“Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah perceived that the king missed Avshalom;”
-2 Samuel 14:1
While Avishalom was chilling with his mother’s side of the family in Geshur, David was in torment over the murder of Amnon, his firstborn son.
Of course, the loss of any child was tragic.
But the loss of a firstborn was particularly devastating.
Why?
In Hebrew society, and per the Torah, a firstborn male child held the highest status.
Nevertheless, after three years, it seems like David finally overcame his grief over Amnon’s death.
Now, the opening verses of chapter 14 (per our English Bibles with their faulty chapter divisions) tell us that David missed or longed for Avishalom.
This is specifically referring to those 3 years when Avishalom was in Geshur.
Okay, so right here, I need to call out a faulty translation.
Let’s look at the original Hebrew.
וַיֵּדַע יוֹאָב בֶּן-צְרוּיָה, כִּי־לֵב הַמֶּלֶךְ עַל־אַבְשָׁלוֹם.
Here’s the transliteration:
Vayedaʿ Yo’av ben-Tz’ruyah ki-lev ha-melekh ʿal-Avshalom.
Take note of the words I bolded, which are LEV and AL-AVISHALOM.
Normally, Christian scholars translate LEV to mean “heart.”
They’re wrong.
I’ve already gone over this a million times.
Understand that in the Biblical era, the “heart” was considered to be the seat of our rational thought processes.
In other words, the “heart” meant the “mind” as we understand it today.
Ya feeling me?
So my point is, when Christian scholars read that David’s LEV was AL-AVISHALOM, they immediately assume it means something like…
“David longed for Absalom”…
Or…
“David missed Absalom”…
Or some variation of that notion.
But here’s the truth, homies.
The real meaning, based on the original Hebrew, is the exact opposite.
Lemme explain.
The key is in the word AL.
While it can mean “on” or “about,” it often means “against.”
So what was going on in David’s mind (not heart) was NOT that he was longing for Absalom.
Quite the contrary, homies.
He was dead set against him.
Keep in mind that Absalom was the one who instigated the murder of his beloved firstborn son.
On top of that, would it make sense that David would refuse to speak to Avishalom for three long years if he really longed after him?
And even when Absalom returned, David still refused to see him for another 2 years (2 Samuel 14:28).
Ya feel me here?
Now I get that to say David’s heart was fully against Absalom may be too binary of an interpretation.
For sure, he was probably feeling a complex mix of justice, grief, guilt, political caution, and fatherly affection.
Yet even the highly respected 19th-century Jewish biblical scholar Alfred Edersheim sides with the position I presented here.
So the bottom line?
Translating “lev ha-melekh al-Avshalom” as “the king’s heart was against Absalom” is the accurate translation given the context.
Next, we’re told Joab correctly perceived what was going on in David’s mind (not heart) and decided to take steps to do something about it.
The question is, why?
That’s what we’ll get into the next time we meet.
Det. 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Luk. 10:27 And he (Jesus) answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
Bases on Jesus’ comments and confirmation of the Law.
By the way, my name is Bro. Tony Tudela, not Hommy!
Keep the words clean and holy.
Reading the word of God, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, must be in the Spirit, and not in the letter. The words I speak are “Spirit,” and the natural man does not understand them.
2Co 3:6 ¶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.
It’s my tongue-in-cheek way of being playful and humorous.
Lighten up.
Men of God never play with the word of God.
Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at His word;
2Sa 14:1 ¶ Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom. KJV
2Sa 14:1 ¶ And Joab son of Zeruial knoweth that the heart of the king is on Absalom, YLT
I didn’t find the word, ‘against” in either translation. The Heb.#3920 from the Strong’s Hebrew. Leb,
Search for 03820 in KJV
A form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
What was your point?
My point is exactly what I wrote in this article.
I thought I clearly stated it.
David’s mind (NOT heart) was set AGAINST Absalom.
But your scripture was exactly correct; that was my point.
David’s Heart/Soul wasn’t against his son Absalom, or this next verse wouldn’t have been the case otherwise!
2Sa 13:39 And the soul of King David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
Besides, it’s the Soul that contains the Mind, Will and Heart within it. Study the Tabernacle in the Holy Place. There are three pieces of furniture, can you figure out which ones are the types and shadow of the three?
You’re a Rabi and knoweth not theses thing?
I’m not a Rabbi, nor have I ever said I was one.
That was mocking your zeal for your Jewishness. Why don’t you focus on the Gospels, the New Testament, and especially Jesus, the Person who saved you and us?
Now, back to the point, neither David’s heart nor mind was against Absalom as you misquoted. That’s why I sent you the contrary, 2 Samuel 39:13, which proves that your scripture context was incorrect.
The gospel is Jewish!
As for Absalom, and David’s “heart” (really mind) being against him, we shall have to agree to disagree, which I am totally cool with.
Rich, some people just want to fight and argue. Keep up the good work!
Appreciate the kind words, Karl. Be blessed.