King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 14:22 Mean?

2 Samuel 14:22 in the King James Version says “And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant know... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. thanked: Heb. blessed his servant: or, thy servant

2 Samuel 14:22 · KJV


Context

20

To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

21

And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.

22

And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. thanked: Heb. blessed his servant: or, thy servant

23

So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

24

And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Return, emphasizing incomplete reconciliation. Joab's elaborate scheme to restore Absalom demonstrates human wisdom that undermines divine purposes. The partial reconciliation (Absalom returns but doesn't see David's face) proves insufficient for genuine restoration. Theological themes include the inadequacy of human reconciliation methods apart from genuine repentance, the danger of manipulation even for apparently good ends, and the necessity of complete rather than partial restoration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 14 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding incomplete reconciliation provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of incomplete reconciliation?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיִּפֹּל֩1 of 26

fell

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

יוֹאָ֡ב2 of 26

And Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

אֶל3 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פָּנָ֥יו4 of 26

on his face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אַ֛רְצָה5 of 26

to the ground

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ6 of 26

and bowed

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ7 of 26

himself and thanked

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶת8 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ9 of 26

O king

H4428

a king

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר10 of 26

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יוֹאָ֡ב11 of 26

And Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

הַיּוֹם֩12 of 26

To day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יָדַ֨ע13 of 26

knoweth

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

עַבְדֶּֽוָ׃14 of 26

of his servant

H5650

a servant

כִּֽי15 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָצָ֨אתִי16 of 26

that I have found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵ֤ן17 of 26

grace

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙18 of 26

in thy sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֲדֹנִ֣י19 of 26

my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ20 of 26

O king

H4428

a king

אֲשֶׁר21 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֥ה22 of 26

hath fulfilled

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ23 of 26

O king

H4428

a king

אֶת24 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דְּבַ֥ר25 of 26

the request

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

עַבְדֶּֽוָ׃26 of 26

of his servant

H5650

a servant


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 14:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 14:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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