King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 14:32 Mean?

2 Samuel 14:32 in the King James Version says “And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wher... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.

2 Samuel 14:32 · KJV


Context

30

Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. near: Heb. near my place

31

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

32

And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.

33

So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.

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 · 32 words
לֵאמֹ֗ר1 of 32

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַבְשָׁל֣וֹם2 of 32

And Absalom

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

אֶל3 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יוֹאָ֡ב4 of 32

Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

הִנֵּ֣ה5 of 32
H2009

lo!

וְאֶשְׁלְחָה֩6 of 32

Behold I sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֣יךָ׀7 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹ֗ר8 of 32

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּ֙אתִי֙9 of 32

Come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הֵ֠נָּה10 of 32
H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

וְאֶשְׁלְחָה֩11 of 32

Behold I sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֹֽתְךָ֙12 of 32
H853

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

אֶל13 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ14 of 32

the king's

H4428

a king

לֵאמֹ֗ר15 of 32

answered

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֤מָּה16 of 32
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

בָּ֙אתִי֙17 of 32

Come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִגְּשׁ֔וּר18 of 32

from Geshur

H1650

geshur, a district of syria

ט֥וֹב19 of 32

it had been good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לִ֖י20 of 32
H0
עֹ֣ד21 of 32
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

אֲנִי22 of 32
H589

i

שָׁ֑ם23 of 32
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְעַתָּ֗ה24 of 32
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֶרְאֶה֙25 of 32

for me to have been there still now therefore let me see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

פְּנֵ֣י26 of 32

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

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ27 of 32

the king's

H4428

a king

וְאִם28 of 32
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יֶשׁ29 of 32

and if there be

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

בִּ֥י30 of 32
H0
עָוֹ֖ן31 of 32

any iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וֶֽהֱמִתָֽנִי׃32 of 32

in me let him kill

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


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 14:32 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 14:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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