2 Samuel

2 Samuel 14: Only God makes true peace

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Joab’s plan and David’s son, let us come before the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that only He welcomes sinners fully, and to help us seek Him first.

Yahweh will give strength to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that David brought Absalom home but would not see his face, and show us Jesus, who makes peace through His blood. Help us to seek You first. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Joab sees that the king’s heart is toward Absalom, so he sends for a wise woman from Tekoa and tells her what to say. She tells David a story about two sons, one of whom killed the other, and she asks him to spare her surviving son. David promises to protect him, and she turns his own judgment back on him. David agrees to bring Absalom home, but he does not let him see his face. Two full years pass before Absalom and the king meet.

As you read 2 Samuel 14, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

David brings Absalom home but will not see his face, and only God welcomes sinners fully.

Joab sees that the king’s heart is toward Absalom, so he sends for a wise woman from Tekoa (verses 1 and 2). She acts like a mourner and speaks the words Joab put in her mouth (verses 2 and 3). She speaks of the LORD (verses 11, 14 and 17), but the plan is Joab’s (verse 3). She tells of two brothers, and she fears the avenger of blood will kill the son who is left (verses 6, 7 and 11). David promises to protect her son, and she turns the case on him (verses 8 to 13). David then lets Absalom return to his own house, but he will not see the king’s face (verse 24). Absalom lives two full years in Jerusalem and does not see the king’s face (verse 28). Absalom is home, but the peace is only half made. Christ gives peace with God through faith (Romans 5 verse 1).

How does 2 Samuel 14 show us that David brings Absalom home but will not see his face, and that only God welcomes sinners fully?

Clever plans can bring a son back.

Joab uses a wise woman, who acts as a mourner and speaks the words he gives her (verses 2 and 3). She tells David a story about her two sons (verses 4 to 7). David agrees to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem (verse 21).

A banished son does not yet see the king’s face.

David says that Absalom may return to Jerusalem, but he must not see the king’s face (verse 24). Two full years pass with no meeting (verse 28). When Joab will not come, Absalom sets his field on fire to force a meeting (verses 29 and 30).

Only God welcomes sinners fully, and Jesus gives peace with God.

The woman says God makes a way for the banished to return (verse 14). Jesus gives peace with God to those who believe (Romans 5 verse 1). The peace in this chapter is half made, because David will not let Absalom see his face (verse 24).

Memorise

The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.

2 Samuel 14:24

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I need from God that no clever plan of mine can give?

Joab used a clever story to bring a banished son home. Absalom came back, but he did not see the king’s face for two years. The peace was only half made. Jesus brings sinners all the way home to God.

Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross. He stood in the place of sinners and died for His people once for all, and then He was buried. God raised Him to life. Clever words cannot make a sinner right with God.

So come to Him, and make peace with God through Him. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him has peace with God, and their guilt is forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that David brought Absalom home but would not see his face, and that only God welcomes sinners fully. Parents, please explain verse 14 in your own words, because the woman is making an argument. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that only He welcomes sinners fully, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.

Psalm 147:14

Lord God, thank You that You welcome sinners fully, and that Jesus made peace through His blood. Lead each person here away from sin and into trust in Jesus. Help us to seek Your peace and not clever plans this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.