King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 14:11 Mean?

2 Samuel 14:11 in the King James Version says “Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth. that: Heb. that the revenger of blood do not multiply to destroy”

2 Samuel 14:11 · KJV

Prayer

Context

9

And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

10

And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.

11

Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth. that: Heb. that the revenger of blood do not multiply to destroy

12

Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

13

And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.

Read 2 Samuel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Return, emphasizing incomplete reconciliation. Joab's elaborate scheme to restore Absalom demonstrates human wisdom that undermines divine purposes. The partial reconciliation (Absalom returns but doesn't see David's face) proves insufficient for genuine restoration. Theological themes include the inadequacy of human reconciliation methods apart from genuine repentance, the danger of manipulation even for apparently good ends, and the necessity of complete rather than partial restoration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 14 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding incomplete reconciliation provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of incomplete reconciliation?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 23

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִזְכָּר2 of 23

“remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

נָ֨א3 of 23
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ4 of 23

“she I pray thee let the king”

H4428

a king

אֶת5 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 23

“As the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ7 of 23

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מֵֽהַרְבִּי֞ת8 of 23

“any more”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

גֹּאֵ֤ל9 of 23

“that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers”

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

הַדָּם֙10 of 23

“of blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

לְשַׁחֵ֔ת11 of 23

“to destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

וְלֹ֥א12 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַשְׁמִ֖ידוּ13 of 23

“lest they destroy”

H8045

to desolate

אֶת14 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֵ֖ךְ15 of 23

“my son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙16 of 23

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חַי17 of 23

“liveth”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

יְהוָ֔ה18 of 23

“As the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אִם19 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִפֹּ֛ל20 of 23

“fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

מִשַּֽׂעֲרַ֥ת21 of 23

“there shall not one hair”

H8185

hairiness

בְּנֵ֖ךְ22 of 23

“my son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָֽרְצָה׃23 of 23

“to the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 14:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 14:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 14:45Matthew 10:30Numbers 35:19Numbers 35:21Deuteronomy 19:4-10Acts 27:34

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