What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 14:3? Then go to the king Joab has seen that “the king’s heart longs for Absalom” (2 Samuel 14:1), yet David remains inactive. • By sending the wise woman of Tekoa directly to the throne room, Joab acts much like Nathan did earlier when he confronted David over Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1–7). • Scripture shows that God often moves history through courageous individuals who approach authority figures—think of Esther stepping before Xerxes (Esther 4:14–16) or Nehemiah requesting permission to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1–5). • The command underscores personal responsibility: instead of waiting for circumstances to shift, Joab initiates a plan that will force David to face his own unresolved family crisis. and speak these words to him Joab crafts a carefully worded parable for the woman to recite. • Like Nathan’s earlier story of the rich man and the poor man’s lamb (2 Samuel 12:1–4), the goal is to awaken the king’s sense of justice without direct accusation. • Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Joab relies on that principle: the right words, presented with humility, can penetrate even a hardened heart. • This tactic reflects a wider biblical pattern of storytelling to expose sin and prompt repentance—Jesus’ parables in Luke 15, for instance, bring hearers face-to-face with truth they might otherwise avoid. And Joab put the words in her mouth The phrase shows complete scripting: the woman’s appeal is not spontaneous; it is Joab’s strategy delivered through her voice. • Similar wording is used when God puts His own words into the mouths of prophets (Jeremiah 1:9). Here, however, it is a human commander guiding the speech, revealing both Joab’s initiative and his manipulation. • Scripture faithfully records, without endorsing, the imperfections of its characters. Joab’s plan is driven by political calculation, yet God will still use it to move David toward reconciliation with Absalom (2 Samuel 14:21). • Other examples of people being coached to speak include Rebekah instructing Jacob to secure Isaac’s blessing (Genesis 27:5–10) and Baruch writing Jeremiah’s dictated prophecies (Jeremiah 36:4). God’s sovereignty weaves through each scenario, accomplishing His purposes despite human scheming. summary 2 Samuel 14:3 captures Joab’s calculated effort to mend the rift between David and Absalom by sending a wise woman to deliver a scripted parable. The verse reminds us that God can work through bold initiatives, persuasive words, and even flawed motives to bring about His redemptive plans. |
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