2 Samuel 14:30

Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.

Therefore he said {H559} unto his servants {H5650}, See {H7200}, Joab's {H3097} field {H2513} is near {H413} mine {H3027}, and he hath barley {H8184} there; go {H3212} and set {H3341} it on fire {H784}. And Absalom's {H53} servants {H5650} set {H3341} the field {H2513} on fire {H784}.

So he said to his servants, "See, Yo'av's field is close to mine, and he has barley there; go, and set it on fire." Avshalom's servants set the field on fire.

Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

Commentary

In 2 Samuel 14:30, we witness a pivotal and aggressive act by Absalom, King David's son, demonstrating his growing frustration and determination to force an encounter with his father. This verse describes Absalom's command to his servants to set Joab's barley field on fire, a drastic measure taken out of desperation.

Context

This incident occurs after Absalom's return from three years of exile in Geshur, where he fled after killing his half-brother Amnon (see 2 Samuel 13:38). Joab, David's military commander, had skillfully orchestrated Absalom's return to Jerusalem through the wise woman of Tekoah (read 2 Samuel 14:20). However, upon his return, King David refused to see Absalom for two full years, keeping him confined to his own house (as detailed in 2 Samuel 14:28). Absalom had tried twice to summon Joab to mediate with David, but Joab, perhaps wary of David's displeasure or Absalom's volatile nature, refused to come (see 2 Samuel 14:29). Feeling ignored and desperate for an audience with his father, Absalom resorts to this extreme act of arson to compel Joab's attention and force a confrontation.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Measures: Absalom's act highlights the danger of frustration leading to destructive and unethical behavior. Unable to achieve his goal through conventional means, he chooses violence against property.
  • Manipulation and Coercion: This is a clear tactic of coercion. Absalom knows that destroying Joab's livelihood will force Joab to engage with him, thereby becoming a necessary intermediary to the king.
  • Breakdown in Communication: The entire episode underscores a profound communication breakdown within David's family and court. David's continued emotional distance from Absalom, coupled with Joab's reluctance to intervene, creates an environment where destructive acts seem like the only option to be heard.
  • Consequences of Unresolved Conflict: The verse foreshadows the deeper, more tragic conflicts that will arise from the unresolved tension between David and Absalom, ultimately leading to Absalom's rebellion and death.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "set it on fire" is a direct translation of the Hebrew verb saraph (שָׂרַף), which unequivocally means "to burn" or "to set ablaze." There's no hidden nuance in the word itself; the significance lies in the deliberate and aggressive nature of the act. Absalom's command is not ambiguous; it's a direct order for destructive action, emphasizing his resolve and the extremity of his frustration.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unresolved conflict and the destructive path that frustration can lead to when communication fails.

  • Avoidance Escalates Problems: David's continued avoidance of Absalom did not resolve the tension but allowed it to fester and eventually erupt in destructive ways. Addressing issues directly, even difficult ones, is often better than prolonged silence.
  • The Dangers of Impulsive Anger: Absalom's action, while calculated, stems from intense frustration and impatience. It reminds us that resorting to destructive or manipulative tactics, fueled by anger or impatience, often leads to greater problems rather than solutions. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
  • The Ripple Effect of Actions: Absalom's act of arson directly impacted Joab, but its ultimate goal was to influence David. It highlights how desperate actions, even if seemingly targeted, can have broader, often negative, ripple effects on relationships and circumstances.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 15:4 (5 votes)

    And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.

  • Judges 15:5 (5 votes)

    And when he had set the brands on fire, he let [them] go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards [and] olives.

  • 1 Kings 21:9 (2 votes)

    And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:

  • 1 Kings 21:14 (2 votes)

    Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.

  • 2 Kings 10:6 (2 votes)

    Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye [be] mine, and [if] ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, [being] seventy persons, [were] with the great men of the city, which brought them up.

  • 2 Kings 10:7 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him [them] to Jezreel.

  • 2 Kings 9:33 (2 votes)

    And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and [some] of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.