2 Samuel 14:29 kjv
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
2 Samuel 14:29 nkjv
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
2 Samuel 14:29 niv
Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So he sent a second time, but he refused to come.
2 Samuel 14:29 esv
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come.
2 Samuel 14:29 nlt
Then Absalom sent for Joab to ask him to intercede for him, but Joab refused to come. Absalom sent for him a second time, but again Joab refused to come.
2 Samuel 14 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 33:4 | But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck... | Jacob and Esau's reconciliation |
| Luke 15:20 | But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion... | Father's open embrace of the prodigal son's return |
| Eph 2:13 | But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near... | Reconciliation with God through Christ's blood |
| Col 1:21-22 | And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind... now he has reconciled... | Reconciliation of estranged humanity to God |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, | Christ as the sole mediator for reconciliation |
| Heb 9:15 | Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called... | Jesus mediating a better covenant |
| Psa 27:8 | You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” | Seeking the presence and favor of the Lord |
| Psa 105:4 | Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! | Continual pursuit of God's presence |
| Matt 18:10 | See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. | Seeing the face implies direct access and favor |
| Esth 4:11 | All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know... | The protocol of royal access, fear of not being summoned |
| Exod 8:15 | But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart... | Pharaoh's repeated refusal to obey God's command |
| Isa 48:4 | Because I know that you are stubborn, and your neck is an iron sinew... | Israel's stubbornness and resistance to God's will |
| Zech 7:11-12 | But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears... | Refusal to hear and obey God's message |
| Prov 14:29 | Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. | Contrast to Absalom's rising impatience (foreshadows next verse) |
| Jonah 4:1-9 | But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. | Jonah's anger and frustration when things don't go his way |
| Matt 5:23-24 | So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you... | Priority of reconciliation before approaching God |
| 2 Sam 14:24 | But the king said, “Let him turn to his own house; he shall not see my face.” | Direct context: David's initial partial reconciliation with Absalom |
| 2 Sam 14:32 | And Absalom said to Joab, “Behold, I sent to you saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king...’ | Absalom's verbalization of his intent, highlighting Joab's refusal |
| 2 Sam 14:30 | So he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is next to mine... go and set it on fire.” | Absalom's impatient and forceful reaction to Joab's refusal |
| 2 Sam 3:27 | When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately... | Joab's strategic and ruthless character shown here as a key figure |
| 1 Kgs 2:5-6 | Moreover, you know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me... act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. | David's eventual assessment and condemnation of Joab |
2 Samuel 14 verses
2 Samuel 14 29 Meaning
This verse describes Absalom's attempt to achieve full reconciliation with his father, King David, after two years of being allowed back in Jerusalem but not permitted to see the king's face. Absalom initiates contact with Joab, David's military commander, requesting him to act as an intermediary to facilitate a meeting with David. However, Joab steadfastly refuses to comply, both on the first and a second urgent request. This repeated refusal by Joab highlights his caution, a calculated strategy, or a perceived impropriety in Absalom's demand, thereby maintaining the stalemate and setting the stage for Absalom's increasing frustration and eventual desperate action.
2 Samuel 14 29 Context
This verse occurs during a precarious period in King David's reign, following Absalom's three-year exile to Geshur after he murdered his half-brother Amnon for raping their sister Tamar. Joab, David's shrewd and pragmatic commander, orchestrated Absalom's return to Jerusalem through the clever intercession of a wise woman from Tekoa (2 Sam 14:1-20). While David allowed Absalom to return, he forbade him from seeing his face (2 Sam 14:24), signifying a continued state of estrangement and incomplete reconciliation. Absalom resided in Jerusalem for two full years under these conditions, alienated from the royal court and the king's favor (2 Sam 14:28). Verse 29 marks a pivotal moment where Absalom, despite his striking appearance and royal bearing (2 Sam 14:25-27), becomes impatient with this partial restoration. His attempt to use Joab as a mediator indicates his desire for full acceptance and re-entry into court life, ultimately foreshadowing his increasing frustration and the escalating family and political tensions that will culminate in his rebellion.
