Bible Strands
2 Samuel 14:21
Then the king said to Joab, “I hereby grant this request. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The king addresses Joab immediately after the woman of Tekoa finishes her parable and acknowledges his discernment. He responds to Joab’s hidden scheme by issuing a direct command.
The words — הִנֵּה־ נָא עָשִׂיתִי (hi.neh-na a.Si.ti) translates literally as “here! please I do,” functioning as an emphatic declaration of agreement. It marks the king’s formal acceptance of the request presented in the preceding dialogue.
The thread — The king’s unilateral decision echoes Saul’s rash oath in 1 Samuel 14:39 and contrasts with Herod’s reluctant compliance in Mark 6:26. All three passages show rulers yielding to political or social pressure rather than divine law.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition of how authority figures can override justice when managing personal or political convenience. It requires the reader to weigh the cost of royal pardons against the established boundaries of covenant law.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 14:11 “Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”
- 1 Samuel 14:39 As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.
- Mark 6:26 The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.