Joab, perceiving David's heart longs for Absalom, sends a wise woman from Tekoa with a parable about her two sons, one of whom killed the other and whom the clan demands for execution. When David promises protection, she turns the parable against him: he convicts himself by not bringing back his own banished son. David perceives Joab's hand and permits Absalom's return but refuses to see him. After two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king's face, Absalom summons Joab by burning his barley field; Joab brings him to David, who kisses him. Absalom is described as Israel's handsomest man, with no blemish and hair weighing two hundred shekels when cut annually.
Read 2 Samuel Chapter 14 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
David
King of Israel whose reign is chronicled with both triumphs and failures
Bathsheba
Woman with whom David committed adultery, later mother of Solomon
Nathan
Prophet who confronted David about his sin and delivered God's covenant
Absalom
David's son who rebelled and tried to take the throne
Joab
David's military commander, loyal but sometimes ruthless
Places in This Chapter
Position in Book
David's Rise to PowerChapters 1-5
David's TriumphsChapters 6-10
David's Sin and ConsequencesChapters 11-20
Sin with Bathsheba, Nathan's rebuke, death of the child, Absalom's rebellion and death.
EpilogueChapters 21-24