This verse shows how Joab used indirect means to influence David.
Then Joab brought a wise woman from Tekoa, telling her exactly what she must say to King David. 2 Samuel 14:3 reads, “then go to the king and speak to him in this manner.” So Joab put the words in her mouth. (v.3)
Joab was King David’s nephew who served as the commander of his army, active around 1010 - 970 BC, the likely period of David’s reign. Joab’s plan here in 2 Samuel 14 is to persuade David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem. By speaking through the wise woman, Joab orchestrates a parable so that King David will come to a judgment that effectively paves the way for Absalom to be restored.Tekoa itself was a small town in Judah, located a few miles south of Bethlehem, on the edge of the Judean desert.This woman’s performance underscores how Joab relied upon an eloquent prop to trigger the king’s compassion and sense of justice.
In “Then go to the king and speak to him in this manner” (v.3), Joab gave the woman precise instructions, effectively scripting her speech. Joab’s manipulation here shows both the resourcefulness and the moral complexity of David’s inner circle. Joab’s strategic mind is on full display: although his methods are indirect and somewhat deceptive, they aim to resolve the ongoing tension between David and his exiled son, Absalom. Throughout David’s life, Joab often guided or swayed the king’s decisions—sometimes with questionable means—yet generally sought the stability of the kingdom.Ultimately, Joab’s goal with the wise woman’s appeal was to place David in a position where he empathizes with a fictional situation, then draw a parallel with Absalom’s predicament. Such a tactic prompted David’s paternal mercy to override his anger. This account highlights the subtleties of navigating royal favor and uniting a divided household during David’s reign.
The verse in summary: Joab deliberately guided the wise woman in Tekoa, giving her the exact words she should say so that King David would be persuaded to bring Absalom home.
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2 Samuel 14:3 meaning
Then Joab brought a wise woman from Tekoa, telling her exactly what she must say to King David. 2 Samuel 14:3 reads, “then go to the king and speak to him in this manner.” So Joab put the words in her mouth. (v.3)
Joab was King David’s nephew who served as the commander of his army, active around 1010 - 970 BC, the likely period of David’s reign. Joab’s plan here in 2 Samuel 14 is to persuade David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem. By speaking through the wise woman, Joab orchestrates a parable so that King David will come to a judgment that effectively paves the way for Absalom to be restored.Tekoa itself was a small town in Judah, located a few miles south of Bethlehem, on the edge of the Judean desert.This woman’s performance underscores how Joab relied upon an eloquent prop to trigger the king’s compassion and sense of justice.
In “Then go to the king and speak to him in this manner” (v.3), Joab gave the woman precise instructions, effectively scripting her speech. Joab’s manipulation here shows both the resourcefulness and the moral complexity of David’s inner circle. Joab’s strategic mind is on full display: although his methods are indirect and somewhat deceptive, they aim to resolve the ongoing tension between David and his exiled son, Absalom. Throughout David’s life, Joab often guided or swayed the king’s decisions—sometimes with questionable means—yet generally sought the stability of the kingdom.Ultimately, Joab’s goal with the wise woman’s appeal was to place David in a position where he empathizes with a fictional situation, then draw a parallel with Absalom’s predicament. Such a tactic prompted David’s paternal mercy to override his anger. This account highlights the subtleties of navigating royal favor and uniting a divided household during David’s reign.
The verse in summary: Joab deliberately guided the wise woman in Tekoa, giving her the exact words she should say so that King David would be persuaded to bring Absalom home.