Ver. 1. Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived,] sc., By probable signs; as being a cunning old courtier, and long conversant about David: he could easily find which way his pulse beat. That the king’s heart was toward Absalom.] As the eldest now (for Chileab alias Daniel was dead), the fairest of all his sons, and the people’s darling. Only he wanted a fair excuse of fetching him home. Joab, therefore, to gratify David and ingratiate with Absalom, secretly brides this Tekoitess, by her wily discourse to bring about the business. How many good princes are persuaded to anything by the cunning craftiness of their favourites and followers; yea, even bought and sold by them! as it was said of Aurelian the emperor.
Ver. 2. And Joab sent to Tekoah.] A city of Judah, (2 Chronicles 11:6) where the prophet Amos was born, or lived at least, (Amos 1:1) being the grandson of this wise woman, if the Rabbis may be believed. And fetched thence a wise woman.] Witty and well-spoken. Feign thyself to be a mourner.] And that many women can do very artificially. Plautus saith, but not truly, “ Mulier nulla cordicitus dolet ex animo. ” This woman might well be one of those who were usually hired to mourn at funerals.
Ver. 3. And come to the king, and speak on this manner,] viz, By way of parable: the property whereof is, deeply to affect, and to leave a very vehement impression behind it.
Ver. 4. She fell on her face to the ground, &c.] And so she insinuateth, by her civility showed in her gestures, humilitatis et honoris ergo.
Ver. 5. And the king said unto her, What aileth thee?] Kings and princes should courteously admit, patiently hear, and readily help their suppliant subjects. Antonius the emperor was, for this good property, surnamed Pius; Titus, the darling of mankind; Trajan is much renowned in story for this, that being mounted to go against the enemy in battle, he alighted from his horse, only to do justice to a poor woman, that cried out unto him. I am indeed a widow woman.] And therefore in a calamitous condition: especially if thou knewest all. At mulier vidua sum. Ael. Spart.
Ver. 6. And they two strove together in the field.] Upon some sudden and perhaps slight occasion; such as was that recorded by Camerarius, who telleth a story of two brethren walking out in a starlit night: said one of the brethren, Would I had a pasture as large as this element. And said the other, Would I had as many oxen as there be stars. Says the other again, Where would you feed those oxen? In your pasture, replied he. What, whether I would or no? Yea, said he, whether you would or no. What, in spite of me? Yes, said he. And thus it went on from words, till at length the one killed the other.
Ver. 7. And we will destroy the heir also.] That the inheritance may be ours. They pretend zeal for justice: but self swayed them. And so they shall quench my coal which is left.] Which though it cast not much heat, yet if utterly extinct, I am lost. An elegant metaphor used also by Plato, Lucretius, and other heathen authors.
Ver. 8. Go to thine house.] Suitors are to be timely dismissed, when they cannot be presently despatched, as Jethro adviseth. (Exodus 18:13-23)
Ver. 9. The iniquity be on me,] q.d., I am so confident of my surviving son’s innocency, that I doubt not to take the blame upon myself, and dare be bold to say, that you and yours shall sustain no prejudice by favouring my cause, and protecting my child. See the like expressions in Genesis 27:13 Mt 27:25.
Ver. 10. Bring him to me.] This word, Bring him, is spoken to one of David’s officers, saith Vatablus, whom he had assigned for a helper to the woman. Est enim secundae personae masculinum verbum apud Hebraeos.
Ver. 11. Let the king remember the Lord thy God.] Whose viceregent thou art to do me right: which that thou wilt not fail to do, be pleased to swear to me: this she covertly desired, and he granted. And he said, As the Lord liveth.] This oath was not taken “in truth, in righteousness, and in judgment,” as Jeremiah 4:2, for this manslayer ought to have died according to Numbers 35:16,17,21. But it was now David’s own case in respect of Absalom: and thence he was so favourable to this petitioner, and so ready to relieve her.
Ver. 12. And he said, Say on.] [See Trapp on “2Sa 14:5”]
Ver. 13. Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing?] Here is the reddition; an application of the parable which now she brings home to David’s self, making intercession for Absalom by many arguments; but briefly and darkly, quippe perita cure perito: and first she thus reasoneth here: Whereas thou, O king, dislikest the proceeding of my kindred against my son; why art thou so severe and stern against Absalom, upon whom are set the eyes of all the people, as upon their coal and thy successor? For the king doth speak this thing,] sc., Concerning the securing of my son’s life. As one which is faulty,] viz., In too much severity against his own son Absalom. This plain song was very pleasing music to David’s ear; and that Joab knew well enough.