Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Absalom said to Joab, “Look, I sent word to you and said, ‘Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there!"’ Now then, I want to see the king’s face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.” New Living Translation And Absalom replied, “Because I wanted you to ask the king why he brought me back from Geshur if he didn’t intend to see me. I might as well have stayed there. Let me see the king; if he finds me guilty of anything, then let him kill me.” English Standard Version Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent word to you, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.’” Berean Standard Bible “Look,” said Absalom, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.” Berean Literal Bible And Absalom answered unto Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king to say: Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ And now let me see the face of the king. But if there is in me iniquity, let him kill me.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version And Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” ’ Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.” New American Standard Bible Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me still to be there.”’ Now then, let me see the king’s face, and if there is guilt in me, he can have me executed.” NASB 1995 Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me still to be there."’ Now therefore, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him put me to death.” NASB 1977 And Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me still to be there.”’ Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him put me to death.” Legacy Standard Bible And Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me still to be there.”’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him put me to death.” Amplified Bible Absalom answered Joab, “I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come [back] from Geshur? It would be better for me to still be there.”’ Now then, let me see the king’s face, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.” Berean Annotated Bible “Look, said Absalom (my father is peace) (YHWH is father), “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur (proud beholder)? It would be better for me if I were still there. So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me. Christian Standard Bible “Look,” Absalom explained to Joab, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? I’d be better off if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king. If I am guilty, let him kill me.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Look,” Absalom explained to Joab, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? I’d be better off if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king. If I am guilty, let him kill me.” American Standard Version 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 were better for me to be there still. Now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be iniquity in me, let him kill me. Contemporary English Version Absalom answered, "You didn't pay any attention when I sent for you. I want you to ask my father why he told me to come back from Geshur. I was better off there. I want to see my father now! If I'm guilty, let him kill me." English Revised Version 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 were better for me to be there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be iniquity in me, let him kill me. GOD'S WORD® Translation Absalom answered Joab, "I sent someone to tell you to come here because I wanted to send you to the king to ask him why I had to come from Geshur. It would be better for me if I were still there. Let me see the king now! If I'm guilty of a sin, he should kill me." Good News Translation Absalom answered, "Because you wouldn't come when I sent for you. I wanted you to go to the king and ask for me: 'Why did I leave Geshur and come here? It would have been better for me to have stayed there.'" And Absalom went on, "I want you to arrange for me to see the king, and if I'm guilty, then let him put me to death." International Standard Version In answer to Joab, Absalom replied, "Look, I sent for you, telling you 'Come here so I can send you to the king to ask him "What's the point in moving here from Geshur? I would have been better off to have remained there!"' So let me see the king's face, and if I'm guilty of anything, let him execute me!" NET Bible Absalom said to Joab, "Look, I sent a message to you saying, 'Come here so that I can send you to the king with this message: "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there."' Let me now see the face of the king. If I am at fault, let him put me to death!" New Heart English Bible And Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there. Now therefore let me appear before the king. If I am guilty, put me to death.’" Webster's Bible Translation And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Why am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me had I been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there is any iniquity in me, let him kill me. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Look,” said Absalom, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.” World English Bible Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Absalom says to Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, Come here, and I send you to the king to say, Why have I come in from Geshur? [It was] good for me while I [was] there—and now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me then you have put me to death.” Berean Literal Bible And Absalom answered unto Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king to say: Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ And now let me see the face of the king. But if there is in me iniquity, let him kill me.” Young's Literal Translation And Absalom saith unto Joab, 'Lo, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, and I send thee unto the king to say, Why have I come in from Geshur? -- good for me while I am there -- and now, let me see the king's face, and if there is in me iniquity then thou hast put me to death.' Smith's Literal Translation And Absalom will say to Joab, Behold, I sent to thee, saying, Come hither, and I will send thee to the king, saying, Wherefore came I from Geshur? Good to me even I was there: and now I will see the king's face; and if there is iniquity in me, and kill me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Absalom answered Joab: I sent to thee beseeching thee to come to me, that I might send thee to the king, to say to him: Wherefore am I come from Gessur? it had been better for me to be there: I beseech thee therefore that I may see the face of the king: and if he be mindful of my iniquity, let him kill me. Catholic Public Domain Version And Absalom responded to Joab: “I sent to you, begging that you might come to me, and that I might send you to the king, and that you might say to him: ‘Why was I brought from Geshur? It would have been better for me to be there.’ I beg you, therefore, that I may see the face of the king. And if he is mindful of my iniquity, let him put me to death.” New American Bible Absalom answered Joab: “I sent you a message: Come here, that I may send you to the king to say: ‘Why did I come back from Geshur? I would be better off if I were still there!’ Now, let me appear before the king. If I am guilty, let him put me to death.” New Revised Standard Version Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent word to you: Come here, that I may send you to the king with the question, ‘Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.’ Now let me go into the king’s presence; if there is guilt in me, let him kill me!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to you, saying, Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask why I have come from Geshur. It was better for me while I was there; now I want to appear before the king and if there is any iniquity in me, let him kill me. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Abishlum said to Yuab: “Behold I sent to you and I said: “Come, I shall send you to the King and you shall say to him, ‘Why have I come from Geshur? It was better for me when I was there, and now I wish to appear before the King. If there is a crime with me, let him kill me!’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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 were better for me to be there still; now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be iniquity in me, let him kill me.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abessalom said to Joab, Behold, I sent to thee, saying, Come hither, and I will send thee to the king, saying, Why did I come out of Gedsur? it would have been better for me to have remained there: and now, behold, I have not seen the face of the king; but if there is iniquity in me, then put me to death. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Absalom Reconciled to David…31Then Joab came to Absalom’s house and demanded, “Why did your servants set my field on fire?” 32“Look,” said Absalom, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.” 33So Joab went and told the king, and David summoned Absalom, who came to him and bowed facedown before him. Then the king kissed Absalom.… Cross References “Look,” said Absalom, 2 Samuel 15:2-6 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.” / And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.” … 1 Kings 1:5-6 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.) “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. Genesis 45:4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! Genesis 37:13-14 Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied. / Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem, I want to send you to the king to ask: Esther 4:8-11 Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people. / So Hathach went back and relayed Mordecai’s response to Esther. / Then Esther spoke to Hathach and instructed him to tell Mordecai, … 1 Kings 2:13-17 Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. / Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. / “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. … Why have I come back from Geshur? 2 Samuel 13:37-38 Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day. / After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years. 1 Kings 2:36-40 Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. … It would be better for me if I were still there.’ Jonah 4:3 And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 1 Kings 19:4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” Numbers 11:15 If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.” So now, let me see the king’s face, Proverbs 16:15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. Esther 5:1-2 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. Esther 8:3-4 And once again, Esther addressed the king. She fell at his feet weeping and begged him to revoke the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. / The king extended the gold scepter toward Esther, and she arose and stood before the king. and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.” 1 Samuel 20:8 Therefore show kindness to your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?” Numbers 35:31 You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death. Treasury of Scripture And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to you, saying, Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, Why 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. it had been Exodus 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. Exodus 16:3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? if there Genesis 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 1 Samuel 15:13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. Psalm 36:2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. Jump to Previous Absalom Better Face Geshur Good Hither Iniquity Joab Kill King's WhereforeJump to Next Absalom Better Face Geshur Good Hither Iniquity Joab Kill King's Wherefore2 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 “Look,” said Absalom, Absalom, the third son of King David, is a central figure in this narrative. His name means "father of peace," yet his life is marked by conflict and rebellion. This phrase indicates his assertive and confrontational nature, setting the tone for the conversation. Absalom's character is complex, embodying both charm and ambition, which ultimately lead to his downfall. “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.” Persons / Places / Events 1. AbsalomThe third son of King David, known for his handsome appearance and rebellious nature. He is central to this passage as he seeks reconciliation with his father, King David. 2. Joab David's military commander and a key figure in the account. He acts as an intermediary between Absalom and King David. 3. King David The reigning king of Israel and father of Absalom. His relationship with Absalom is strained due to past events, including Absalom's murder of his brother Amnon. 4. Geshur A region where Absalom fled after killing Amnon. It represents a place of exile and separation from his father and the kingdom. 