“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). The events in the household of king David did not just bring a family feud but enmity and dryness. David’s own son had raped his daughter, the brother of the raped daughter, another son of David, killed the rapist and fled. The atmosphere in David’s palace was not the best at this moment. Sometimes when situations such as these happen, it can literally crush one’s spirit. David’s cycle of misfortunes could be directly connected to his own sins (adultery and murder). After Absalom avenged his brother, he knew that he was liable to death as well. Absalom action was intentional. It took him two years to plan how to execute the vengeance against Amnon. According to the law, “If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die or if out of enmity one person hits another with their fist so that the other dies, that person is to be put to death; that person is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when they meet” (Numbers 35:20-21).Thus, Absalom was liable to death. The only way for this to be averted is a decree from the king. The woman for this post is a wise woman who was commissioned for the task of restoring Absalom. So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead. (2 Samuel 14:2) For three years, Absalom lived in Gerur. He fled from his father. But, David was comforted and longed for his son. To have Absalom back to Jerusalem, a word from the king would spare Absalom from the avenger of blood. David’s army commander, Joab, took this task upon himself. “Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead. Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth.” (2 Samuel 14:1-3). Of all the women in Jerusalem, Joab knew that for this task, a special woman is needed. Not any ordinary woman but one with a proven record of wisdom. Someone who could boldly stand in front of the king of Israel and request him to send for his son who had fled for committing murder. Joab knew that the wise woman from Tekoa was right for the task. Joab told the woman what to say to the king. King David was merciful to the woman and her plea for mercy for her son was accepted (2 Samuel 14:5-7). After setting the background for mercy, the woman then brought up the story of David’s own son Absalom. She said, “Why then have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, for the king has not brought back his banished son? Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.” (2 Samuel 14:13-14). David knew that this woman did not just walk to the palace with such a story. He knew someone would have tasked her to do what she did. The woman revealed that Joab tasked her to plead on behalf of Absalom. She told David, “Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My Lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God—he knows everything that happens in the land.” (2 Samuel 14:20). The action of the woman did not just restore Absalom, it also healed David’s crushed spirit. 2 Samuel 13:39a indicates that David longed to go to Absalom. King David was consoled concerning the death of Amnon and yet, he allowed Absalom to live in exile until the woman from Tekoa came to him. The action of this woman restored the family of David. Absalom was forgiven and one more time peace was restored in David’s palace. Although the peace did not stay for long, momentary, David’s crushed spirit was revived and Absalom was given a second chance at life. Not many people have a second chance at life. The wise woman’s plea gave Absalom another opportunity to make things right.
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