Background:
Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was a prominent military commander under King David. Known for his strategic mind and loyalty to David, Joab played a crucial role in the political and military affairs of Israel. The narrative of Joab's scheme to reconcile David and Absalom is found in 2 Samuel 14. This episode occurs after Absalom, David's son, had fled to Geshur following the murder of his half-brother Amnon, who had violated Absalom's sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13).

The Estrangement:
Absalom's act of vengeance against Amnon led to his estrangement from King David. Despite David's deep love for Absalom, the murder created a rift between them. Absalom fled to his maternal grandfather, King Talmai of Geshur, and remained there for three years. During this time, David longed for reconciliation with his son but did not take steps to bring him back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 13:37-39).

Joab's Intervention:
Recognizing the king's yearning for Absalom and the potential threat of a divided kingdom, Joab devised a plan to facilitate their reconciliation. Joab enlisted a wise woman from Tekoa to present a parable to King David, mirroring the situation between David and Absalom. The woman, under Joab's instruction, approached the king with a fabricated account of her two sons, one of whom had killed the other. She pleaded for the king's protection against the avengers of blood, who sought to execute her remaining son, thus extinguishing her family line (2 Samuel 14:1-7).

David's Response:
Moved by the woman's plea, David assured her of his protection. The woman then revealed the true purpose of her visit, drawing a parallel between her situation and David's estrangement from Absalom. She implored the king to act with mercy and wisdom, emphasizing God's desire for reconciliation and the prevention of further bloodshed (2 Samuel 14:8-17).

Joab's Role Revealed:
David, discerning the hand of Joab in the woman's appeal, confronted her. She admitted that Joab had orchestrated the entire scenario to prompt the king's decision. David, acknowledging Joab's wisdom and the need for reconciliation, instructed Joab to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:18-21).

Absalom's Return:
Joab successfully brought Absalom back to Jerusalem, but David initially refused to see him face-to-face. Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without seeing the king. Eventually, through further intervention by Joab, David and Absalom were reconciled, and the king kissed his son, symbolizing the restoration of their relationship (2 Samuel 14:23-33).

Significance:
Joab's scheme highlights the complexities of familial and political relationships in the biblical narrative. It underscores themes of justice, mercy, and the challenges of leadership. Joab's actions, while manipulative, were driven by a desire to restore unity within the royal family and the nation of Israel. This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of reconciliation and the wisdom required to navigate personal and political conflicts.