2 Samuel 14:29
New International Version
Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So he sent a second time, but he refused to come.

New Living Translation
Then Absalom sent for Joab to ask him to intercede for him, but Joab refused to come. Absalom sent for him a second time, but again Joab refused to come.

English Standard Version
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come.

Berean Standard Bible
Then he sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So Absalom sent a second time, but Joab still would not come.

King James Bible
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

New King James Version
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

New American Standard Bible
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. So he sent word again a second time, but he would not come.

NASB 1995
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. So he sent again a second time, but he would not come.

NASB 1977
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. So he sent again a second time, but he would not come.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he was not willing to come to him. So he sent again a second time, but he was not willing to come.

Amplified Bible
So Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him; even when he sent again a second time, he [still] would not come.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab was unwilling to come to him. So he sent again, a second time, but he still would not come.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab was unwilling to come. So he sent again, a second time, but he still wouldn’t come.

American Standard Version
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come.

Contemporary English Version
He wanted Joab to talk to David for him. So one day he sent a message asking Joab to come over, but Joab refused. Absalom sent another message, but Joab still refused.

English Revised Version
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come. Absalom sent for him a second time, but he still refused to come.

Good News Translation
Then he sent for Joab, to ask him to go to the king for him; but Joab would not come. Again Absalom sent for him, and again Joab refused to come.

International Standard Version
After this, Absalom sent for Joab, intending to send him to the king, but Joab would not come. Absalom sent for him a second time, but he still would not come.

Majority Standard Bible
Then he sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So Absalom sent a second time, but Joab still would not come.

NET Bible
Then Absalom sent a message to Joab asking him to send him to the king, but Joab was not willing to come to him. So he sent a second message to him, but he still was not willing to come.

New Heart English Bible
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, that he might send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

World English Bible
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time, but he would not come.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Absalom sends to Joab, to send him to the king, and he has not been willing to come to him; and he sends again a second time, and he has not been willing to come.

Young's Literal Translation
and Absalom sendeth unto Joab, to send him unto the king, and he hath not been willing to come unto him; and he sendeth again a second time, and he hath not been willing to come.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Absalom will send to Joab to send him to the king, and he would not come to him: and he will send yet the second time, and he would not come.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He sent therefore to Joab, to send him to the king: but he would not come to him. And when he had sent the second time, and he would not come to him,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, he sent to Joab, so that he might send him to the king. But he refused to come to him. And when he had sent a second time, and he had refused to come to him,

New American Bible
Then he sent a message asking Joab to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. Although he asked him a second time, Joab would not come.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king; but Joab would not come to him. He sent a second time, but Joab would not come.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore Absalom summoned Joab to send him to the king; but he would not come to him; and he sent a second time, but he would not come.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abishlum sent for Yuab to send him to the King, and he was not willing to come, and he sent again a second time, and he was unwilling to come
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him; and he sent again a second time, but he would not come.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abessalom sent to Joab to bring him in to the king, and he would not come to him: and he sent to him the second time, and he would not come.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom Reconciled to David
28Now Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king. 29Then he sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So Absalom sent a second time, but Joab still would not come. 30Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 13:39
And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.

2 Samuel 15:1-6
Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. / He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” ...

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 18:33
The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 19:4
But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

1 Kings 1:5-10
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) / So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. ...

1 Kings 2:28-34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...

Genesis 37:18-28
Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!” ...

Genesis 42:6-9
Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. / And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” / Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. ...

Esther 5:1-8
On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. / As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. / “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.” ...

Esther 7:1-10
So the king and Haman went to dine with Esther the queen, / and as they drank their wine on that second day, the king asked once more, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.” / Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request. ...

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew 27:3-5
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” / So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Luke 15:11-32
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ...

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

but he would

2 Samuel 14:30,31
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…

Esther 1:12
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

Matthew 22:3
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

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2 Samuel 14
1. Joab, suborning a widow of Tekoah to incline the king's heart to fetch Absalom,
21. brings him home to Jerusalem
25. Absalom's beauty, hair, and children
28. After two years, Absalom is brought into the king's presence by Joab














Then Absalom sent for Joab
Absalom, the son of King David, is a central figure in this narrative. His actions here reflect his strategic and ambitious nature. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate action, often used in contexts of authority or command. Absalom's decision to send for Joab, David's military commander, indicates his desire to leverage Joab's influence to gain an audience with the king. Historically, Joab was a powerful figure in David's court, known for his military prowess and political acumen. Absalom's choice to engage Joab underscores his understanding of the political landscape and his intent to navigate it to his advantage.

to send him to the king
The phrase highlights Absalom's ultimate goal: to communicate with King David. The Hebrew word for "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melech) is significant, as it denotes not just a ruler, but one who is divinely appointed in the context of Israel. Absalom's desire to reach the king suggests a need for reconciliation or a strategic move to regain favor. This reflects the broader biblical theme of seeking the king's audience as a means of resolving conflict or petitioning for justice, reminiscent of Esther's approach to King Xerxes.

but Joab refused to come to him
Joab's refusal is telling of the complex dynamics at play. The Hebrew root for "refused" (מָאֵן, ma'en) conveys a strong, deliberate denial. Joab's decision not to respond to Absalom's summons could be interpreted as a political maneuver, indicating his awareness of the potential risks involved in aligning with Absalom. This refusal also highlights Joab's autonomy and his ability to make independent decisions, even in the face of royal family requests. Historically, Joab's loyalty was primarily to King David, and his actions often reflected a careful balance between personal ambition and allegiance to the throne.

So he sent a second time
Absalom's persistence is evident in his decision to send for Joab again. The repetition of "sent" emphasizes his determination and perhaps desperation. This persistence can be seen as a reflection of Absalom's character—tenacious and unwilling to accept defeat easily. In the broader biblical narrative, persistence in seeking an audience with authority figures is a recurring theme, often associated with faith and perseverance, as seen in the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18.

but Joab still would not come
The continued refusal by Joab underscores the tension and complexity of the situation. The phrase "still would not come" suggests a firm and resolute stance by Joab. This repeated denial could indicate Joab's strategic calculation, weighing the potential consequences of involving himself in Absalom's affairs. It also reflects the broader theme of divine providence and human agency, where individuals make choices that align with or resist God's overarching plan. Joab's actions, while seemingly autonomous, fit into the larger narrative of God's unfolding purposes for David's house and the nation of Israel.

(29) He would not come.--Joab felt that he had already gone far enough in procuring Absalom's return, and, as he still continued under the displeasure of the king, he was not disposed to do anything more. Possibly also he thought Absalom should have shown some sign of penitence for his great crime.

Verse 29. - Absalom sent for Joab. As Joab had been the means of bringing him back, Absalom naturally regarded him as a friend. But Joab had performed the former service for other reasons, and it does not seem as if he really had any affection for Absalom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then [he]
אַבְשָׁל֜וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

for
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Joab
יוֹאָ֗ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

to send
לִשְׁלֹ֤חַ (liš·lō·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

him to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king,
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

but Joab refused
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to come.
לָב֣וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

So [Absalom] sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

the second [time],
שֵׁנִ֔ית (šê·nîṯ)
Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

but [Joab] still would not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

come.
לָבֽוֹא׃ (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT History: 2 Samuel 14:29 Then Absalom sent for Joab to send (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 14:28
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