The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 348

Vers. 21--,'!3.-Imperfect reC011ciliation. The facts are: 1. David, referrinu to the promise he had made, sends Joab to bring Absalom from Geshur, Joab expr:Ssing in lowly form his thanks for the king's gracious attention to his request. 2. On Absalom's return he is ordered to abide in his own house, and not to see the king's face. 3. 'l'he personal beauty of Absalom ie famous throughout Israel, and of his four children the only daughter is also reputed to be fair. 4. For two years Absalom remains in Jerusa- lem without seeing the king, whereupon he becomes dissatisfied, and sends to Joab, hoping to send him to the king. 5. J oab, for some unexpressed reason, declines to give heed to the message, and, a.s a. consequence, Absalom orders his field of barley to be burnt. 6. This event bringing Joab to him, Absalom remonstrates with the king through him against this semi-imprisonment, and demands to see the king. 7. The king yielding to the request, Absalom presents himself, and receives his father's kiss. \Vhatever may have been the secret causes operating on both 1,ides, the course of the narrative clearly shows us that, although Joab seemed to have gained his point through the wise woman of Tekoah, yet the restoration of Absalom to his father's love and confidence was not perfect. There a.re, in the account here given of the relation of David to his son, illustrations of several important truths or recurring incidents of human life. I. CONCESSIONS WITH RESERVATIONS. In the interview with Joab (vers. 21, 22) David distinctly intimated t-0 him that he had "done this thing "-consented to Absa- lom's return in consequence of having been caught within the coils of the parabolic plP,adings of the wise woman whom he haJ employed for that purpose. Apart from the force of the argument, the king was no doubt willing in some degree to comply with the request of so influential a man, especially as he knew more of hie own life than was comfortable to reflect upon. Joab regarded it as a work of special grace that his wishe, were thus considered; and most probably he went to Geshur to fetch Absalom, witl cheerful expectations of a speedy removal of family difficulties. But although the king kept the letter of bis concession in Absalom's permitted return, it is evident that he either repented of his oriiioal decision or had made, when giving it, a private reserva- tion that, thouuh returned, he should not give him a hearty welcome. Both Joah and Absalom (ver. :!'4) appear to have reported themselves at the king's house, in expectation of full restoration, for he "returned to his own house." Such concessions as this are valuable in so far as they confer privileges otherwise not attainabli,, but they lose much Yalue iu being extracted by pressure and especially by the reservation which becomes ~uusequently known. It had been well, perhnp~, had conditions been stated from the  OH, XIV, 1-33,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUF,L. 351