Leadership Verses
Servant leadership as modeled by Christ — wisdom for those called to lead.
And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. {thanked: Heb. blessed} {his servant: or, thy servant}
And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.
And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled {it}: because {the hair} was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.
Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. {near...: Heb. near my place}
Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto {his} house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? {it had been} good for me {to have been} there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be {any} iniquity in me, let him kill me.
So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was {so}, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city {art} thou? And he said, Thy servant {is} of one of the tribes of Israel. {came: Heb. to come}
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters {are} good and right; but {there is} no man {deputed} of the king to hear thee. {there...: or, none will hear thee from the king downward}