was caught in a dilemma, and in order to break the deadlock, he devised a plan.
The woman of Tekoa
(1) Joab summoned a “wise woman” from Tekoa (a little over 6 miles south of Bethlehem) and instructed her in what to say. (2) This woman pretended to be a mourning widow and went to the king to seek a judgment. At that time, the king also served as a judge. (3) The content of her appeal was as follows: “My two sons got into a fight, and one killed the other. Now the rest of the family is demanding that I hand over the killer so he can be put to death. But they are trying to take the life of my only remaining son. If they succeed, my family line will be wiped out. O king, should justice be upheld and the sinner be executed, or should preserving the family line be given priority?” Her question was essentially whether one should choose justice or mercy. How would you judge such a case? This was the very dilemma David himself was facing. God the Father also faced the same struggle. And in the end, as the way to fulfill both justice and mercy, God gave His Son to be crucified. We have been forgiven of our sins through the blood that the Son, Jesus, shed on the cross. Let us remember this and offer our thanks to God the Father.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, today I am moved again by the love of Your Son Jesus displayed on the cross. Please help me to walk as one who is loved. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.