Why did Absalom order his servants to burn Joab's field? Tracing the Road to the Bonfire • After Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:23), King David refused to see him face-to-face (v. 24). • For two full years Absalom lived under this partial reconciliation—close to home yet shut out of his father’s presence (v. 28). • Joab, commander of the army and David’s trusted confidant, had been the mediator who persuaded David to bring Absalom back (vv. 1–22). Naturally, Absalom expected Joab to finish what he started by arranging a personal audience with the king. Repeated Requests—Met with Silence 2 Samuel 14:29: “Then Absalom sent for Joab, in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So Absalom sent a second time, but Joab still would not come.” • Two invitations are ignored. • In the honor-shame culture of ancient Israel, such silence signaled deliberate rejection. • Absalom’s political prospects, royal identity, and family honor were all hanging in the balance. The Field That Went Up in Flames 2 Samuel 14:30: “Therefore Absalom said to his servants, ‘See, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!’ And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.” Why burn the field? • To force an encounter: Joab could ignore letters, but not the destruction of his barley—an economic blow and a public insult. • To leverage indebtedness: Joab had risked much to bring Absalom home. Absalom exploited that history to demand follow-through. • To assert power: By striking Joab’s property, Absalom demonstrated he was no sidelined exile but a prince who could not be brushed off. Immediate Outcome • Joab’s reaction was exactly what Absalom anticipated. “Then Joab arose, came to Absalom’s house, and demanded, ‘Why have your servants set my field on fire?’” (v. 31). • Absalom’s reply: “Look, I sent you this message… Now let me see the king. If I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death” (v. 32). • Joab relayed the request; David finally allowed the meeting; father and son bowed and kissed (v. 33). Seeds of Future Rebellion • Though the fire achieved its short-term goal, it also foreshadowed Absalom’s volatile ambition. • Soon afterward, Absalom stole the hearts of Israel (2 Samuel 15:1–6), launched a coup (15:10–14), and plunged the nation into civil war. • James 3:5: “Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.” The literal barley fire mirrored the figurative conflagration Absalom would ignite in the kingdom. Lessons Woven Through Scripture • Sinful impatience escalates conflict (Proverbs 29:22). • Using force to obtain rightful things reveals wrong motives (James 4:1-2). • God’s sovereignty still prevails; He used even Absalom’s rash act to move David toward decisive action, fulfilling His larger redemptive plan (Romans 8:28). |
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