2 So he sent to Tekoa for a wise woman who lived there and instructed her, "Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in black and don't comb your hair, so you'll look like you've been grieving over a dead loved one for a long time. 3 Then go to the king and tell him this . . . " Joab then told her exactly what to say. 4 The woman of Tekoa went to the king, bowed deeply before him in homage, and said, "O King, help!"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:2-4
Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:1-20
(Read 2 Samuel 14:1-20)
We may notice here, how this widow pleads God's mercy, and his clemency toward poor guilty sinners. The state of sinners is a state of banishment from God. God pardons none to the dishonour of his law and justice, nor any who are impenitent; nor to the encouragement of crimes, or the hurt of others.