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וישׁלח7971 יואב3097 תקועה8620 ויקח3947 משׁם8033 אשׁה802 חכמה2450 ויאמר559 אליה413 התאבלי56  נא4994  ולבשׁי3847 נא4994 בגדי899 אבל60  ואל408  תסוכי5480  שׁמן8081  והיית1961  כאשׁה802  זה2088  ימים3117  רבים7227  מתאבלת56  על5921  מת׃4191  

2Sa 11:26 Ru 3:3 Ps 104:15 Ec 9:8 Mt 6:17

Verse 2. 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.

Ver. 2. And Joab sent to Tekoah , etc.] 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, ( 2 Chronicles 11:5,6); according Jerom f235 , it was twelve miles from Jerusalem, though in another place he says it was but nine; of this place was Amos, and some think 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 f238 , 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 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, etc.

וישׁלח7971 יואב3097 תקועה8620 ויקח3947 משׁם8033 אשׁה802 חכמה2450 ויאמר559 אליה413 התאבלי56  נא4994  ולבשׁי3847 נא4994 בגדי899 אבל60  ואל408  תסוכי5480  שׁמן8081  והיית1961  כאשׁה802  זה2088  ימים3117  רבים7227  מתאבלת56  על5921  מת׃4191