The Wise Woman of Tekoah

II Samuel 14:13-14

And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished. For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

Absalom was King David’s third son (II Samuel 3:3), and he was the most handsome young man without a blemish (II Samuel 14:25). David’s oldest son Amnon, involved in an evil act against Absalom’s Sister Tamar. Absalom avenged his sister Tamar by killing Amnon, his half-brother. After this, Absalom fled and went to Geshur and was there three years (II Samuel 13:38). King David’s soul longed for Absalom but the King forbid his son’s re-entry into Jerusalem.

Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was the captain of King David’s army. He perceived that the King’s heart was toward Absalom (II Samuel 14:1) although he was guilty of fratricide. In a way, David banished his son Absalom from entering the kingdom and did not extend his grace for the return of his son. Joab came up with a plan to fetch home King David’s banished son, Absalom. He appointed a wise woman from Tekoah and put the right words in her mouth to explain King David the importance of bringing Absalom back into Jerusalem.

The wise woman of Tekoah feigned herself as a widow mourning the loss of her husband and one of her two sons. She narrated a story wherein her two sons revolted against each other and one slew the other. The whole family rose up against her to deliver her only living son so that they could kill him. She won the favor of the King to protect her only heir, who alone has the potential to leave her husband his name. The King promised that he will not allow one hair of her son to fall to the earth. Having won King’s favor, she sought his permission to speak unto the king.

She boldly says that by judging this the king was guilty for not bringing home his son Absalom. She brought home the point that King has to make an effort to bring back his banished son. She further explains that one day every human being has to die. We are all like water spilled on ground that cannot be gathered again. But God doesn’t operate that way. He gathers us back even when we go astray. Adam and Eve committed the sin of not heeding the commandment of God to refrain from eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. By disobeying God they committed what is called “SIN”. Sin separates man from God. They were banished from the beautiful Garden of Eden by doing so. Although all our actions are only worthy of separation from God, God still loves us so much that He longs to see us abiding with Him forever. God so loved us that He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ so that we could be united with God forever. Christ paid the price on the Cross once for all, for the entire human race so that we through Him might gain eternal life. God’s plan of salvation brings us (the banished from the beautiful Garden of Eden) back in communion with God eternally!

The Wise Woman of Tekoah says, “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” This speaks that this wise woman discerned the heart of God, His love for us, His enormous grace unto us, and His desire to bring us in unison with Him. She articulated her speech so well that she was able to home in on the mission, just perfectly. Joab chose the woman who was best fit for this mission. This woman was the mouth of God to King David and is also unto us. She carried the message of salvation in this simple speech. God is not a respector of persons (Romans 2:11) and that His will is that none should perish but that everyone should come to the knowledge of repentance and embrace the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ! Will you be the mouth of God to the people around you?

We all should be the mouth of God by speaking the words of life to everyone, we should be the hands of God by helping those in need, we should see each other with the eyes of Jesus Christ, we should refrain from evil thoughts and our entire being will be transformed by God if we yield to His work in our lives. Yes, we are all human beings that are prone to wander from our First Love (God), yet when we reflect on God, He will expose the areas of our lives that need God’s refining process. Are you yielding to God by resisting the enemy (Satan) or are you resisting God and yielding to the enemy? This message spoke to my heart directly and I long to die to my flesh everyday so that the Spirit of God will manifest in me. Lord, have your way in me and in all of us! Selah…