2 Samuel 14:26

And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled [it]: because [the hair] was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.

And when he polled {H1548} his head {H7218},(for it was at every year's {H3117}{H3117} end {H7093} that he polled {H1548} it: because the hair was heavy {H3513} on him, therefore he polled {H1548} it:) he weighed {H8254} the hair {H8181} of his head {H7218} at two hundred {H3967} shekels {H8255} after the king's {H4428} weight {H68}.

He would cut his hair only once a year, at the end of the year; and the only reason he cut it then was because it weighed him down. He weighed the hair from his head at 200 shekels (using the royal weight) [about five pounds].

And when he cut the hair of his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy—he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels, according to the royal standard.

And when he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it); he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king’s weight.

Commentary

2 Samuel 14:26 (KJV): And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled [it]: because [the hair] was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative describing Absalom, King David's son, after his return to Jerusalem from his exile in Geshur (2 Samuel 13:38). Following his return, he lived in Jerusalem for two full years without seeing his father's face. The preceding verses (2 Samuel 14:25) emphasize Absalom's remarkable beauty and lack of physical blemish. This verse adds a specific detail about his hair, highlighting its extraordinary growth and weight.

Key Themes

  • Absalom's Vanity and Appearance: The detailed description of his hair, the yearly trimming, and the precise weighing underscore Absalom's striking physical appearance and likely his personal vanity.
  • Exceptional Physical Trait: The sheer weight of his hair (two hundred shekels, which scholars estimate could be several pounds, though the exact weight of a shekel varied) indicates an unusually thick and heavy growth, setting him apart visually.
  • Status and Significance: The use of the "king's weight" suggests a standard or official measure, perhaps hinting at the importance placed on this detail due to Absalom's royal status.

Linguistic Insights

The word "polled" in the KJV means to cut or trim the hair, specifically to cut off the growth. A "shekel" was an ancient unit of weight, commonly used for measuring precious metals like silver and gold, but also other commodities. The phrase "after the king's weight" indicates that a standard, official weight recognized by the royal court was used for this measurement, ensuring a consistent standard.

Significance and Reflection

This verse provides a vivid detail about Absalom's physical appearance, reinforcing the description in the previous verse. His extraordinary hair was clearly a notable feature, requiring yearly maintenance due to its weight. While seemingly a minor detail, it contributes to the overall portrait of Absalom as a man of exceptional physical presence and attractiveness, traits he later leveraged to win the hearts of the people of Israel and mount a rebellion against his father, David. The focus on his appearance foreshadows how external charm can sometimes mask internal ambition or deceit.

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 44:20 (4 votes)

    Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.

  • 2 Samuel 18:9 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that [was] under him went away.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:14 (3 votes)

    Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

  • Isaiah 3:24 (2 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, [that] instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; [and] burning instead of beauty.

  • Leviticus 19:36 (2 votes)

    Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

  • Genesis 23:16 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current [money] with the merchant.

  • Ezekiel 45:9 (2 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.