2 Samuel 14:13

And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.

And the woman {H802} said {H559}, Wherefore then hast thou thought {H2803} such a thing against the people {H5971} of God {H430}? for the king {H4428} doth speak {H1696} this thing {H1697} as one which is faulty {H818}, in that the king {H4428} doth not fetch home again {H7725} his banished {H5080}.

The woman said, "Why is it, then, that you have produced a situation exactly like this against God's people? By saying what you have said, the king has virtually incriminated himself - in that the king does not bring home again the son he banished.

The woman asked, β€œWhy have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, since he has not brought back his own banished son?

And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou devised such a thing against the people of God? for in speaking this word the king is as one that is guilty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished one.

Commentary

In 2 Samuel 14:13, the wise woman of Tekoah, sent by Joab, subtly turns King David's own judgment back on him. After David grants her a favorable ruling in a hypothetical case, she exposes the underlying hypocrisy or inconsistency in his refusal to bring his own banished son, Absalom, home. This verse marks the pivotal moment where her parable transitions into a direct appeal concerning Absalom's exile.

Context

This verse is central to Joab's elaborate scheme to reconcile King David with his rebellious son, Absalom. Absalom had fled to Geshur after murdering his half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:37-38). David mourned Absalom but had not initiated his return, creating a void in the royal family and potentially in the line of succession. Joab, recognizing David's unspoken longing for Absalom, orchestrated this encounter by sending a woman disguised as a mourner to appeal to the king's sense of justice and compassion through a carefully constructed narrative.

Key Themes

  • Justice and Consistency: The woman challenges David's application of justice. He readily offers protection and mercy to her fictional son, yet withholds it from his own flesh and blood, Absalom. This highlights the tension between personal feelings and the principles of fair judgment.
  • Reconciliation and Restoration: The ultimate goal of the woman's plea is to pave the way for Absalom's return. The verse underscores the deep yearning for family unity and the difficult path of reconciliation after a severe transgression.
  • Parental Love and Responsibility: David's inaction regarding Absalom, though stemming from Absalom's crime, is portrayed by the woman as a failure to "fetch home again his banished." This touches on the complex dynamics of parental love, discipline, and the king's responsibility for his "people of God," which implicitly includes his own family.
  • Strategic Wisdom: The woman's clever argument, guided by Joab, demonstrates profound tactical wisdom. She uses David's own words and principles to corner him, forcing him to confront his own conflicted emotions and responsibilities.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "as one which is faulty" translates the Hebrew word 'ashem (אָשׁ֡ם), which signifies guilt, culpability, or blameworthiness. It implies that David's inaction is not merely an oversight but a moral failing or transgression against his own people and, by extension, against the principles of justice he himself upholds. It suggests a state of being in the wrong, particularly concerning a duty or obligation.

Practical Application

This passage offers timeless insights into leadership, family dynamics, and the pursuit of justice. For us today, it prompts reflection on:

  • Consistency in Judgment: Do we apply our principles evenly, or are we swayed by personal biases or emotions? Leaders, parents, and individuals alike are called to integrity in their decisions.
  • The Path to Reconciliation: While Absalom's actions were grave, the narrative explores the human desire for a way back, for healing after division. It reminds us of the importance of seeking and offering reconciliation, even when it's challenging, echoing themes found in Matthew 5:24.
  • Addressing Our Own "Faults": Like David, we may sometimes be "faulty" in our actions or inactions. This verse encourages self-awareness and the courage to address our own inconsistencies or failures, especially when they impact those under our care or influence.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 13:37 (5 votes)

    But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And [David] mourned for his son every day.

  • 2 Samuel 13:38 (5 votes)

    So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

  • 2 Samuel 12:7 (4 votes)

    And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

  • Judges 20:2 (3 votes)

    And the chief of all the people, [even] of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.

  • 1 Kings 20:40 (3 votes)

    And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So [shall] thy judgment [be]; thyself hast decided [it].

  • 1 Kings 20:42 (3 votes)

    And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of [thy] hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

  • 2 Samuel 7:8 (2 votes)

    Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: