Chapter 14 of the Book of 2 Samuel in the King James Version (KJV) recounts a story involving Joab, King David's military commander, and a wise woman from Tekoah. The chapter begins with Joab noticing that David is grieving over his son Absalom's banishment after he killed his brother Amnon. Joab decides to intervene and devises a plan to help reconcile David and Absalom.
Joab sends a woman from Tekoah to David, pretending to be a widow seeking the king's judgment. The woman tells David a fictional story about her two sons fighting, resulting in one killing the other. She begs David for mercy and requests that the king allows her remaining son to live. David initially refuses, but the woman persists, emphasizing the importance of family and the possibility of extinguishing her husband's name. Eventually, David sympathizes with her and promises to protect her son.
Recognizing the woman's wisdom, David asks her if Joab is behind this plan. The woman admits that Joab put her up to it. David sends for Joab, who returns and advises the king to bring Absalom back. Reluctantly, David agrees, and Absalom is eventually allowed to return to Jerusalem, though David refuses to see him for two years.