2 Samuel 14:8
"Go home," the king said to the woman, "and I will give orders on your behalf."
“Go home,”

David dismissed the woman for the moment while he considered the matter she had brought before him. Her appeal concerned the protection of her surviving son, but it was designed by Joab to confront David with the exile of Absalom.

Mrk 5:19 But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own”…
Luk 8:39 Return home and describe how much God has done…
Mrk 2:11 “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”

the king said to the woman,

The woman of Tekoa had been instructed by Joab to present herself as a grieving widow. Through her carefully framed account, she drew David into judging a case that reflected his own family’s division.

Est 5:3 “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired.…
Est 7:2 and as they drank their wine on that second day,…
1Ki 3:27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby”…

“and I will give orders on your behalf.”

David assured her that he would address her request through his royal authority. His response opened the way for the woman to press the larger issue: whether David would show mercy to his banished son, Absalom.

Mat 14:7 he promised with an oath to give her whatever…
Mrk 6:22-23 When the daughter of Herodias came and danced,…
Est 5:6 And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. King David
The reigning king of Israel, known for his heart after God, yet also for his personal and familial struggles.

2. The Woman of Tekoa
A wise woman from Tekoa, instructed by Joab to present a parable to King David to influence his decision regarding Absalom.

3. Joab
David's military commander, who orchestrates the woman's appeal to David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem.

4. Absalom
David's son, who had fled to Geshur after killing his brother Amnon, and whose return to Jerusalem is the subject of the woman's plea.

5. Tekoa
A town in Judah, known for its wise inhabitants, including the prophet Amos.
Teaching Points
The Power of Parables
Parables can be a powerful tool to reveal truth and prompt reflection. Like Nathan's parable to David, the woman of Tekoa's account was designed to open David's eyes to his own situation.

Wisdom in Approach
The woman of Tekoa approached the king with wisdom and respect, demonstrating the importance of how we present our requests and concerns to those in authority.

God's Heart for Reconciliation
This passage reflects God's desire for reconciliation and restoration within families and communities, encouraging us to seek peace and forgiveness.

The Role of Intercessors
Joab and the woman of Tekoa acted as intercessors, showing the impact that advocates can have in bringing about change and reconciliation.

Leadership and Decision-Making
David's willingness to listen and consider the woman's plea highlights the importance of leaders being open to counsel and willing to act justly.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the use of a parable by the woman of Tekoa compare to Nathan's approach to David in 2 Samuel 12, and what can we learn from these methods?

2. In what ways does the account of Absalom's return parallel the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, and what does this teach us about forgiveness and reconciliation?

3. How can we apply the principle of approaching authority figures with wisdom and respect in our own lives, as demonstrated by the woman of Tekoa?

4. What role do intercessors play in our lives today, and how can we be effective advocates for others in need of reconciliation or justice?

5. How can leaders today ensure they are open to wise counsel and willing to make decisions that align with God's heart for justice and reconciliation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 12
Nathan's parable to David, which similarly uses a account to reveal truth and prompt action, highlighting the power of parables in confronting sin and prompting repentance.

Luke 15
The parable of the Prodigal Son, which echoes themes of reconciliation and forgiveness within a family, similar to the situation with Absalom.

Proverbs 15:1
The wisdom of a gentle answer, as demonstrated by the woman's approach to David, which aligns with the biblical principle of using wisdom and gentleness to influence others.
The Woman of TekoahB. Dale 2 Samuel 14:1-20
The Parable of the Woman of TekoaA London Minister2 Samuel 14:5-20
People
Absalom, Joab, Tamar, Zeruiah
Places
Geshur, Jerusalem, Tekoa
Topics
Behalf, Charge, Command, Issue, Order, Orders
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 14:1-20

     5383   lawsuits

2 Samuel 14:1-24

     6682   mediation

2 Samuel 14:1-33

     6684   mediator

2 Samuel 14:4-14

     5438   parables

Library
God's Banished Ones
'God doth devise means, that His banished be not expelled from Him.' 2 SAMUEL xiv. 14. David's good-for-nothing son Absalom had brought about the murder of one of his brothers, and had fled the country. His father weakly loved the brilliant blackguard, and would fain have had him back, but was restrained by a sense of kingly duty. Joab, the astute Commander-in- chief, a devoted friend of David, saw how the land lay, and formed a plan to give the king an excuse for doing what he wished to do. So
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Barley Field on Fire
Omitting the sin of the deed, we have here a picture of what is often done by our gracious God, with the wisest and best design. Often he sendeth for us, not for his profit, but for ours. He would have us come near to him and receive a blessing at his hands; but we are foolish and cold-hearted and wicked, and we will not come. He, knowing that we will not come by any other means, sendeth a serious trial: he sets our barley-field on fire; which he has a right to do, seeing our barley-fields are far
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

The Blessed Privilege of Seeing God Explained
They shall see God. Matthew 5:8 These words are linked to the former and they are a great incentive to heart-purity. The pure heart shall see the pure God. There is a double sight which the saints have of God. 1 In this life; that is, spiritually by the eye of faith. Faith sees God's glorious attributes in the glass of his Word. Faith beholds him showing forth himself through the lattice of his ordinances. Thus Moses saw him who was invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Believers see God's glory as it were
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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