Teks -- 2 Samuel 14:2 (NET)

14:2 So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning and put on garments for mourning. Don’t anoint yourself with oil. Instead, act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for some time.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Sa 14:2 - Anoint

As they used to do when they were out of a mourning state.

Clarke: 2Sa 14:2 - Joab sent to Tekoah

Joab sent to Tekoah - Tekoah, according to St. Jerome, was a little city in the tribe of Judah, about twelve miles from Jerusalem

There are several circumstances relative to this woman and her case which deserve to be noticed: -

1.    She was a widow, and therefore her condition of life was the better calculated to excite compassion

2.    She lived at some distance from Jerusalem, which rendered the case difficult to be readily inquired into; and consequently there was the less danger of detection

3.    She was advanced in years, as Josephus says, that her application might have the more weight

4.    She put on mourning, to heighten the idea of distress

5.    She framed a case similar to that in which David stood, in order to convince him of the reasonableness of sparing Absalom

6.    She did not make the similitude too plain and visible, lest the king should see her intention before she had obtained a grant of pardon. Thus her circumstances, her mournful tale, her widow’ s needs, her aged person, and her impressive manner, all combined to make one united impression on the king’ s heart. We need not wonder at her success. See Bishop Patrick.

TSK: 2Sa 14:2 - to Tekoah // mourning

to Tekoah : Tekoah was a city of Judah, situated, according to Eusebius and Jerome, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. Josephus says it was not far from the castle of Herodium; and Jerome ( Prologue to Amos ) says it stood on a hill six miles south from Bethlehem. Dr. Poccocke places it at the same distance; and says there are still considerable ruins on the top of a hill, which is about half a mile long and a furlong broad. 2Ch 11:6, 2Ch 20:20; Neh 3:5, Neh 3:27; Jer 6:1; Amo 1:1, Tekoa

mourning : 2Sa 11:26; Rth 3:3; Psa 104:15; Ecc 9:8; Mat 6:17

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Sa 14:2 - Tekoah // A wise woman // Anoint not thyself with oil

Tekoah a city of Judah, 2Ch 11:5,6 . One of Jerusalem was not convenient, lest the king might know the person, or search out the business. And besides, this woman seems to be of great eminency for her wisdom, as the following discourse manifests.

A wise woman rather than a man, because women can more easily express their passions, and do sooner procure pity in their miseries, and an answer to their requests.

Anoint not thyself with oil as they used to do when they were out of a mourning state. See Rth 3:3 Mat 6:17 .

Haydock: 2Sa 14:2 - Thecua

Thecua, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. (St. Jerome) ---

Joab causes this unknown woman to come from the country to conceal his design, (Calmet) hoping that Absalom would be his father's successor. (Menochius)

Gill: 2Sa 14:2 - And Joab sent to Tekoah // and fetched thence a wise woman // and said unto her, I pray thee feign thyself to be a mourner // and put on now mourning apparel // and anoint not thyself with oil // but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead

And Joab sent to Tekoah,.... Which Kimchi says was a city in the tribe of Asher, and others in the tribe of Benjamin, but it seems rather to be in the tribe, of Judah, 2Ch 11:5; according Jerom ^s, it was twelve miles from Jerusalem, though in another place ^t he says it was but nine; of this place was Amos, and some think ^u the woman after mentioned was his grandmother. It was proper to lay the scene of the affair to be proposed to the king at some distance, that it might not soon and easily be inquired into:

and fetched thence a wise woman; one much advanced in years, as Josephus says ^w, whose years had taught her wisdom by experience; a woman of good sense, and of a good address, apt at expression and reply, and knew how to manage an affair committed to her; and among other things, perhaps, was famous for acting the part of a mourner at funerals, for which sometimes women were hired; however, she was one that was talked of for her wisdom and prudence, and Joab having heard of her, sent for her as one for his purpose. The Jews ^x say, that Tekoah was the first place in the land of Israel for oil, and because the inhabitants were much used to oil, wisdom was found among them:

and said unto her, I pray thee feign thyself to be a mourner; a woman of a sorrowful spirit, and in great distress, and show it by cries and tears:

and put on now mourning apparel; black clothes, such as mourners usually wore:

and anoint not thyself with oil; as used to be done in times of feasting and rejoicing, to make them look smooth, and gay, and cheerful, and of which there might be much use at Tekoah, if so famous for oil:

but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead; her countenance pale and foul with weeping, her mourning clothes almost worn out, &c.