2 Samuel 14:1-33
14:1 Joab observes David's suffering over Absalom's actions and absence and connives a plan to solve it.
14:2-3 Joab chooses a wise-woman from Tekoa to pretend to be a widow in despair over a situation similar to David's own family problems. He is going craft a situation which, he hopes, will subconsciously prod David to forgive Absalom.
14:4 Following Joab's ruse, the woman throws herself to the ground in front of David in faux grief. She asks for the king's help.
14:5 David asks the woman what is wrong and she reiterates her sorrow, likely only for emphasis to stir David's own emotions.
14:6-7 The woman begins her fake story, given to her by Joab. She claims that she had two sons who fought until one killed the other. She tells David that her family wants to kill the brother who murdered. But the woman is upset because if she does allow her son to be killed, her family line will end.
14:8 David understandably does not immediately know what to do with the woman's case. Her tells her to return home while he contemplates.
14:9 The woman begs for her fake-son's life. She asks David to spare him, and she will absorb the resulting guilt.
14:10 David promises to offer the woman protection, thinking that her distress stems from the threats from her family.
14:11 The woman asks David to show mercy on her son (Joab wants David to show mercy to Absalom). David offers the son protection.
14:12-17 The woman asks David if she can bring up another matter (the true mission of Joab's plan) and David gives her permission to continue. She asks David why he is depriving the children of Israel of their next king (not allowing Absalom back into the region).
14:18-20 David begins to catch on. He asks the woman to be truthful and then asks if Joab is behind her scheme. The woman admits that Joab commanded her to speak the lie.
14:21 Still, Joab's plan worked. David gives Joab permission to bring Absalom back. The scheme is ridiculous, though, because God chooses who will lead. He chose David instead of Saul's heir, after all. David might have felt it necessary to restore the heir to the throne but if he had consulted with God, he would have realized it was senseless.
We do best in life when we allow God's choosing and planning to have full authority over our lives.
14:22-24 Joab retrieves Absalom but David commands his son to be kept away from him.
14:25-26 Absalom is described to be a handsome man with long hair.
14:27 Absalom has three sons and a daughter named Tamar (likely after the sister he tried to avenge).
14:28-29 After two years, David still refuses to see his son. Absalom asks Joab to arrange a meeting between them but Joab refuses.
14:30-32 Absalom tells his servants to set Joab's barley field on fire. He manipulates the situation to force Joab to see him. Absalom feels disconnected from his family and resents his current position. He wishes to see his father, even if it means execution for his sin.
14:33 David and Absalom reunite but the discord between them will keep them separated in all the ways that matter.
