2 Samuel 14:20
ESV
In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth."
NIV
Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God—he knows everything that happens in the land."
NASB
In order to change the appearance of things your servant Joab has done this thing. But my lord is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know all that is on the earth.'
CSB
Joab your servant has done this to address the issue indirectly, but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, knowing everything on earth."
NLT
He did it to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you understand everything that happens among us!'
KJV
To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
NKJV
To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”
What does 2 Samuel 14:20 mean?
Joab sent a crafty woman to David with a false complaint. She skillfully told the story about one son who killed another and the kinsmen who wanted to take revenge, leaving her late husband without an heir to keep the land. She was so convincing that David agreed to pardon this imaginary murderer. At this, she followed Joab's plan and confronted David about his unforgiveness toward his son Absalom, who murdered his own brother, despite God's proven grace (2 Samuel 14:1–11).It's unclear what's going through her mind. After speaking so boldly to David the king, she seems to be caught between furthering Joab's agenda and avoiding David's anger. She wants David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. But if David realizes she lied about her family, she could be in real trouble.
She combines flattery and praises for David's wisdom with explanations of Joab's intent. He believes it's bad for Israel to keep Absalom in exile (2 Samuel 14:13). As before (2 Samuel 14:17), the woman compares David to a messenger—an angel—who speaks only God's truth. She says he knows "all things that are on the earth," which might mean he knows everything that goes on in the nation.
David concedes Joab's point. Absalom can return to Jerusalem. But he may not interact with David. It will take another two years before David agrees to see him again (2 Samuel 14:21–33).
Joab is a great warrior and very loyal to David, but he's too quick to ignore David's wishes. He murdered Abner right after David made a treaty with him (2 Samuel 3:12–30) and killed Amasa after claiming peace (2 Samuel 20:8–10). He convinces David to bring back Absalom, which is a mistake: Absalom winds up taking the kingdom and sending David into exile (2 Samuel 15). And when David tells Joab to defeat Absalom but not kill him, Joab kills him, anyway (2 Samuel 18:9–15). As David lays dying, Joab tries to make his son Adonijah king instead of Solomon (1 Kings 1:7). This is the last straw for David. As with his sons, David has been reluctant to discipline Joab for disobeying orders. After he makes Solomon king, David tells Solomon to execute Joab for the deaths of Abner and Amasa (1 Kings 2:5). Solomon does so, even when Joab refuses to leave the tabernacle (1 Kings 2:28–35).
