2 Samuel 14:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Joab fell on his face to the ground and paid homage and blessed the king. And Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has granted the request of his servant."

NIV: Joab fell with his face to the ground to pay him honor, and he blessed the king. Joab said, "Today your servant knows that he has found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, because the king has granted his servant’s request."

NASB: And Joab fell on his face to the ground, prostrated himself, and blessed the king; then Joab said, 'Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.'

CSB: Joab fell with his face to the ground in homage and blessed the king. "Today," Joab said, "your servant knows I have found favor with you, my lord the king, because the king has granted the request of your servant."

NLT: Joab bowed with his face to the ground in deep respect and said, 'At last I know that I have gained your approval, my lord the king, for you have granted me this request!'

KJV: And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.

NKJV: Then Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed himself, and thanked the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.”

David agrees to Joab's request to let Absalom return to Jerusalem. Joab's response reflects court customs. Petitioners often referred to themselves as "your servant." His blessing is also part of normal court customs. No one can leave the king's presence until he dismisses them and they have blessed him. We aren't told what the blessing is; it's not Joab's next words.

Joab is also immensely relieved that he still has his head. He hired an actress to present David with a fake court case, to soften his heart toward Absalom. It's not clear if David knows the woman's story is fake, but he does now know her very presence is Joab's ploy.

Part of Joab's relief is that he honestly thinks this is the best decision for the kingdom (2 Samuel 14:13). Unfortunately, his status as a great general doesn't mean he's sensitive to the wisdom of God. By the time David dies, Joab will have murdered two honorable generals and tried to make Adonijah king, all against David's wishes (2 Samuel 3:12–30; 20:8–10; 1 Kings 1:7). Right now, by bringing Absalom home, he's setting the stage for Absalom's rebellion against David (2 Samuel 15).

Today, David does as Joab asks. As David lay dying, he orders Joab's execution (1 Kings 2:5).

Second Samuel 14:21–24 describes how David pardons his son but doesn't forgive him. After killing his brother for raping his sister, Absalom fled to his maternal grandfather (2 Samuel 13). Joab has convinced David to allow Absalom home to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:1–20). But David refuses to see him or welcome him back to the court. Absalom waits two years, trying to get Joab's attention. Finally, Absalom sets Joab's fields on fire, leading to a meeting where David agrees to reconcile (2 Samuel 14:28–33).

Second Samuel 14 sets the scene for Absalom's rebellion against David. Joab wants David to forgive Absalom for murdering his brother and end his exile. Joab has a woman pretend to be a widow, who tells a story about a murderous son to convince David to pardon his own son. David brings Absalom home to Jerusalem, but not to the court or family. Joab eventually convinces David to see Absalom and the two are officially reconciled. With freedom, status, and ambition, Absalom starts a campaign to draw the people's hearts away from David and toward himself (2 Samuel 15:1–6).

Second Samuel 14 continues God's promise that tragedy will plague David's family. This is a curse for David's sin against Uriah and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:9–11). David's son Amnon raped his own half-sister Tamar. Tamar's full brother Absalom avenged her by killing Amnon, then fled to his maternal grandfather (2 Samuel 13). David thinks about Absalom, and Joab convinces David to bring him home and reconcile with him. Absalom wins the hearts of the people and takes the throne while David flees. Eventually, Absalom will be dead, and David will be a chastened man and wiser king. (2 Samuel 15–20).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.