2 Samuel 14 29 Word analysis
he sent (וַיִּשְׁלַח֮ - wayyišlaḥ): From the Hebrew
שָׁלַח(shalach), meaning "to send," "stretch out," or "release." Here, it denotes Absalom's initiative, his decision to make a move after two years of silent frustration. It's a directive from someone of significant social standing, not a plea.for Joab (אֶל־יוֹאָב֒ - ʾel-yōʾāb): Direct address to the one person powerful and trusted enough by David, and previously instrumental in Absalom's return. Joab's involvement is critical.
to send him (לִשְׁלֹחוֹ - lišloḥōw): This phrasing indicates Absalom wanted Joab to be the one to send himself—meaning, Absalom expected Joab to go on his behalf. It reflects Absalom's indirect approach; he does not personally humble himself to go directly to David.
to the king (אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ - ʾel-hammeleḵ): Specifically to King David, indicating the ultimate goal of full reconciliation and re-entry into royal favor. "Seeing the king's face" symbolized full approval and access in ancient Near Eastern monarchies.
but he would not come (וְלֹא־אָבָה - wəlōʾ-ʾāḇāh / לָבוֹא - lāḇōʾ):
אָבָה(avah) conveys strong unwillingness, a definite refusal rather than an inability. Joab's refusal is deliberate, indicating strategic thinking or perhaps a lack of desire to involve himself further in Absalom's precarious position, especially if he perceived Absalom's demands as entitled or ill-timed.לָבוֹא(lavo), "to come," implies refusing even a simple physical meeting with Absalom, let alone acting as his messenger.to him (אֵלָיו - ʾêlāw): Referring to Absalom. Joab refused to physically meet Absalom. This is a crucial detail, as Absalom could not even get Joab to hear his plea directly.
and when he sent again (וַיִּשְׁלַח־עוֹד - wayyišlaḥ-ʿōwḏ):
עוֹד(od) means "again" or "still." This highlights Absalom's persistence, which borders on desperation. His frustration is mounting.the second time (שֵׁנִית - šēnît): Emphasizes the repeated nature of the request, stressing Absalom's urgency and Joab's steadfast, unyielding refusal.
he would not come: The exact phrase is repeated, emphasizing Joab's unbending posture. This double refusal underscores the deliberate nature of Joab's inaction and solidifies Absalom's resolve for drastic measures.
"he sent for Joab, to send him to the king": This phrase captures Absalom's desire for reconciliation but also his indirect, almost manipulative approach. He wants Joab to be his proxy, avoiding direct confrontation or humbling himself before David. It demonstrates Absalom's lingering sense of royalty and entitlement despite his banishment.
"but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come": The repeated, emphatic refusal (
wəlōʾ-ʾāḇāh) signifies Joab's unwavering resolve. Joab, a seasoned politician and military commander, might have perceived Absalom's impatient demand as either premature, potentially disrespectful to David, or a step that could compromise Joab’s own standing if David wasn't ready for a full reconciliation. This refusal becomes the direct catalyst for Absalom’s escalating frustration, pushing him towards his drastic action in the very next verse.
2 Samuel 14 29 Bonus section
- Joab's Motivation: While not explicitly stated, Joab's refusal could be multifaceted. He might have been wary of Absalom's increasing ambition and potential challenge to David's throne, or he genuinely felt it wasn't the opportune moment for full reconciliation from David's perspective, or even an implicit instruction from David not to facilitate such a meeting yet. It underscores Joab's complex loyalty, which often prioritized the stability of David's reign, even if it meant being ruthless or difficult.
- Absalom's Impatience: This verse starkly highlights Absalom's character trait of impatience. Having been exceptionally patient for two years in Jerusalem, his frustration reached a boiling point upon Joab's repeated refusal. This immediate turn towards extreme measures (burning Joab's field in 2 Sam 14:30) foreshadows his later reckless and impulsive actions during his rebellion against David.
- Significance of Royal Protocol: The necessity of a mediator and the king's continued withholding of his "face" signify the grave importance of proper royal protocol and favor in the ancient Near East. Absence of face-to-face interaction was a powerful sign of disapproval and an impediment to full reinstatement.
2 Samuel 14 29 Commentary
2 Samuel 14:29 depicts Absalom's frustrated attempt to achieve complete reconciliation with King David. After two years of partial return, he was confined to Jerusalem but denied audience with the king, a critical marker of unresolved status. He therefore dispatched a request to Joab, the general who initially brokered his return, seeking his mediation to present him before David. However, Joab, a calculating figure often operating on his own strategic rationale, repeatedly refused Absalom's summons. This refusal was not a simple oversight; Joab deliberately withheld his assistance, signaling either his belief that David was not ready for a full reunion, his unwillingness to further intercede on Absalom's behalf without explicit instruction, or a judgment that Absalom's indirect request lacked proper protocol or humility. Joab, known for his ability to handle politically sensitive situations, perhaps discerned Absalom's true ambition extended beyond mere reconciliation. Joab’s stubborn denial serves as the tipping point for Absalom, who, already seething with a sense of entitlement and frustration at his unresolved status, then resorts to extreme measures in the following verses, revealing the seeds of his future rebellion and underscoring the dangers of prolonged, unaddressed relational estrangement.