2 Samuel 14:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Joab arose and went to Absalom at his house and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?"

NIV: Then Joab did go to Absalom’s house, and he said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?"

NASB: Then Joab got up, came to Absalom at his house, and said to him, 'Why have your servants set my plot on fire?'

CSB: Then Joab came to Absalom’s house and demanded, "Why did your servants set my field on fire?"

NLT: Then Joab came to Absalom at his house and demanded, 'Why did your servants set my field on fire?'

KJV: Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?

NKJV: Then Joab arose and came to Absalom’s house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”

Joab, nephew of King David and commander of the army, has a very reasonable question for the king's son, Absalom, under restrictions for killing his brother: Why did your servants set my barley crops on fire? He uses no honorific or respectful language. Despite Absalom's pedigree, he's currently barred from the royal court, a mild punishment David ordered for murdering his brother (2 Samuel 14:24).

Absalom doesn't find the punishment mild. He's waited two years to be reintegrated into his family and political life. Joab brought him back to Jerusalem from exile, It's logical for Absalom to think Joab could pave the way to reconciliation with David. But Absalom sent two messages, and Joab ignored both. Absalom decided that setting Joab's field on fire would force his attention (2 Samuel 14:28–30) It's unclear how much of Joab's crop was burned or how extensive the fire was. It is enough to require Joab's response. Whether stated or not, there's a sense that Absalom may do worse if Joab doesn't meet with him.

That concern should make Joab cautious about Absalom's intentions. Absalom will go outrageous lengths to get what he wants. To avenge his sister and his own honor, Absalom murdered his brother (2 Samuel 13). Now, to initiate reconciliation with the king, he sets his benefactor's field on fire.

Once welcomed back into the royal court, his real manipulation can begin. Absalom gets a chariot with horses and fifty men to run in front of him while he drives through the city. He sits at the city gate where the elders decide legal cases. If someone from a far-off town comes to bring a case to the king, Absalom tells them David hasn't designated a court official to help them: but if he were king, there would be justice (2 Samuel 14:1–4)! Within four years, Absalom wins the hearts of the people enough to drive David into exile and take the throne (2 Samuel 15).

Second Samuel 14:28–33 describes David's reunion with Absalom. Absalom had fled to Geshur after murdering his half-brother for raping their sister (2 Samuel 13). After three years, Joab convinced David to let Absalom return home, but David refused to see him (2 Samuel 14:1–27). After another two years, Absalom convinces David to forgive him. What's good for the family is bad for the kingdom. Absalom's legitimacy makes it easier for him to win the favor of the people, take the crown, and drive David into exile (2 Samuel 15).

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).