Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.
And Joab son of Zeruial knoweth that the heart of the king is on Absalom,
And Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom.
2 Samuel — David's reign in three movements — rise, fall, consequences — with the Davidic covenant (ch. 7) as the vertical spine down the centre. A covenant held through both rise and fall; a throne established for ever.
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread — the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
Voices3
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah,.... The general of David's army: perceived that the king's heart was towards Absalom; and longed to have him returned, though he knew not how to bring it about with credit to himself, his crime being so foul, and worthy of death.
John Gill· Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763)reformed
Was towards - He desired to see him, but was ashamed to shew kindness to one whom God's law and his own conscience obliged him to punish; he wanted therefore a fair pretense, which therefore Joab gave him.
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament, 1765evangelical
As one who was himself a delinquent, by the murder of Abner. He was conscious to himself of the guilt of blood, and that he was himself obnoxious to public justice, and therefore whatever favour he could procure to be shown to Absalom would corroborate his reprieve.
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1710puritan
The verses this one reaches7
And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.”
Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.
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!”
The king was shaken and went up to the gate chamber 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!”
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
The walk8
Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first — the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.
Through
Proverbs 29:26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.
leads to
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
O LORD, save the king. Answer us on the day we call.
Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.
and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds.
Through
2 Samuel 2:18The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
leads to
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions…
GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights! For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments.
Through
2 Samuel 13:39And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.
leads to
And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.
The whole web at once: see the Arc.