5. The Event of Reconciliation This passage is part of the larger account where Absalom seeks to be reconciled with his father, King David, after being in exile. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinAbsalom's actions remind us that sin can lead to separation and broken relationships. We must be mindful of our actions and their potential impact on others. The Importance of Reconciliation Absalom's desire to see the king's face highlights the human need for reconciliation. As Christians, we are called to seek reconciliation with others and with God. The Role of Intermediaries Joab's role as a mediator reflects the importance of having peacemakers in our lives who can help bridge gaps in broken relationships. Facing Consequences with Courage Absalom's willingness to face the king and accept the consequences of his actions is a lesson in accountability and courage. The Father's Heart David's eventual acceptance of Absalom mirrors God's willingness to forgive and restore us when we repent and seek His face. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 14:32?2. Why does Absalom request to see the king in 2 Samuel 14:32? 3. How does Absalom's plea reflect his relationship with King David? 4. What does Absalom's statement reveal about justice and accountability in leadership? 5. How can we apply Absalom's persistence in seeking resolution to our conflicts? 6. What other biblical examples show the importance of confronting unresolved issues? 7. Why did Absalom insist on seeing the king in 2 Samuel 14:32? 8. What does Absalom's request reveal about his character in 2 Samuel 14:32? 9. How does 2 Samuel 14:32 reflect the theme of reconciliation and justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 14? 11. Who is Absalom in historical or biblical context? 12. What is the essence of Absalom's Spirit? 13. 2 Samuel 14:21-24: Why would David, a supposedly just king, rely on subterfuge rather than open negotiation to resolve Absalom's banishment? 14. 2 Samuel 6:14 - How plausible is David's public dancing without concern for royal decorum, given the cultural norms of ancient Near Eastern kings? What Does 2 Samuel 14:32 Mean LookAbsalom opens with an urgent word that grabs Joab’s attention. • The word signals frustration that Joab had ignored him twice (2 Samuel 14:29). • It also underscores Absalom’s impatience; his exile and semi-isolation have stretched on for years (2 Samuel 13:38; 14:28). • Similar expressions of urgency appear in Genesis 42:1 and John 4:35, where decisive action is called for. I sent for you and said Absalom reminds Joab he had already summoned him. • Joab’s failure to respond forced Absalom to burn Joab’s field (2 Samuel 14:30–31). • Persistent requests mirror the widow’s repeated pleas in Luke 18:1–5, showing that perseverance can break through indifference. • Joab’s reluctance contrasts with his earlier role as mediator (2 Samuel 14:1–3). Come here A direct command, revealing Absalom’s determination to be heard. • He refuses to stay sidelined while his relationship with David remains unresolved. • Compare 1 Kings 1:12, where urgent counsel also requires immediate presence. • The phrase shows Absalom treating Joab less as a commander and more as a messenger he expects to obey. I want to send you to the king to ask: Absalom appoints Joab as his advocate. • Joab had engineered Absalom’s return (2 Samuel 14:21–23); now Absalom expects him to finish the task. • Biblical pattern: intermediaries appeal to authority—Nathan before David (2 Samuel 12:1), Esther before Xerxes (Esther 4:8). • Absalom seeks an official audience, not a back-door reconciliation. Why have I come back from Geshur? He questions the purpose of his partial restoration. • Geshur was a refuge but also a foreign land (2 Samuel 13:37). David’s invitation back implied forgiveness, yet Absalom remains barred from court (2 Samuel 14:24, 28). • His words echo Psalm 85:6—“Will You not revive us again?”—pleading for completion of mercy. • The underlying issue: justice versus mercy after Absalom’s murder of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:28-29). It would be better for me if I were still there Exile feels preferable to half-freedom. • Living near Jerusalem without access to his father equals ongoing disgrace (2 Samuel 14:24). • Similar sentiments appear in Ruth 1:13 (“it is more bitter for me than for you”) and Philippians 1:23, where Paul weighs two undesirable options. • Absalom frames the situation as pointless limbo—no vindication, no punishment. So now, let me see the king’s face Absalom presses for full restoration or judgment. • In ancient courts, seeing the king’s face meant acceptance (Genesis 43:3; Esther 1:14). • David’s face represents both paternal and royal approval. • The request anticipates later Scriptures where access to God’s face equals fellowship (Psalm 27:8; Revelation 22:4). and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me. He offers to accept capital punishment if still guilty. • Israelite law allowed death for murder (Numbers 35:31). Absalom submits himself to that standard. • Comparable declarations: Jonathan before Saul (1 Samuel 20:32-33), Paul before Caesar (Acts 25:11). • The statement is bold yet manipulative—Absalom wagers David will not execute him, banking on royal compassion (2 Samuel 13:39). summary Absalom’s words expose the tension between incomplete reconciliation and justice. He forces Joab to secure either full acceptance or lawful punishment, refusing to live in unresolved exile. The verse highlights the cost of sin, the need for genuine restoration, and the dangers of forced reconciliation that lacks true repentance. (32) If there be any iniquity.--Absalom makes no acknowledgment of having done wrong, but simply says that this state of half-reconciliation is intolerable. He must either be punished or fully pardoned. Joab's intercession accomplishes its purpose; the king receives Absalom, and kisses him in token of complete reconciliation. In this David showed great weakness, for which he afterwards suffered severely.Verse 32. - If there be (any) iniquity in me, let him kill me. The word "any," wrongly inserted in the Authorized Version, as omitted in the Revised Version. It would have been monstrous for Absalom to profess innocence, with the murder of Amnon fresh in his memory; but the phrase, "if there be iniquity in me," means, "if my offence is still unpardoned." If year after year he was to be treated as a criminal, then he would rather be put to death at once. And Absalom's plea succeeds. Joab, who had been unwilling to visit the prisoner, now consents to act as mediator, reports to David his son's vexation at such long continued coldness, and obtains full pardon. |
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