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Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king`s heart was toward Absalom.

Verse Takeaways

1

A Father's Ambiguous Heart

Commentators like Ellicott and Gill highlight a significant ambiguity in the original Hebrew. The phrase "the king's heart was toward Absalom" can mean David longed for his son, or that he was hostile toward him. This uncertainty paints a complex picture of David, torn between his love as a father and his duty as a king to uphold justice.

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Book Overview

2 Samuel

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Commentaries

3

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 2 Samuel 14:1

19th Century

Bishop

Was toward Absalom. — This, like the last verse of the previous chapter, may be understood in either of two opposite sens…

John Gill

John Gill

On 2 Samuel 14:1

17th Century

Pastor

Now Joab the son of Zeruiah
The general of David's army:

perceived that the king's heart [was] to…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 2 Samuel 14:1–20

17th Century

Minister

We may notice here, how this widow pleads God's mercy and His clemency toward poor, guilty sinners. The state of sinners is a state of banishment f…