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2 Samuel 14 · Grade 4

Half a Welcome

Name Date

Read and Think

Joab perceived that David longed for Absalom. He arranged for a wise woman of Tekoa to come to the king with a made-up case. She pretended to be a widow whose only remaining son was in danger because he had killed his brother. When David promised to protect the son, she turned the story toward the king himself.

She spoke of life as water spilled on the ground that cannot be gathered again. Then she said that God does not take away life, but devises means so that he who is banished is not an outcast from Him. David guessed that Joab had put the words in her mouth, but he agreed to bring Absalom home.

Yet David gave only half a welcome. Absalom was told to go to his own house and not see the king's face. Two years passed. When Joab would not come to him, Absalom had Joab's barley field set on fire to get his attention. Finally Joab spoke to the king, and David received Absalom with a kiss. But the chapter leaves us wondering whether their hearts were truly reconciled.

Show What You Know

  1. What did the wise woman pretend to be?

  2. What did she compare life to?

  3. How did Absalom get Joab's attention?

  4. How did David finally receive Absalom?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

Absalomwisewaterbanished
  1. Joab perceived that David longed for .
  2. He arranged for a woman of Tekoa to come to the king with a made-up case.
  3. She spoke of life as spilled on the ground that cannot be gathered again.
  4. Then she said that God does not take away life, but devises means so that he who is is not an outcast from Him.

Think About It

  1. God devises means so that the banished is not an outcast from Him. How does God make a way for people to come back to Him?

  2. David brought Absalom home but kept him at a distance. Why is true forgiveness more than just letting someone near?

Memory Verse

“For we must die, and are like water spilled on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.”

2 Samuel 14:14 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for making a way back to You. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What is the difference between letting someone come home and truly forgiving them?
  • How can you welcome a friend who feels left out?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.