I saw a funny commercial about a year ago where the woman was looking quite seriously into the camera as she stated, “My husband told me he wants a divorce.” He quickly chimes in defensively, “I did not say that! I said you could not get another dog.” (Or something like that.)
I don’t remember the exact verbiage, but I remember it amused me. And it made me think of the old saying “Don’t put words in my mouth”.
President George W. Bush once said, “I don’t particularly like it when people put words in my mouth, either, by the way, unless I say it.”
To put words in someone's mouth means to ascribe a quote or a sentiment to someone that is not truly theirs; to say that someone said something that he didn't say, to say that someone believes something that he doesn't believe. The phenomenon of putting words in someone's mouth often happens in politics. (Source: Grammarist dot com)
We have been looking at idioms all this month and this makes #21. And not just any old idiom, because there are many, these all have their roots in the Bible.
“Don’t put words in my mouth” comes from 2 Samuel chapter 14 and the story of Absalom returning to Jerusalem.
“Now Joab the son of Zeruiah knew that the king's heart went out to Absalom. And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and said to her, “Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning garments. Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead. Go to the king and speak thus to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.” 2 Samuel 14:1-3 ESV
So Joab put the words in her mouth.
To go back, after King David's great sin with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband Uriah, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David.
Nathan rebuked David for his actions and told. Him of the consequences that would come to his family as a result of his sin.
In 2 Samuel 14, we find that David's son Absalom, who was previously banished for killing his half-brother Amnon (in retaliation for Amnon's rape of their sister Tamar), has been in exile for three years.
David deeply mourned the absence of his son and longed to bring him back to Jerusalem, but he hesitated because Absalom was technically a murderer and could have been sentenced to death according to the law.
To resolve this situation and pave the way for Absalom's return, Joab, David's chief general, comes up with a plan. He sends for a wise woman from the town of Tekoa to appeal to the king. This woman is skilled in using persuasive words and emotions to present her case.
When she comes before King David, the woman pretends to be a grieving widow. She tells David a tragic story about how her two sons had a quarrel in the field, and one killed the other. Now, the whole family is pressuring her to hand over the remaining son so they can execute him for the murder.
David was moved by the woman's plight and promised to protect her remaining son from any harm. He assured her that he would not let anyone harm him and that he would. Not allow a relative to seek revenge by killing him.
Eventually the wise woman of Tekoa revealed the true purpose of her story. She told David that he was acting hypocritically because he was not willing to show the same mercy to his own banished son Absalom. The woman then emphasized the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation within a family.
David realized that Joab had orchestrated this whole scenario, and he saw the wisdom in the woman's words. He decided to recall Absalom from exile, though he still would not allow him to come to the palace. Absalom lived in Jerusalem but was not allowed to meet with his father.
The chapter ends with Absalom's return to Jerusalem, but there is much more to the story and what happens next will set the stage for a tragic turn of events in David's family and kingdom.
But for today, what can we take form this story? More than anything it serves as a moral lesson about the importance of forgiveness, mercy, and addressing family issues with wisdom and understanding.
So, next time you hear the phrase, “don’t put words in my mouth” remember this story and the importance of forgiveness.
by Jeanette Stark – Thursday, July 27, 2023
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