Definition: 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 kingâs face; and if there be [any] iniquity in me, let him kill me.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Samuel 14:32. It's a really dramatic and complex moment in King David’s life, and it’s full of shifting emotions and strategic thinking. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: Absalom is angry: Absalom, David’s son, is deeply upset with his father, David. He feels he’s been unfairly treated and that he's not valued. He’s plotting something: He’s sending a message to Joab, his commander, to travel to the King (Solomon) and ask him why he was sent there. The core of his issue is that he believes he deserves more respect and consideration than he receives. He's questioning his own worth: He’s essentially asking himself: “Am I doing something wrong? Am I a bad person? Is there something in my life that needs to be addressed?” Let’s unpack the key phrases: “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?” This is the crucial part. "Geshur" was a kingdom in southern Iraq. David had exiled Absalom to this region for his rebellious behavior. Absalom is actively trying to justify his exile and demanding an explanation. He’s using this message as a way to test Joab – to see if he's willing to accept the situation and perhaps even challenge it. “it had been / good for me [to have been] there still: This is a really important part of the context. It means Absalom felt that being in Geshur, despite the exile, was better than remaining in David’s service. He believed he received more favor and respect there, which fueled his anger. He's essentially saying, "I've been miserable here, but being exiled to Geshur has been better for me." “now therefore let me see the kingâs face; and if there be [any] iniquity in me…” This is Absalom’s plea. He wants to know exactly what he needs to do to earn David's forgiveness and avoid punishment. He's asking for a direct confrontation – “Show me what I need to do.” The Overall Meaning: Absalom is essentially pleading for justification. He’s trying to understand why he’s being treated unfairly and demanding to be held accountable. It's a moment of intense emotional turmoil and a desperate attempt to regain his sense of worth. He wants to know if he is doing something wrong that deserves punishment. Important Note: This passage is complex, and there are different interpretations of its meaning. It’s a pivotal moment in the story, setting the stage for further conflict and ultimately leading to David's decision to banish Absalom. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Discuss the context of Geshur? Explain the significance of "iniquity"? Provide a slightly simpler explanation of the emotional tone of the passage?