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:

2 SAMUEL 14:2KJV
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2 Samuel 14:2 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 14:2 mean?

2 Samuel 14:2 describes how Joab sent someone to the town of Tekoah to bring back a wise woman. Joab asked her to pretend to be a mourner by wearing mourning clothes, not using oil for her skin, and acting as if she had been grieving for a long time over someone who had died.

Joab, a commander under King David, is trying to set up a situation using this woman’s wisdom and acting skills. He wants her to approach David in a way that will get his attention and sympathy, using the appearance and customs of deep mourning to make her story believable. This is part of a larger plan Joab has to influence David’s decisions about his son Absalom.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 14:2

  • "Wise" (חָכָם, ḥākām): This word means more than just smart; it often refers to practical wisdom or skill, especially in handling delicate situations. Joab chooses someone known for her ability to navigate complex matters.
  • "Mourner" (אָבֵל, ’āvel) and "Mourning" (אֵבֶל, ’ēvel): These words are about public grieving, which in ancient Israel involved specific clothing and behaviors. Joab’s instructions make sure her appearance matches her story.
  • "Anoint" (סוּךְ, sûkh) and "Oil" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen): Anointing with oil was a sign of normal life and even joy. By telling her not to use oil, Joab wants her to look as if she has been in sorrow for a long time, since mourners would avoid such comforts.

Why 2 Samuel 14:2 matters

  • This verse shows how Joab uses careful planning and understanding of social customs to influence King David, rather than confronting him directly.
  • The detail about the woman’s mourning clothes and behavior highlights how important outward signs of grief were in ancient Israel, and how they could be used to communicate a message without words.
  • Understanding this setup helps make sense of the story that follows, where the woman’s actions and words play a key role in moving David’s heart regarding Absalom.

Where else these words appear

“Tekoah” Hebrew H8620 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:24 And after that Hezron was dead in Calebephratah, then Abiah Hezron's wife bare him Ashur the father of Tekoa.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:6 He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
  • Jeremiah 6:1 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

“anoint” Hebrew H5480 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.
  • 2 Samuel 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
  • Ezekiel 16:9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

“mourning” Hebrew H60 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
  • Esther 9:22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
  • Jeremiah 16:7 Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.

“mourner” Hebrew H56 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
  • Jeremiah 23:10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.