The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 350

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-20.-(JERUSALEM.) The woman of Tekoah. 1. In David "the king" we here see that fatherly affection may come into conflict with regal justice. He must· have perceived the ill ellects of sparing Amnon, and felt constrained to punish Absalom. But his grief and resentment were mitigated by the lapse of time (eh. xiii. 39). Never- theless, though prompted by natnral affection to recall his son, he was deterred from doing so by political and judicial considerations. And to overcome his reluctance a stratagem was devised. which, as the sequel shows, was only too successful. For by his weakness towards Absalom "be became guilty of the further dissolution of the theocratic rule in his house and in his kingdom'' (Erdmann). 2. In Joab "the son of Zeruiah" (eh. iii 39) we see that a man may promote another's interest out of regard for his own (eh. iii 22-30; :ri. 16-21). "He may have been induced to take these steps by his personal attachment to .Absalom, but the principal reason no doubt was that Absalom had the best prospect of succeeding to the throne, and Joab thought this the best way to secure himself from punishment for the murder which he had committed. But the is~ne of events frustrated all such hopes. .Absalom did not succeed to the throne, Joab did not escape punishment, and David was severely chastised for his weakness and injustice" (Keil). "Joab formed a project by which the king, in his very capacity of chief judge, should find the glimmering fire of parental love suddenly fanned. into a burning flame" (Ewald). 3. In the "wise woman" of Tekoah we see that skilful persuasion may so work upon natural feeling as to induce a course which is neither expedient nor just. The cleverness, insight, readiness of speech, tact, boldness mingled with caution, and perseverance, which she displayed (under the direction of Joab, who perhaps "stood by at some distance whilst she addressed herself to the king," ver. 21) are remarkable. Snch qualities may be employed for a good or an evil purpose. In contrast with the reproof of Nathan, her persuasion (I) was inspired, not by God, but by man; (2) was addressed. not to conscience, but to pity and affection ; (3) aimed, not fo manifest the truth, but to obscure it; (4) and" to give effect, not to the convictions of duty, but to the promptings of inclination" (Dlaikie); (5) sought to do this, not sincere_ly and openly but insincerely and insidiously; (6) and not by proper motives alone, and honest, tho'ugh unpleasant speech, but by improper motives and "with flattering lips;" and (7) produced, not a beneficial, but an injurious effect. In her persuasive addross we notice, more particularly- I. A:N AFFECTING BUT FlCTJTIOUB APPEAL. (Vers. 4--11.) "And the womnu of Tekoah came to the king," etc., making her appeal for help in an acted pnmble, like that of Nathan (eh. xii. 1-4). "Parables sped well with David; one dre':"' him to repent rJf his own Fin, another to re:nit Absalom'A punishment" (Hall). Thie parable of the en. XIV, 1-33.J THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.