King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 14:18 Mean?

2 Samuel 14:18 in the King James Version says “Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the ... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

2 Samuel 14:18 · KJV


Context

16

For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.

17

Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. comfortable: Heb. for rest to discern: Heb. to hear

18

Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

19

And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:

20

To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 20 words
וַיַּ֣עַן1 of 20

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃2 of 20

Then the king

H4428

a king

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙3 of 20

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל4 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה5 of 20

thee And the woman

H802

a woman

אַל6 of 20
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

נָ֨א7 of 20
H4994

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

תְכַֽחֲדִ֤י8 of 20

Hide

H3582

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙9 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

דָּבָ֔ר10 of 20

not from me I pray thee the thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָֽנֹכִ֖י12 of 20
H595

i

שֹׁאֵ֣ל13 of 20

that I shall ask

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

אֹתָ֑ךְ14 of 20
H853

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

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙15 of 20

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה16 of 20

thee And the woman

H802

a woman

יְדַבֶּר17 of 20

now speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

נָ֖א18 of 20
H4994

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

אֲדֹנִ֥י19 of 20

Let my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃20 of 20

Then the king

H4428

a king


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 14:18 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 14:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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