2 Samuel 14:28-33·~1 min

Absalom Reconciled to David

Absalom remains in Jerusalem for two years without seeing David, and when Joab ignores his repeated summons, he has Joab's barley field burned.

N²⁸ow Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king. ²⁹Then he sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. ³⁰Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!”

Joab confronts Absalom, who demands either full judgment or full audience, and Joab carries the message to David. David summons Absalom, who bows before him, and the king kisses him.

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.

Section summaryAbsalom lives for two more years in Jerusalem without access to David, and the unresolved distance hardens into action. By forcing Joab to respond, he gains an audience with the king, and the chapter ends with a formal gesture of reconciliation.

Role in the chapterThis closing section completes the movement from exile to restored presence. It also shows that reconciliation comes only after pressure, underlining how strained and unstable the royal household still is.